Local Graphic Designer Brings Preds Black History Month Jerseys to Life

Eric Jackson was in the middle of his third year teaching graphic design at Tennessee State University when he received a surprising email.
The note was from Nashville Predators Graphic Designer Courtney Gilliam - a former student of Jackson's from his days at Middle Tennessee State University.
Gilliam asked Jackson if he'd be interested in designing a special jersey that would be worn by the team during warmups before their Black History Month game on Tuesday, Feb. 7.
Jackson,
a designer himself
and an avid hockey fan who's followed the Preds since their inaugural season in 1998-99, jumped at the unique opportunity.
After all, it isn't every day you get to design an NHL sweater for your home team - let alone one with such a significant purpose.
"It ties back to connection," Jackson said. "As Nashville grows, as the community grows and as the Predators organization grows on and off the ice, it's an opportunity to connect and be more familiar with and grow with the community… Because when we do that, that helps us to understand each other even more, which should lead to us being better together as a community. And we're always better together."

For inspiration, Jackson drew upon the designs of traditional Kente cloth, a fabric originating from the Ewe and Ashanti tribes of Ghana, West Africa.
Originally worn by royalty and during special occasions, Kente weaves intricate patterns and bright colors together to tell a unique story.
"Kente, in a nutshell, is a message," Jackson said. "When a person sees it, there's an understanding they can clearly see that may tie back to a specific tribe, or royalty or a last name. And that's of course something that's very significant that came from the Ewe and Ashanti tribes."
When designing the Preds' Kente jersey, Jackson wanted to tell the story of the team and the city they call home.
The interwoven mosaic maze pattern, or "zig-zag," traditionally represents overcoming obstacles - a design choice fitting for both the city and its team.
"I [was thinking] about the Nashville Predators, the Nashville community and the things that we have encountered in the past several years," Jackson said. "We're still going and we have definitely overcome so many different obstacles. And I thought that was very well representative of the Predators as well as they continue to climb and become a better team and hopefully one day bring home that Stanley Cup."
The interlocking "X" design found in both sets of patterns on the jersey is a nod to the Obaakofo Mmu Man Kente design, which literally translates to "One man does not rule a nation."
The translation historically represents the participatory system of government of Ghana's Akan people, though also naturally lends itself to hockey, where the best teams find success throughout a 23-man roster.
The design also features three main colors, all of which trace back to Kente's traditional designs.
Gold, of course, serves as the design's primary color and represents wealth and royalty.
Black, the "most significant and incorporated color of Kente," represents spiritual strength and maturity.
And finally there's maroon, which represents Mother Earth, healing and protection from evil.
Jackson's special jerseys will be auctioned off by the Nashville Predators Foundation empowered by SmileDirectClub, with the proceeds benefiting GUIDER - the Preds initiative promoting diversity and inclusion - and the Foundation grants program, which will fund a non-profit organization working in Nashville's African-American community.
Fans looking to bid on the jerseys can do so starting Tuesday by texting Preds to 76278.
Additionally, T-shirts featuring the design will be available for purchase at the Nashville Locker Room team store during the game, while supplies last.