Sekou Thornell: Atlanta’s Soccer and Culture Connect
When adidas set out to spotlight the people shaping the future of soccer, it was only right they started in Atlanta—and even more right that they started with Sekou Thornell.
A creative force, connector, and co-founder of Kitboys Club, Sekou is being honored by adidas through a new short film that highlights his impact on the culture of the game, both in Atlanta and far beyond. For someone who’s spent the last decade embedding soccer into the rhythm of Black life—from the streets to the studio, from grassroots activations to global conversations—the recognition feels full circle.
But for Sekou, this moment isn’t about looking back. It’s about building what’s next.
The short film came together through what Sekou describes as a thoughtful and intentional process. adidas reached out over a year ago, initially discussing a simple community activation. But as the idea grew, so did the vision.
“When they came back this year with the full concept, it blew me away,” he says. “Not just because it was adidas, but because of the way they approached it—with real thought, care, and respect for our culture.”
The film explores Sekou’s work and philosophy: creating access, building infrastructure, and making soccer feel like home for Black communities. “To be recognized as a pinnacle of Black excellence in the space—it means a lot,” he adds. “But the biggest win is what this project allows us to give back.”
Atlanta: The Cultural Engine
Sekou speaks of Atlanta like it’s both a canvas and a compass. “This city has always been a proving ground for Black culture,” he says. “From civil rights to music, fashion, sports—you name it, Atlanta’s been pushing the culture forward.”
That spirit shows up in how the soccer scene has evolved too. Through Kitboys Club, BlackStar, and now with adidas behind him, Sekou is helping build the infrastructure that’s been missing: spaces where Black culture feels seen, represented, and empowered to take up space in the game.
And while Atlanta is the base, the blueprint is meant to scale.
“We stamp the flag here,” Sekou says, “but we’re building an ecosystem that can reach across the country.”
Kitboys Club: More Than Merch
What started as a fashion-forward brand inspired by global soccer aesthetics has become something much bigger. Kitboys Club now operates as an incubator for culturally adjacent experiences—combining sport, streetwear, music, and storytelling to shift the way the game is perceived and lived.
“We’re leaning back into experiential,” Sekou explains. “Boiler-room energy, gaming nights that feel like 2K tournaments, safe spaces where the Black community can fall in love with the game in our own way.”
The mission? Change the perception of soccer in the Black community—not by forcing it, but by reintroducing it through culture we already own.
Blackstar and the Roots of Purpose
While the spotlight may be on Kitboys and adidas now, Sekou is quick to give flowers to the place where his purpose crystalized: Blackstar Soccer.
“That program grounded me. It gave me the clearest vision of what impact really looks like,” he says. “It reminded me that access, equity, and real change happen on the grassroots level first.”
It’s the foundation he’s still building from today—whether it’s with adidas, local partners, or future collaborators who share the vision.
Inspiration for the next generation
For the young creatives coming up behind him, Sekou’s advice is grounded, not glamorous.
“Fall in love with the process. One foot in front of the other,” he says. “You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to keep going. The wins come, the impact comes, but only if you keep showing up.”
Sekou’s journey—from playing in the suburbs as a kid, to being featured in a global campaign by one of the biggest brands in sport—is proof that when Black culture shows up in soccer, it doesn’t just participate. It leads.
And Atlanta? Atlanta’s just getting started.
