Black Street Apparel owner Roddell Denetso, a Navajo entrepreneur, that’s who.
REZBALL has been making great waves across the streaming world, and viewers have been basked in the Indigenous glory of another great film by director Sydney Freeland. Sterlin Harjo penned the script as well.
Here is the synopsis:
REZ BALL is a new basketball sports drama headed to Netflix that takes place in the Navajo Nation and follows the high school team, the Chuska Warriors. REZ BALL was directed by Sydney Freeland and co-written with Sterlin Harjo. LeBron James is a producer of the film, it premiered on Netflix on September 27, 2024.
As mentioned in my review, the uniforms were a standout in the film, thanks to Roddell Denetso’s talents.
Denetso, a Navajo and Black resident of Shiprock, New Mexico, owns and operates Black Street Apparel. Denetso is an Indigenous designer who creates Native-themed sports apparel nationwide.
In REZ BALL, Denetso designed the Chuska Warriors’ home and away uniforms as well as all the bags, gear, cheerleader uniforms and more. Denetso says he comes from humble beginnings. He told NPR affiliate KSUT, “I’m just this little Rez kid with a shop that I ran out of by my house from Shiprock.”
An interview with Denetso
In an interview with Native Viewpoint, Denetso, who has a degree in visual communications and graphic design and traveled throughout Europe as a professional basketball player, describes his climb to success and how he came about designing for a major Netflix movie.
Can you tell the readers of Native Viewpoint a little about yourself?
My name is Roddell Denetso; I am half Navajo (Dine’) and half African American. I am Tsinaajinii (black streak wood people) born for African American, my maternal grandparents are Kinlichinii (red house people) and my paternal grandparents are African American.
I am originally from Klagetoh/Ganado, AZ, but I currently reside in Shiprock, NM. I was an all-state performer throughout my high school years in basketball, football and baseball. I played football and basketball in college and then went overseas to Amsterdam, France, and Belgium to play basketball. Now, I am running my business full-time and coaching high school football and AAU basketball.
How long have you been an artist and designer? How hard is your craft?
I’ve been an artist as far back as I can remember. But in a professional setting, it has been about 15 or so years. From newspaper ad creator to school campus print shop manager and freelance work, my craft isn’t as hard as it seems as far as learning the programs and industry, but it is the competition in the industry that makes it difficult.
How did you get involved with Rez Ball?
I want to give a huge shoutout to Brent Cahwe (the owner of ndnsports.com), who referred me to the production team for the apparel needs. I just got a call one day to ask if I was interested; the rest is history.
What was the Native American inspiration behind your designs?
As Dine’, we love to use the ‘step design’ or basket design and color combos involving teal. So, I used a basket design inspiration and warrior spears, forming a pinstripe look. The spears seemed fitting since the team’s name is Chuska Warriors. I wanted a sleek, clean look but still with the Native flare. The colors complimented each other perfectly as well.
What was the scope of all you did?
The original scope was just the Chuska Warriors home and away uniforms, but when the producers saw the finished product, they were blown away and asked if I could do more. I excitedly accepted, so along with the Chuska away/home sets, we added an alternate colorway, team travel gear, backpacks, and shooting shirts. Also, I did their home/away uniforms, shooting shirts, and team backpacks for the opposing team. I also designed the cheer uniforms and fan T-shirts for the crowd.
What would you tell young designers who want their designs to be in an amazing movie…just like you have done?
I would tell them always to take pride in their work because you never know who is watching. If the opportunity ever comes, they should be diligent in their process, plan ahead for the strict timelines, and always over-create! And be confident in your skills!
Lastly, as a side note, I would want our Native youth to know that if I can do it, so can they! I grew up without my father, alcoholism within my family, no running water, and poor. That is a reality among many of our reservations. But we can choose to use it as our downfall or fuel to follow dreams! But as I see it, this history-making opportunity is for all of us because in the Native community, if one of us makes it, we all make it!!
More about Roddell Denetso’s Black Street Apparel
https://www.blackstreakapparel.store
https://www.instagram.com/blackstreakapparel/
https://www.tiktok.com/@blackstreakapparel_del
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Vincent Schilling, Akwesasne Mohawk, is the founder and editor of Native Viewpoint. With nearly 20 years of experience as a Native journalist and former member of the White House Press Pool, Vincent works to uplift underrepresented voices in the world of media and beyond. Follow Vincent on YouTube.com/VinceSchilling, on Twitter at @VinceSchilling or on any other of his social media accounts by clicking on any of the icons below.
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