In honor of the Coming 2 America sequel premiering MIZIZI partnered with Paramount Paramount to create officially licensed Zamunda Soccer, Basketball, Baseball & Hockey Jerseys. These jerseys are for fans of the original Coming To America movie released in 1988, those whose lives were impacted by the movie so much that it became a part of their cultural identity. We had the opportunity to speak with the team on this collaboration:

What an amazing project to be apart of Coming 2 America has been a huge part of my childhood, this must have been a very exciting project for the team. Tell us more about how you brought this to life?
Paakow Essandoh: “Definitely! It’s always a great feeling being apart of something bigger than just ourselves. And the fact that everything came together so smoothly, the process was really symbiotic. ViacomCBS was looking for minority brands who were aligned with the movie to partner with and we already had our sights on Coming To America since the get go. After partnering with Marvel & Disney for the officially licensed Wakanda & Lion King Baseball Jerseys; we knew that it made sense to continue working with film that spoke on the nuances of the diaspora. So when ViacomCBS approached us with the opportunity, we took the ball and ran with it.”

Who were these jerseys made for and why?
Paakow Essandoh: “These jerseys are for fans of the original Coming To America movie released in 1988; those whose lives were impacted by the movie so much that it became a part of their cultural identity. Those who, to this day, find themselves quoting lines from it at random times that make them laugh and smile. Those who recognize the nostalgia they feel when watching the movie and are transported to a different place and time. The stans.“

What was the inspiration behind the designs of the shirts?
Paakow Essandoh: “Our designer, Kenneth William Obeng, really went above and beyond for this campaign. Our goal was to make sure the jerseys felt high-end, retro yet contemporary while incorporating the original Coming To America IP in a stylish way. I can’t emphasize enough how proud I am of the finished products, especially if you saw what we had to work with, Ken really stepped up and showed up.“

Creative Director Temi shared:
Temi Thomas: “This campaign was a testament of how far MIZIZI has same as a collective and the world is our stage. We’re more than ready to put the diaspora on the map.” 

Cast and Crew:
Captured by: Kwesi Yanful
Direction by: Temi Thomas
Talent: Madison King, Kongo Bones, Aisha Abuga, François Kendama
MUA: Ashley Colbert
Styling: Amanda Taymor