Courtesy of Devonte Young
Devonte Young is the founder and creator of Enspire Streetwear. The company is a higher-end apparel brand despite already landing a collaboration with Nike as he designed the last three shoes for Kevin Durant’s line. The two have been friends since the seventh grade after meeting on the basketball court during open gym.
I recently spoke to Young about the backstory of why he elected to call his apparel company Enspire Streetwear.
“So, I started this brand six years ago, and I want to say that I was at a crossroads and trying to figure out what I wanted to do as a young adult. At the time, I was finishing playing college basketball, and I knew that I probably would be a professional because I did not put enough work in. I knew that I took it as far as possible, and I knew I always had big aspirations. Back then, I wasn’t as popular on Instagram, but people used to say that you inspire me and keep going. People have been watching me for a long time such as, when I was not in school and when I got back in. Trying to be a basketball player playing four years in college,
“So, when I was going through that crossroad, I wanted to figure out what I wanted to do as far as trying to build a brand or go into the working field at that point in my life. The first thing that came to mind was the highest form of human activism is to inspire people. So, I was like, I wanted to be an inspirational type of person, and how do I display that through a brand.”
He would continue:
“So, I was thinking about the word inspire and being on a path to get somewhere. That made me take the ‘I’ off inspire and put an “E’ because en means en route while I’m on this road to success. I want to inspire others along the way. That is where the original word came from, and originally it was called ‘Enspire Them,’ for the first three years, but I don’t think the people caught on to that. As much as Enspire.”
Black recently collaborated with Nike and Durant to release the KD 13s n “Black Ice” as well as “Venom Yellow,” according to sneakernews.com.
About the Author
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
