As the country observes Black History Month, major retailers and brands in the fashion and footwear industries are working to bring more attention to the many contributions of the Black community. FN has committed to promoting young and diverse talent in every corner of the shoe business. This time, we turn the editorial duties over to Black industry leaders to highlight the up-and-comers who inspire them.
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Archel Bernard, Founder, Bombchel
Image Credit: Courtesy “Archel Bernard is the founder and head of the Liberian factory and Atlanta-based boutique that comprises the mission-based brand Bombchel. Motivated by the Ebola crisis in 2014, she hires and trains women from backgrounds of poverty, effectively supporting autonomous change for them and their communities. Domestically, her boutique is filled with contemporary African clothes, hand-dyed pieces of her own design and gifts and accessories from Black women-owned businesses across the diaspora. Archel is a true agent of empowerment.”
— Salone Monet, founder, Nude Heels
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Junior Clint, Founder, Clints Inc.
Image Credit: Courtesy “Junior Clint is a pioneer in footwear entrepreneurship. I discovered his work a few years ago and contacted him immediately. During our discussion, he explained that his life’s path was taking him in a different direction until he decided he wanted to pursue footwear. He started from ground zero. A few years later, he has a brand. And not only does he have a brand, it’s a creative one with a perspective, which is rare. Knighting someone with the title of breakout year is too much pressure, but Junior Clint is focused.”
— Salehe Bembury, founder, Spunge
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Christopher Dixon, Founder, CNSTNT DVLPMT; Jade Dixon, Daughter
Image Credit: Courtesy “In 2009 I saw the work of Christopher Dixon and I knew he has that glow. And over the next 13 years and counting I had a front-row seat to watch this young brother grow into his glow. The thing that makes Chris special is that he realized he was blessed with a gift that he needed to share with others for them to realize they were blessed too. He created his own set of Creative Tools for the next generation under the brand name CNSTNT DVLPMT, which is how he saw himself every day. Little did he know there was someone watching him every day and night hunched over his desk at home or in the dojo at Pensole. Jade Dixon was watching her father be the example from the time she was 4. She is 11 today. Jade is a prodigy, not only because she is made from Chris’s DNA, but she is a product of the example of hard work and determination. She is the future of this industry and will carry the torch when it is her time to glow.”
— D’Wayne Edwards, founder, Pensole Design Academy; Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design
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Essie Golden, Blogger
Image Credit: Courtesy “Though Essie has been a prominent face in the fashion world, she is a fresh face in the sneaker community and has quickly become a rising star in sneaker culture. Advocating for plus-sized storytelling through Thick Laces, a platform she created with Katie Alexis, Essie consistently uses her voice to advocate for change for Black women — and we absolutely love to see it. Over the past few years, I have watched her double down on her brand and her mission, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Ms. Golden.”
— Jazerai Allen-Lord, founder, True to Size
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Angel Gregorio, Founder, The Spice Suite
Image Credit: Courtesy “I look forward to seeing what Angel Gregorio accomplishes this year and beyond. The Spice Suite is a hip, quaint and comfortable storefront [in Washington, D.C.,] that serves as a dream incubator and haven for curious culinarians, and their motto is ‘food is fashion.’ Beyond her entrepreneurial drive, I admire Angel’s activist spirit and commitment to empowering other small business owners. She supports a group of small business owners called The Spice Girls and allows them to sell in her shop free of charge in exchange for their help in the store. She also gathers these women for education opportunities.”
— Farrell Redwine, chief human resources officer, Nordstrom
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T.J. Keasal, Content Creator
Image Credit: Courtesy “We’ve all seen the hard work T.J. puts into her content creation, with her consistently updated YouTube channel and the amount of sneaker content she puts into the world. But above and beyond that, what I love about her is her heart of gold. She has traveled to Milwaukee multiple times to volunteer with our J.A.Y. Academy, and though she has a ton of stuff going on, in true [Stephen] Curry form, T.J. — [an avid Curry fan] — is never shaken. She has what some would call ice in her veins. With her keen fashion sense and her amazing photography skills, 2022 is bound to be T.J.’s year.”
— Eric “Shake” James, owner, Clicks, Sneex and Black Market stores
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Keya Martin, Founder, Keeyahri; Tiannia Barnes, CEO & Designer, Tiannia Barnes
Image Credit: Courtesy “When I first started Harlem’s Fashion Row in 2007, it wasn’t easy to find Black shoe designers. But since then, I’ve seen dozens of Black designers start lines. Two brands that really stand out are Keeyahri and Tiannia Barnes. Keeyahri is an innovative brand that’s defined by true architectural design. Its founder and designer, Keya Martin, uses a very intentional spiraling heel, which brings customers over the edge. Tiannia Barnes is well known for her take on classic color-blocked T-strap pumps. Barnes has a knack for making details, whether furry poms or cool cutouts, the best accessory for any outfit.”
— Brandice Daniel, founder, Harlem’s Fashion Row
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Sade Mims, Founder, EDAS
Image Credit: Courtesy of Rasaan Wyzard “A black designer I recently discovered is Sade Mims, head designer at EDAS. I love the design story and angle she brings to her accessories brand, weaving her collective skills and infusing experiences not just from her design background into her work. It’s this 360-degree approach that makes her one to watch, as I see her making a difference in the fashion sphere. The uniqueness and individuality of her pieces speak to me personally — I am one of the eclectic consumers the brand targets — and I can’t wait to see how her journey unfolds.”
— Theresa Ebagua, founder, Chelsea Paris
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Soull & Dynasty Ogun, Founders, L’Enchanteur
Image Credit: Courtesy “Next up on my radar is the Black-owned label L’Enchanteur by twin sisters Soull and Dynasty Ogun. L’Enchanteur seeks to communicate timeless inspirations of spirituality behind each of their pieces, creating clothing, jewelry, and lifestyle items that redefine the meaning of an heirloom. As a Trinidadian, I admire and respect the duo’s authenticity and conviction to showcase Caribbean history. The boundless nature of their creativity never ceases to amaze me.”
— Sharifa Murdock, chief impact officer, Kith; co-founder, Liberty Fairs
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Corey Populus, Founder, Circulate
Image Credit: Courtesy “Corey is going to have a breakout 2022 because I feel like his brand, Circulate, speaks to Black culture and it also speaks to a lot of Black history notes that people don’t really hear about or know about. He has a very seasoned history in skateboarding and just culture in general. He’s rooted in being a good person, being a good dude, and I really appreciate what he brings design-wise and the storytelling that he has in his clothing line.”
— Frank Cooke, designer
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Jessica Smith, Basketball Strategy Director, Adidas
Image Credit: Courtesy of Adidas “At Adidas, Jessica has removed barriers for early career creatives for both traditional university talent and those from non-traditional backgrounds via the internship program and founding S.E.E.D. Jessica is a rare talent in our industry. Someone who is selfless and puts the greater good of the team above herself. S.E.E.D. — and the lives of the women who have graduated from the program and who are now in their full-time roles within Adidas — would not have even been a thought much less a reality without Jessica’s innovative brain and heart, which puts people at the intersection of education and industry.”
— Cheresse Thornhill-Goldson, design director, S.E.E.D. @ Adidas
