🗣️This Week on CNK: It's A'bout Time

…MAKING SURE OUR SUCCESS HAS DEEP ROOTS CONNECTED TO OUR STORY.

When you’re solving for a challenge in any industry, you have to center your business into your WHY. That secret sauce starts with your origin story. The CNK story is so important to us, and comes from a lack of representation and accessibility. We wanted to create the change we needed to see so many years ago.

Before we dive into this week’s happenings, wanted to let you in on a little secret. We are finalists in the Black Girl Ventures pitch competition. In a little over a week, we will be in Austin, Texas telling our unique story. More to come. We ride at dawn!

We are back with another edition of CNK’s weekly musings influenced by the state of sneaker culture. We are here to keep it a buck with the good, the bad, and the ‘what are thoseeeee’ moments. Think of this as your dose of the extended group chat.

For all our new subscribers, a timely reminder below.

This is where sneakers merge with cool girl, you-CAN-sit-with us energy. All of that comes with a service-first mindset + sharing information + a team of people who genuinely care A LOT. If you’re here for people first and product second, you’ve come to the right place.

If you’re feeling it, feel free to share and care.

🛒 What’s in our carts?

We have to stop right here and say why in the HECK do we have to go to the ends of the earth to find an adidas Samba?!!!! We don’t think we saw this on our 2024 bingo card.

On the Swoosh frontlines, we are checking out this WMNS Dunk Low in “Shimmer and Amber Brown’. It appears to have a furry suede and textures add something extra. The colorway isn’t too shabby either.

On the New Balance side of the house, this ‘grey day’ special serves up a quality NB 530, but this vibrant purple NB 993 is a must-have.

Now that we’ve shared our e-carts, it’s time to jump into some deets on the news front.

😏 Oh, you thought?

This was the vibe that Nike hit us with as the long-awaited, much anticipated A’ja Wilson signature shoe was announced.

Let’s throw it back just a bit. We would be lying if we said we didn’t question the timeline of A’ja getting a signature sneaker when we found out about Caitlyn Clark’s rookie deal. The thought crossed many minds and set the internet ablaze for many reasons. A’ja is one of the brightest stars in the WNBA and a two-time MVP. Despite the questions, A’ja dropped a tweet that reset the stage “Always remember what is delayed is not denied..”

Now we know what she meant.

With A’ja explaining that she put an intentional amount of thought into her design, we can’t wait to see what the sneaker (and apparel collection) look like. The collection is slated to release in 2025. What makes this even more of a big deal? A’ja will be the first Black woman to have a signature sneaker since Sheryl Swoopes. 😮

On another note, the buzz from the WNBA and women’s sports overall, is so refreshing. It’s just getting started.

👉🏽 Link to read more here.

✨ A chapter ends, but the story ain’t finished.

Candace Parker is all about leaving the game of basketball better than she found it. We would agree that she has done just that. Throughout her 16-year WNBA career, she has won three titles playing for three different teams. She announced her retirement recently, while also giving us the deets on her next role. President of Women’s Basketball at adidas. 👏🏽

Within a press release, Candace shared that her motivations moved past just ‘being a face’ for the Three Stripes. She wanted to integrate her talents right into the decision-making spaces at adidas. From footwear + apparel design decisions to athlete partnerships, Candace will have full autonomy to take WMNS basketball to new heights.

Candace released her signature shoe in 2010, the first to do so at adidas.

👉🏽 Link to read more here.

What’s been on your radar lately? Check out noteworthy reads below!

🗞 Did Drake vs. Kendrick impact sneaker sales or nah?

🗞 The Golden State WNBA expansion team has a name.

🗞 Angel Reese gives us the deets on why she chose Reebok

🔥 A Hot List

Our CNK Hot List is a weekly mini round-up of sneakers we’re paying attention to. Does anything stand out to you this week?

👉🏽 Link to read more here

🗣 Sometimes you just need a reminder.

2024 has taught us some hard lessons about resilience and rest. There is a time for both, but sometimes it’s just enough to know we showed up on any given day. Whether that’s at 100% or 10%, we are recognizing that daily rituals of self-care create the momentum to keep showing up.

It may be radical rest or the understanding that not all the blessings are positioned within the busyness. Whatever reflections you are up against this week, we want you to know that you’re more than enough.

Reply to this newsletter and let us know where we can support you and/or amplify your voice.

Have you ever had a less than perfect shopping experience (read: trash AF). We would love to hear about. WHY? Because as we are building something for our sneakHER community, it’s important to conduct our own research. Your voice matters.

Hit reply and share your story. What was your biggest pain point? What could have made the retail experience better?

Stay laced up. See y’all next week.