January 11, 2023

ERIE OTTERS UNVEIL 2023 BLACK HISTORY LOGO, JERSEY

(Logo/Jersey Design: Jordan (Jo) Dabney, Photos: James ‘Jeep’ DiCioccio/Erie Otters)

Erie, Pennsylvania – On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Erie Otters will take the ice for pregame in a jersey inspired by Black history, culture, and excellence.

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The jersey & logo were fully conceptualized and designed by influential Black artist in the hockey community, Jordan (Jo) Dabney. The jerseys will debut at the Erie Otters’ second-annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day game, which serves as the catalyst of a month-plus long celebration of Black History Month. Jordan’s jersey and logo design were selected unanimously by council amongst many submissions received by a number of talented Black artists. The design incorporates iconography that celebrates the Black community as well as the city of Erie and the Otters organization.

“As a Black Woman hockey fan, I’ve learned that art and hockey help me connect with the communities I’m lucky enough to be in. My designs not only celebrate the Erie Otters in a new way, but explore the patterns and recreations of designs found specifically in Black American cultures.” said Dabney, “I chose the patterns and colors to represent a balance between celebration of the history of a culture, but soft, rounded designs to represent the hopefulness of a community’s future.”

Dabney has received critical acclaim for her creation of the “Black Rosie” logo and jersey used by the Professional Hockey Federation’s Metropolitan Riveters, as well as Black Rosie Media – a community for Black women and melanated creators in sports media. Dabney was also the artist behind Black Girl Hockey Club’s logo – an organization the Erie Otters have collaborated with in the past. Jo Dabney’s design will be utilized not only on the Otters’ Black History Month warmup jersey, but will also be part of a limited-run merchandise series by Erie-based clothing brand, Erie Apparel. Proceeds from the limited-run series, launching at the Martin Luther King. Jr Day Game, will go to benefit the non-profit organization Erie’s Black Wall Street.

During the entire month of February, the Otters and EBWS will collaborate on different educational workshops and activations to further educate and elevate Black voices and leaders off-and-on the ice. Executive Director & Co-Founder of Erie’s Black Wall Street Kyra Taylor spoke more on the importance of the partnership.

“We at Erie’s Black Wall Street strive to make sure Black people are represented and supported in all spaces, because we are not monolithic people. Thanks to the Erie Otters, we are breaking down one more barrier together.” said Taylor, “EBWS celebrates Black History daily, but thanks to the collaboration with the Erie Otters, we get to shed light on and recognize Black Excellence in the sport of hockey. “

The month of celebration culminates into Black Ice Night (pres. by Erie’s Black Wall Street), as the Erie Otters will take the ice one last time in the Black History Month signature jerseys created by Dabney. Following the game’s conclusion, the player-worn jerseys will be auctioned off, with all proceeds benefitting Erie’s Black Wall Street. AM2I2134

The Erie Otters would like to thank Jordan Dabney for her work in creating these celebratory jerseys, as well as Erie’s Black Wall Street and Erie Apparel (whose logos will be showcased on the jersey’s shoulders) for their partnership in our recognition of Black History Month. For more information on the Erie Otters’ celebrations of Black History during Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the entire month of February, please head to OttersHockey.com.

To see more work created by Jordan Dabney, the designer of the Erie Otters’ Black History Month logo & jersey, please head to her portfolio website, jodabneyart.carbonmade.com. The Erie Otters are proud to support Black artists, and are grateful to be able to utilize and recognize the design and artist.

Erie’s efforts and celebration for Black History Month are made possible alongside Erie’s Black Wall Street. Please consider a donation to EBWS’ effort in elevating and empowering Black Individuals, Businesses, and Organizations by heading to EriesBlackWallStreet.org. Erie’s Black Wall Street was founded to serve as a vehicle for change and empowerment of Erie’s Black Community through cultivating meaningful relationships, education of members, the creation of social networks and the promotion of black entrepreneurship.

Additional activations, events, and collaborations for the Erie Otters’ celebration of Black History Month are to-be announced, and all events are subject to change.

For the latest Otters news, visit OttersHockey.com, or follow the team on Facebook (Facebook.com/erieottershockey), Twitter (@ErieOtters), and Instagram (@ErieOtters).

For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Shawn Bednard at shawn.bednard@ottershockey.com.

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