Physical Culture Supply Co. is the official vintage-style private label of the Black Fives Foundation, inspired by the widespread Physical Culture movement of the early 1900s, during which basketball first became popular among African Americans.

Our Private Label!

By popular demand after more than twenty years out of circulation, we are re-launching our Physical Culture Supply Co. private label starting with a collection of fitted and snapback cap styles that will only be available at Lids, the world’s leading headwear retailer, and at the Black Fives Online Fan Shop, available on February 28, 2022.

This first drop will be followed by additional year-round headwear collections through a special partnership between the Black Fives Foundation and Lids to support increasing awareness about the pre-NBA history of African Americans in basketball. Sign up now for email alerts and more info!

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Beyond this, we will be introducing other new apparel styles and designs in the months ahead so stay tuned! 👆🏽

Some Sneak Peeks

These are a few of the fitted and snapback caps that will be available at Lids and at the Black Fives Online Fan Shop starting late February 2022.

Physical Culture

The Alpha Physical Culture Club was founded in Harlem in 1904 as the first all-Black athletic club in the country, thus their name, “Alpha.” Their basketball team was known as the "Alpha Big Five." (Black Fives Foundation)
The Alpha Physical Culture Club was founded in Harlem in 1904 as the first all-Black athletic club in the country, thus their name, “Alpha.” Their basketball team was known as the “Alpha Big Five.” (Black Fives Foundation)
Popular physical culture equipment included weighted dumbells, medicine balls, basketballs, and exercise clubs. (The Black Fives Foundation)
Popular physical culture equipment included weighted dumbells, medicine balls, basketballs, and exercise clubs. (The Black Fives Foundation)
(The Black Fives Foundation)
The Physical Culture Supply Co. The crossed clubs insignia.