story

"What's up? I'm Olajuwon Ajanaku. And I'm Earl Cooper. And we're the founders of Eastside Golf. And today, we're going to show you how we Talk Shop".

"I started Eastside Golf to fund my dreams. The name of the company, Eastside Golf, came from me being from East Atlanta. And now today, we're at John A. White to put that on display and to show everybody that you can use your dreams to pursue anything that you want".

"I was working in commercial finance for about nine years and one day got home, I was fully suited, and I was just like, 'this is not it'".

"You know, I want to play golf. But I knew it'd be hard to find sponsors. So, first things first, let me just make a logo. Black man playing golf. It was just supposed to be me. One thing led to another, I showed it to Earl. He was like, 'Yo, you need to put that on a T-shirt'".

"And I knew I had something. I got kicked off a golf course because I didn't have the right set of trousers. The way I created or designed the actual trousers now, they have a drawstring and belt loops. So now …"

"… nobody else will have to get kicked off a country club. Eastside Golf's mission is to promote diversity, inspire culture and to be authentic. And so for Jordan Brand to give us an opportunity to touch so many different pieces, to infuse our experiences …"

"Having his experience of being kicked off the country club, my experience as being a PGA Professional. I'm just so excited that we have an opportunity to share our perspective on one of the biggest platforms in the world. My intention was …"

"… every time somebody puts one of these pieces on, they feel stylish. They feel like they belong out on the golf course".

"At one point, my mum had three jobs and I had to find a way to the golf course. So I walked about two miles to the bus stop and finally get there, waiting and waiting. I get there, it's red-clay mud all over my shoes".

"So I finally get to the golf course, which was here, and I played 36 holes. By the time I was done, I mean, literally it's red-clay mud all over my shoes, my bag, my trousers. But it shows grit, determination, that I'm here to get it out of the mud".

"And then I designed shoes from that. Everybody has that story in their own way. And now here we are partnering with Jordan Brand. Red Clay Collection. Oh wow. Man, this is exactly what I was talking about".

"Red Clay, wow. My inspiration. That grit, that determination. Showing drive. This is a dream come true, man. It's kind of similar to what Dr King said, that Georgia red clay".

"When I think about this dirt, it's just special".

Talking Shop: Jordan x Eastside Golf Part 1