Courtesy Adidas
Sekou Thornell could be considered a creative Swiss Army Knife. As the creative director and founder of Atlanta-based streetwear label Kitboys Club, he fuses apparel design, photography, and videography to exalt his earliest passion: soccer. This year, he’s a recipient of Adidas’ Honoring Black Excellence award, a program that honors the artistry and accomplishments of Black collectives and community leaders. That support will aid Thornell in his larger mission to “empower the next generation of Black soccer innovators” as he works to democratize the sport for a wider, continually evolving audience. Here, he discusses the role Atlanta plays in shaping the modern landscape of soccer and gives recommendations for getting involved in the game, on and off the pitch.
What first drew you to soccer? What do you find so compelling about the sport?
“I got immersed in it at a very young age. My parents were looking for ways to keep me occupied and got me involved in an all-Black local youth soccer club in the Stone Mountain area when I was around three or four. I ended up finding a lot of brothers, many of whom now make up the Kit Boys Club. Though the original club folded due to underfunding, I ended up buying the rights to its logo and kept it to this day, just in case I ever got an opportunity to bring it back for whatever reason. Playing soccer as a kid was a truly magical experience for me. If I ever got a moment to recreate that for someone else, I would. My dad is heavy into basketball, but my mom is from an African island called Cape Verde, and already had an affinity with the game. It’s kudos to her for driving me to every practice, every match. I probably wouldn’t have stayed without that kind of support.”
When and why did you form Kitboys Club? What was the journey like going from playing sports to designing sportswear?
“I played soccer for four years here in Atlanta at Clayton State, then had a pretty bad injury my senior year. With all the downtime, I looked to other hobbies and interests beyond the game. A lot of that being collecting, buying, and selling sneakers. That’s the way I made my lunch money in school, since I was always on the road or at practice and couldn’t really have a job. My interest in sneakers morphed into an interest in streetwear because they’re so interrelated. From there, I built a love for storytelling because sneakers at the time were often released through collaboration around boutiques and local communities. At the time, I was seeing the two cultures really synergize themselves. Kitboys became an environment for a lot of my friends who had creative passions to come together. There’s a flashiness to sports that lends itself to fashion and styling. Sometimes an athlete wears dramatic headbands, a unique shooting sleeve, or a brightly colored pair of sneakers. It was always a way to stand out and build an identity.
How has Atlanta shaped or influenced your brand’s identity? How would you describe its fashion appeal?
“The biggest thing we want to do as a brand is be representative of the city. Atlanta’s always had this certain type of swagger and a perspective as kind of an underdog. I think that’s what influenced me, especially when you think about soccer’s position as a sport in the South. It’s that spirit that allows us to push ourselves. I’ve gotten to see Atlanta develop so much in the music and entertainment space in the past few years and nostalgia for that time is something we’ve infused into the brand. If you think about streetwear labels, many were being born between the 90s and the 2000s. Our styles pay homage to those eras—how they made us feel and how the game was growing at the time. My pops is a graffiti artist and a Run-DMC stan, so hip-hop was very much a part of my upbringing, too. A lot of my approach is rooted in those two worlds.”
What role is Atlanta playing in the evolution of American soccer?
“You might not think it’s a big soccer city, but with the World Cup games coming in 2026, there’s certainly a growing culture. Add in the airport and infrastructure, and Atlanta has the support available for the sport to thrive. Atlanta United won a championship with 75,000 in attendance at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which was unheard of for a soccer game in North America. I think it’s just a testament to how passion-driven it is.”
How would you describe soccer culture in the city?
“I think it’s unique because of where the fandom is derived from. Of course, soccer is the biggest sport in the world, but it has this underground, raw feel here. It feels authentic. And I think that’s drawing people to the game. The passion is different, because it’s sort of an unfamiliar sport in the region. Almost like a local secret.”
Courtesy Adidas
What are your suggestions—for newcomers or veterans alike—for getting involved in Atlanta’s soccer scene?
“If you’re trying to learn and find a level, we have some of the biggest grassroots leagues here in Atlanta. The biggest one being at Silverbacks Park, which has a co-ed league. There’s 10 divisions and you can play at any level, be it rookie or top-tier. Sons of Pitches and Station Soccer are great, too. The latter is who we’ve chosen to receive our donation as a part of Adidas’ HBE program. They offer completely free resources to kids and youth who want to get into the game and learn it. Don’t miss an Atlanta United match. Experience what it means to play at the highest level, what it means to be with 75,000 other fans in a stadium who love the game. Beyond that, visit soccer bars and join in on watch parties to get involved. Brewhouse in downtown Atlanta is packed out on weekends for the Premier League. Soccer is very much pub culture—Fado Irish Pub is another good spot.”
