U R Welcome: Antoine Williams
“U R Welcome” is the brainchild of Reuben “Big Rube” Harley. It’s a series of interviews with black influencers and tastemakers in Philadelphia discussing race, community and how Philly can be a place where everyone is welcome. When Rube came to Saxbys with the idea, we jumped at the chance to work with him to tell these stories.
Antoine Williams has made his name for himself in football, graphic design and custom clothing. About 10 years ago, he designed a hoodie for a friend and it got the attention of Philly brand Merk Vintage. From there he started making all kinds of clothes — from T-shirts to the sickest custom sneakers you’ve ever seen. Also a semi-pro football player for more than a decade, Antoine even designed jerseys for two of his teams, the Liberty Bell Patriots and the Tacony Eagles.
His combinations of hustle and intellect come from his mother, who made sure that young Antoine paired every athletic pursuit with an intellectual pursuit. In high school, he played varsity football and was captain of the robotics team. He played volleyball and was in the chess club. Growing up in West Philly, his mom saw far too many people who never left the neighborhood and knew her child was destined for more.
Big Rube sat down with Antoine to chat about design, Philly and inclusivity:
What was it like the first time you saw a stranger wearing one of your designs?
It blew my mind. I couldn’t believe that someone I didn’t know went shopping, picked it out and decided to wear it. It’s crazy.
How did it feel when your whole football team wore the jerseys you designed?
It’s a surreal moment when you see 50 guys wearing something you designed. I still wonder why anybody would you want to wear anything I put together? But there they were.
What does City of Brotherly Love mean to you?
For me it’s as simple as emulating that blue-collar hustle. Get up, get your cup of coffee and go chase the day. Every hour of the day you should be hustling or grinding as hard as you can until it’s time to lay back down.
What does inclusivity mean to you?
As a black man, I’ve always been hyper aware of who’s around me and that I’m a representation of where I came from and who I am. So it’s nice to be in a scenario where I feel included and people around me are included. I will always try to foster an environment of home because I know how much home means to everybody, so for me, inclusivity is home.
What does U R Welcome mean to you?
There’s an authenticity about it. It’s not just some tagline. U R Welcome is home. There is no greater feeling than opening a door or sitting on a couch and being home with friends and family. That makes all the hustle, all the chasing, all the grinding worth it.
How does Saxbys fit into your lifestyle?
For me, Saxbys is fuel. I’ve always been taught to emulate my mother’s hustle and she always started the day with a good cup of coffee so for me, Saxbys sets the tone for the rest of the day.