The Nashville Predators will be sporting a new look as they take on the L.A. Kings at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday. Thanks to a local professor, they'll be wearing specially designed jerseys honoring Black History Month.

Kaleena Sales, associate professor and art and design department chair at Tennessee State University, designed the jerseys for the Predators' Black History Celebration Night on Jan. 31. The design offers a duality that bridges historical and contemporary Black culture, she said.

"I’m excited and honored to have the opportunity to represent TSU and Nashville as a Black designer,” said Sales. “To be celebrated professionally in such a public way means something to me. It speaks to the growth that we’ve had, and it honors what Black History Month celebration should really be about.”

Sales has over 20 years of experience as a graphic designer. She expressed that the opportunity to design the jerseys is not only significant to her, but to the overall community she represents.

Our picks: How to celebrate Black History Month in Nashville

Amy Bratten, the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Nashville Predators, said the organization anticipates showcasing the artistry in honor of the historical celebration. Bratten said it is a gift to have Sales contribute to the celebration.

“What Kaleena Sales and Preds Graphic Designer, Tayshaun Hassell, created is educational and dynamic. Our players and staff are excited to showcase the artwork on January 31," said Bratten in a news release. "We're excited to have the logo displayed all over Smashville!"

What will the new Nashville Predators jerseys look like?

The honorary jerseys will be black and gold and feature custom lively West African patterns symbolizing purity, wisdom, love, harmony, and more. The design will also be showcased on lanyards distributed to the first 5,000 fans in attendance.

The symbols were designed by the Akan people from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana during the early 1800s, said Sales. “The geometric pattern used alongside the Adinkra symbols is meant to represent the vibrancy of contemporary Black culture," she said.

Sales noted that the designs aim to honor the past by connecting it to the present.

What is the Nashville Predators' Black History Celebration game?

According to the NHL, Black History Celebration Night is part of the Nashville Predators and their GUIDER program’s year-long celebration of Hockey Is For Everyone, an ongoing initiative to promote diversity and inclusion around hockey.

Black History Celebration Night will recognize all four of Nashville’s HBCUs: Tennessee State University, Fisk University, American Baptist College and Meharry Medical College. The night will also feature a battle of the bands with three local high schools, and include the national anthem and in-game performances by Black artists.

This is the second consecutive year the Predators have chosen a TSU professor to design cultural jerseys and T-shirts to honor Black History Month. In 2023, the Predators selected Eric Jackson, assistant professor of graphic design, to design the jerseys worn during the Black History Celebration game day warm-ups.

Samantha Morgan Curtis, dean of TSU’s College of Liberal Arts, said the selection of two TSU professors speaks to the quality of the university’s art programs.

“We are grateful that the Predators recognize the brilliance of our faculty,” she said. “The College of Liberal Arts is excited about the Predators partnership and all the possibilities it affords our students and faculty. This project specifically highlights the quality of our graphic design program. We are thankful to the hockey team for this opportunity.”

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Predators wear jerseys honoring Black history: What to know