Nationwide — Queen Tahj Williams, a 26-year-old African American lady from New Orleans, is making historical past as the primary artist to design each the Tremendous Bowl brand and its theme artwork. Her beadwork, which honors the Black Masking custom, highlights the wealthy cultural heritage of New Orleans on a worldwide stage.
Williams, a member of the Golden Eagles Tribe, created a hand-beaded design for Tremendous Bowl LIX, impressed by the centuries-old Black Masking custom. This cultural apply includes intricate beadwork on fits worn throughout festivals like Mardi Gras, celebrating neighborhood and resilience — themes mirrored in her Tremendous Bowl art work.
“This partnership is a dream come true and a chance to share the fantastic thing about Black Masking tradition with the world,” Williams mentioned, in response to Essence.
Williams additionally has a private connection to soccer, having been the one woman and captain of her center faculty soccer group. She mentioned, “Soccer has performed an amazing position in my life by instructing me to give attention to my goals with out worrying about what society thinks is for ladies or boys. It’s the identical spirit of dedication that shapes my work at present.”
The NFL’s collaboration with Williams goals to showcase New Orleans’ distinctive tradition throughout Tremendous Bowl LIX. Her designs will likely be featured on digital sport tickets, official program covers, and huge public shows throughout New Orleans, bringing Black artistry to the forefront of the occasion.
“We knew from the beginning that we wished this 12 months’s theme artwork to seize the essence of New Orleans,” mentioned NFL senior vp of world model and shopper advertising and marketing Marissa Solis. “Queen Tahj’s deep connection to her neighborhood and extraordinary expertise made her the right artist for this undertaking.”