Jordan Wings Marks 10 Years of Impact With New Programs, Scholarships and Anniversary Air Jordan 5

Jordan Brand is celebrating a decade of global impact through its Wings initiative: launching a new chapter in London, kicking off a fresh partnership in Paris, and releasing a special 10th anniversary Wings Air Jordan 5 — all while awarding scholarships to more than 350 students in the U.S., Philippines and China.

These steps signal the continued growth of the cornerstone Wings initiative and Jordan Brand’s commitment to providing youth access to education, mentorship and inspiration in key basketball culture hubs around the world.

“The Wings program 10-year anniversary is one of the milestones I am the proudest to have been a part of,” says Howard White, VP, Jordan Brand. “To have a true legacy of greatness, it should start with education. Wings has provided opportunities to more than 4,000 scholars around the world, allowing them to take their potential to the next level and truly help shape the future.”

The Wings initiative is one of Jordan Brand’s key global, social and community impact initiatives, inspired by Michael Jordan’s legacy of greatness and his personal passion for education and its transformative effect on communities.

The Wings expansion into London will further those ideals through programming that raises the profile of basketball in a football-dominated city, inspiring the next generation to achieve greatness in life and sport. In partnership with the Hoopsfix Foundation, the Wings initiative’s Beyond Basketball program will engage young South London hoopers in multiple days of sport and education opportunities.

In Paris, the Wings initiative will partner with Union de la Jeunesse Internationale (UJI) to empower the organization to expand its impact within the region, focusing on youth diaspora communities. By investing in education, mentorship and organizational development, the partnership aims to empower UJI to scale its work and create even more pathways for young people who are often excluded from mainstream opportunities.

“For the past decade, the Wings initiative has empowered thousands of young minds all over the world, paving a way for future leaders,” says Sarah Mensah, President, Jordan Brand. “From basketball to design, from scholars to interns, we are empowering youth to achieve greatness on their own terms.”

This year’s class of over 350 Wings Scholars — from Charlotte, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, Manila and 33 Chinese cities — will join a global community of more than 4,000 students who have been empowered through the program over the past decade. This aligns with Jordan Brand’s commitment, through the Wings initiative, to providing a track for students to be successful in higher education, with a focus on creative fields, teaching, coaching and sport.

In addition to the thousands of scholarships awarded through the Scholars Program over the past decade, the Wings initiative’s Intern Program has also placed 36 students in NIKE, Inc. internships around the world. Further, more than 1,400 students have completed the Wings Design Program, which serves as a launchpad for youth with creative passions or ambitions — whether they dream of pursuing design school, launching their own brand or creating products for social change.

These Wings efforts are powered by 28 global community partners alongside Jordan Brand and Nike employees who have contributed more than 146,000 volunteer hours over the past 10 years.

“Over the next 10 years, the Wings program will play an even more pivotal role in tackling education challenges,” says Cameryn Rutlin, Director of Purpose, Wings. “We will deepen our commitment to providing access to quality education and resources, particularly in communities that need it most. This includes expanding our reach to more cities and launching new programs, advocating for positive changes, and continuing to collaborate through partnerships to address evolving educational needs. Our goal is to be a leading force driving a generational legacy forward. By 2035, we are committed to empowering over 10,000 students to follow their dreams.”

To mark the 10th anniversary of the Wings initiative, Jordan Brand is launching a special Air Jordan 5 silhouette dedicated to a decade of breaking barriers and enabling others to fly.

The Wings Air Jordan 5 takes on a tin and aluminum colorway, alluding to traditional gifts for a 10-year anniversary, and features a nod to the Jumpman way on the toe: “In the Family, No One Flies Alone.” A Wings Jumpman logo replaces the usual Nike Air embroidery at the heel, and a reference to the 10-year Wings milestone is swapped for the traditional “23” on the foxing.

The interior of the tongue includes a Wings label, and the outsole features Michael Jordan’s handprint with all five fingers outstretched. When placed together, the outsoles of the two shoes complete the number 10, a nod to a decade of the Wings initiative. Meanwhile, a Wings 10-year logo charm and graduation cap tassel celebrate the milestone anniversary and the thousands of students achieving greatness through Wings programming and scholarships.

"Our latest AJ5 is more than just a shoe; it’s a testament to the journey,” says Rutlin. “It’s a symbol of the Wings initiative continuing to soar toward becoming a generational beacon of access, equity and opportunity for all to dream and believe in something far greater than they can see.”

The Wings Air Jordan 5 will be available globally in women’s and men’s sizing July 16 on SNKRS.