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Dequan’s Wish Story

Dequan, 17, Mt. Vernon, New York
Wish: to meet Howard White, Vice-President of Brand Jordan

Seventeen-year-old Dequan flew all the way across the country for his wish-come-true. The teen from Mt. Vernon, New York, wished to meet the Vice-President of Brand Jordan at Nike, headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, just outside of Portland.

Dequan and his family arrived at Nike Campus to be greeted by Make-A-Wish® volunteers and Nike staff. The family was escorted to the Jerry Rice building where the Jordan Brand offices are located. The Vice-President of Brand Jordan, Howard White, was waiting in his office and was excited to finally meet Dequan. Howard took Dequan on a tour of the office to meet all of the people behind the brand. At every turn they saw shoes upon shoes, and Dequan was in awe. He was also able to recognize just about every sneaker in the building. Dequan was described by one of the volunteers as a “sneakerhead” and this was especially apparent when he met some of the Jordan designers. He quickly bonded with the group when he shared his love for design. When they presented him with his own signature pair of Air Jordans with his name stitched into them, “My name is on the shoe!” was all he could say.

After lunch with the staff, Dequan and his family went back to Howard’s office for some one-on-one time. Howard still couldn’t believe that Dequan would want to come all the way from “Money-earnin’ Mt. Vernon” to meet him. Dequan talked about how much he liked the brand and the extent he goes through to keep his shoes in tip-top condition. (He picks the rocks out of the tread at the end of each day, and his shirt must always match his shoes.) Howard talked about what it meant to work at Brand Jordan and about how his relationship with Michael Jordan developed. On a whim, Howard dialed a number on his phone, and then handed the receiver to Dequan. It took Dequan a moment before he realized that he was speaking with Michael Jordan himself. Needless to say, he was a little excited. The wish was truly a dream-come-true, indicated by Dequan’s ear-to-ear smile the entire time. He even hugged Howard a couple of times, which according to his mom, is a rare sight.