N.C. A&T’s Barcliff Wins Milwaukee Bucks HBC-YOU Made T-Shirt Design Competition

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Dec. 13, 2022) – The work of a North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University visual arts student will be featured exclusively at the Milwaukee Bucks HBCU Game Night and worn by selected fans.

Janiya Barcliff, a junior visual media (graphic) design major in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences from Elizabeth City, North Carolina, won the 2022 Milwaukee Bucks x HBC-YOU Made T-shirt contest. Individuals who attend or formerly attended a historically Black college or university (HBCU) were eligible to compete and only one national winner was selected.

“Once I received the email that I was the winner, I was super stoked! I literally could not stop cheering. I quickly notified my parents and my mentor, Joseph Shaw III,” said Barcliff.

With a passion for visual arts and design, Barcliff has participated in multiple design competitions, including a recent N.C. A&T Bojangles Mural design contest, but this is the biggest yet.

“Janiya is a driven designer who seeks out these types of challenges in order to test her talents,” said associate professor Roymieco Carter, director of A&T’s Visual Arts Program. “We are a community of creatives who becomes even more energized when one of us is recognized for our abilities. This is only one of many times we will be celebrating Janiya’s achievements.”

As the winner, Barcliff’s T-shirt design will not only be featured exclusively at the Bucks’ home game Jan. 31, 2023 – HBCU Night – but also will be featured on the Bucks’ official social media channels, and in an in-arena video highlight during HBCU Night. She will also receive complimentary T-shirts featuring her design.

“My design was inspired by the ‘90s sitcom, ‘Martin,’” said Barcliff. “‘Martin’ was an essential part of my youth that brought my family together at my grandmother’s house and made us laugh.”

Barcliff said the supportive atmosphere created by her visual arts professors and peers is important to her. It allows her to thrive and find a sense of belonging at A&T.

“Professor Roymieco Carter is definitely one of my professors who inspires and motivates me the most. He makes it his duty to teach us everything we need to know in order to be successful in our industry,” she said.

To see Barcliff’s exclusive winning T-shirt design, watch the Milwaukee Bucks home game at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m. as they play the Charlotte Hornets. Viewers can watch the game through Bally Sports Wisconsin Network through DIRECTV STREAM.