The Global Design Capstone, titled "One City. One Sport," invites participants to explore the intersection of local traditions and modern athletic demands. Starting August 24, selected designers will work in interdisciplinary teams to create concepts inspired by four distinct hubs: basketball in Paris, cricket in Delhi, football in Rio de Janeiro, and baseball in Tokyo. The program focuses specifically on designs for female athletes, requiring students to bridge the gap between high-performance functionality and cultural storytelling.

Beyond traditional coursework, the program operates as a direct pipeline for workforce development. Participants will utilize PLC Detroit’s Concept Maker Labs to build prototypes, receiving mentorship from New Balance professionals throughout the process. For Dr. D'Wayne Edwards, president of the design-focused HBCU, the initiative is about more than just technical skill; it is about preparing designers to navigate a global marketplace by understanding how consumers live. Applications for the cohort remain open until July 26, with the final prototypes slated for presentation on October 29.