August 1985, and a worldwide superstar meets a local legend; Michael Jordan comes to London to visit the Brixton Topcats.

Fresh from a dazzling first season in the NBA and a Rookie of the Year title, Michael was fast becoming one of the most iconic names in global sports. That off-season he was invited by legendary coach Jimmy Rogers to visit the Brixton Recreation Centre in South London, and train with the Topcats: the youth team Jimmy had founded the year before.

Informally dubbed “The Bishop of Brixton” by locals, Jimmy’s tireless commitment to his community mirrors Brixton’s wider radical history of protest and uprisings against racism, police intervention and political exclusion, and the DIY spirit in Black British culture. Now a new generation, still inspired by Jimmy’s community work, are uncovering new forms of excellence.

As part of their campaign for Black History Month, Air Jordan produced “Flight Of Defiance” – a documentary short focusing on Michael Jordan’s iconic visit to Brixton in 1985. From the Brixton Topcats to the wider history of Black British communities and the role of sport, music and culture in forging those collective identities, this was a bold, innovative project to bring Nike’s social
commitments to life.

I provided archive research, conceptual development and scripting, but also produced a broad range of associated copy for the Nike website and app, as well as press releases and marketing collateral, as part of a wide-ranging creative brief