# Honoring Black Unity: An Overview of Apple’s Limited-Edition Watch Bands
Beginning in early 2021, Apple has established a practice of launching limited-edition Black Unity bands for the Apple Watch, coinciding with Black History Month every January. With 2025 signaling the fifth year of this program, Apple has unveiled a varied selection of bands, featuring two sport bands, two sport loops, and one braided solo loop. These distinctive designs are now available for purchase at the Apple Store.
## 2021: Black Unity Sport Band
The adventure started with the **Black Unity Sport Band** in 2021, retailing for $49. Crafted by Black creatives and allies within Apple, this band celebrates Black history and culture. It is inspired by the colors of the Pan-African flag and pays tribute to the art of quilt-making. Each band is meticulously handcrafted from three pieces of colored fluoroelastomer, molded and compression-formed into a singular design. The matching Unity watch face features a dynamic motif that shifts as the Apple Watch moves, resulting in a unique visual display. The band’s cutting-edge pin-and-tuck closure is laser-engraved with the impactful phrase: “Truth. Power. Solidarity.”
## 2022: Black Unity Braided Solo Loop
In 2022, Apple broadened the collection with the **Black Unity Braided Solo Loop**, priced at $99. This band draws inspiration from Afrofuturism, examining the narratives of science, technology, and self-empowerment within the experiences of the African Diaspora. It pays tribute to both the seen and unseen contributions of countless Black individuals and represents the continuous pursuit of a fairer world.
## 2023: Black Unity Sport Loop
The 2023 addition brought the **Black Unity Sport Loop**, also available for $49. This design highlights the artistic process inherent in mosaic art, representing the vibrancy of Black communities and the strength of unity. Like its forerunners, the Sport Loop incorporates the colors of the Pan-African flag, with the word “unity” woven into the material, forming a textured three-dimensional pattern. This band emphasizes comfort, featuring an adjustable, soft, and lightweight construction.
## 2024: Unity Bloom Sport Band
In 2024, Apple revisited the sport band design with the **Unity Bloom Sport Band**, again set at $49. This creation is inspired by the growth and perseverance nurtured by generations collaborating to fight injustice. Each flower motif seems handcrafted, embodying truth, power, and solidarity, and reflects a dedication to nurturing a more just world where everyone can succeed.
## 2025: Unity Rhythm Sport Loop
The latest addition for 2025 is the **Unity Rhythm Sport Loop**, priced at $49. This design commemorates the unifying essence of rhythm, a vital part of the human experience. The band boasts a unique pattern that intertwines the colors of the Pan-African flag, creating an impressive lenticular effect. As the wearer shifts their wrist, the colors dynamically transform, amplifying the design’s visual appeal.
## Supporting Global Organizations
With each launch of the Black Unity bands, Apple has pledged support to five global organizations focused on rhythm, creativity, and community. These organizations provide valuable mentorship to underrepresented artists and musicians, advancing Apple’s goal of fostering equity and inclusion.
## Conclusion
Apple’s Black Unity bands serve not just as fashionable additions to the Apple Watch but also as potent emblems of solidarity and cultural appreciation. Each design narrates a tale, reflecting the rich legacy and ongoing challenges for equality confronting Black communities. As we reflect on the past five years of this initiative, it becomes evident that Apple isn’t solely manufacturing products; they are cultivating a movement toward heightened awareness and transformation.
Now that you’ve explored and learned about these remarkable designs, which one speaks to you the most? Share your opinions and engage in the poll below!
