Lunar Park Shoes: TV Bobby's Vision for Black Representation in Footwear

TV Bobby, the founder of Lunar Park Shoes, recently sat down with Trae Holiday on "The Day with Trae" to talk about how he is revolutionizing the footwear industry. Bobby, a Seattle native, shared his journey and inspiration for creating unique and culturally significant shoe designs that provide much-needed representation of the Black community that is missing in the industry. 

Bobby's passion for shoes began in childhood. "I used to draw shoes as a kid, like my own style. Some of my friends would draw like a Jordan 1 or a Nike, whatever. I would draw my own shoes,” he said. 

Not being able to afford nice shoes when he was younger coupled with a desire for representation drove him to establish Lunar Park Shoes. He noticed that while other cultures received specific shoe designs from major brands, the Black community was often overlooked.

“The Black diaspora is thick,” Bobby said. “A Black American has a story that needs to be told and it should be told separate from our Nigerian brothers, from our Haitian brothers and sisters."

The journey to launching Lunar Park Shoes was not without its challenges. Bobby conducted extensive research, honoring the legacy of Alfred P. Freeman, the first Black person in Seattle to own a footwear company. He also navigated the high costs of production, particularly the minimum order quantity for original designs.

"It was scary because it was over $10,000 to be able to start in the game," he said, saving diligently until he found a manufacturer who could bring his visions to life, starting with their first shoe, the Black History One, in 2022.

“The community's reception has been overwhelmingly positive. I know I have faith in my design, so I know I'm going to have to break down doors and let people know I'm here," he said. acknowledging the challenge of getting people to move past established brands like Nike and Jordan while still managing to receive overwhelming love from the Seattle community. 

Bobby showcased several of his innovative designs during the interview, including the Underground Railroad box, which features historical roots and pathways of formerly enslaved people. He unveiled his "greatest Halloween sneaker pack ever," themed after the movie “Sinners.” This limited edition "Sinners" drop is available for pre-order from October 20th to October 31st and will be available in sizes 4.5 to 12.

To support Lunar Park Shoes, follow them on social media @lunarparkus on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, and visit their website, shoplunarpark.com.  

Did you enjoy this blog post? Then consider donating to Converge and supporting our mission here.