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In honor of Black History Month, over the past few weeks, FN has been honoring nearly 20 African American footwear and fashion industry activists, recognizing their achievements and how the industry is making great strides in diversity. We invite you to share your insights on what can be done.
The result of this series is a wealth of powerful advice and actionable feedback not only for industry leaders, but also for minorities looking for their way into business.
Here, we look back at 21 powerful quotes from our 2019 Black History Month Spotlight series about diversity, overcoming stereotypes, and breaking into the footwear industry.
break down barriers to entry
“Keep trying. Keep applying for jobs. If you can’t step into design right away, step into the door of the company you want to work for. It opened the door to the world.” — car leisha garnerSenior Designer, Aerosol
“Make connections online and in person. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people, but make sure your delivery is right. Emphasize and always be a student.” — Jasmine PendergrassDirector of Events and Marketing, American Footwear Distributor and Retailer
“Get a degree. Study the game. Build real relationships. Remember you’re the flavor. — DJ Clark Kentrecord producer, sneaker collaborator
“Do your best to grow professionally and gain experience before interning with established designers and brands and launching your own brand. It will not guarantee your success, but it will give you a fighting chance.”— Umindi FrancisFounder of Umindi Francis Consulting Group
“Do your homework. I was told that if that position doesn’t exist, create it and don’t wait for anyone: prepare, build, grow, and watch everything match.” Jerome Lamarrlifestyle expert, futurist
“It’s very difficult for young black founders, and black founders in general, to raise the money they need to get their business off the ground. Especially the luxuries. It’s crippling. Lack of exposure to the network you need to infiltrate to really do the next stage.I’m learning, but in fashion it’s a small group. Kendall Reynolds Designer and founder of Kendall Miles.
“Once you identify your passion area, you have to obsess over it. [over] Become a student of it. It’s much easier to enter the industry if you have the perspective, certain abilities or skills, and enough knowledge to be considered a subject matter expert who can add value immediately. What I just explained is that you own your career and your destiny. If you want people to try it, you have to do the work beforehand. ”— James Whitnerfounder and owner of Whitaker Group
“No. 1. Don’t get discouraged if you think you might not get the opportunity. [reaching out to] Everyone. Don’t be afraid to reach out. Don’t be afraid to tell your story. Because your story will be the catalyst for someone to get you into the company. Keep believing in yourself, keep pushing, keep trying and know that your story is special and that you can make it happen within your company. There was a great movement to give. ”— Tim DaySenior Product Line Manager, Nike Basketball
overcome stereotypes
“Being a black woman in corporate America can be seen as a ‘double challenge’ by some, and the fundamentals of being one of the few women in the room who look like me. It comes with a level of disability: A common human tendency is to gravitate towards people who are similar to ourselves, and when we find ourselves standing alone, we can become isolated and intimidating. Recognizing this challenge, I have always strived to stand proudly in the space I occupy as a Black woman. It’s a key factor in how you can lean back and turn it into something positive.” — Adrian LoftonNike’s next board member and former Under Armor SVP of Global Brand Management
“Honestly, being a minority is what makes me feel different. I grew up watching Human Made’s Nigo make his own shoes without the help of a shoe company. showed me.”— anwar carrotFounder of Carrots by Anwar Carrots
“When I ran past the half marathon points, people said, ‘Black people don’t do that.’ I had to find a like-minded group that happened to be people of color. For years we have been conditioned not to do this, so sometimes we put barriers on ourselves. LaToya Shauntay SnellFitness Influencer, Hoka Oneone Athlete
find strength in numbers
“Our culture continues to change fashion and footwear, but at the same time we continue to be underrepresented and underrepresented on boards. One famous athlete or celebrity wants to demand more diversity and inclusion before doing long-term business.Our community has tremendous economic power, We need to exercise that power by being proactive about how and with whom we spend money.” Damion PressonGlobal Entertainment Marketing Director, Reebok
“The best advice I can give to other African Americans is to help each other progress. This is easily done by extending opportunities to yourself. Don’t think you’re dimming your light because what’s meaningful to you is for you—helping someone who looks like you takes nothing away from you. In the past, we have witnessed other races progress by partnering and advancing each other’s careers. It says a lot more, as creators, that we want to see more people of color instead of just one person of color at the same table.” Harrison T. Krightcelebrity stylist
“The footwear industry has not been kind to us, because even now, 136 years later, it still struggles to be recognized. Millions of dollars are paid to recommend and sell, and billions of dollars are spent each year to persuade people to buy our products. We spend very little time or money informing people that there is a possibility of dwayne edwardsfounder of the Pensole Footwear Design Academy
When fashion brands miss the mark
“Fashion houses, like the broader culture, can at least dispel the most absurd and blatantly racist notions by systematically and unintentionally exposing the inherent humanity of being black. Think about all the steps your consumer product takes to hit the shelves How many desks will your sketch cross?How many hands will you be holding your mockup? And no one in white, black or polka dots said:[Wait a minute.] This is a bad idea. you must be kidding me — crystal degreehistorian, professor
How footwear companies leapfrog
“Where do you throw the net when recruiting? If you’re a company, look where the consumption is [of your product]Focus on where it is. Going to consumers who actually buy your product and are brand advocates is the easiest starting point to get that pipeline moving. ”— Eric WiseGlobal Senior Director of Products, Adidas Originals
“It’s 2019. Companies can no longer judge success by profitability alone. We as corporations have a responsibility to do more: spend more to save the planet, fire the bad guys quickly and cover it up. It means hiring a diverse workforce without Trace HillGM, Alife
“I look at online and print campaigns and wonder if they are satire. You can talk to a female friend about – if he doesn’t know. Sneaker companies should do the same when it comes to consulting African Americans about marketing to African Americans. to power and watch your company thrive.” — Jemaine Lover KingProfessor, Author of Sole Food: Digestible Sneaker Culture
“‘Diversity’ is more than a conference buzzword. An action plan should be put in place, for example, companies can initiate in-house one-on-one mentoring programs that pair minorities with senior management who can provide career advice and long-term guidance as the minorities advance their careers. .”— Robin McCoyUS Marketing Manager, FitFlop
“Before, I could understand how you could [only] I know people who are “two down”, but if you go to social media and search for #designer, you’ll see all these amazing designers and their designs.not enough [viable] Opportunities for people of color [connect with major corporations] Not enough companies are trying to find [people of color]Someone might need to develop an app to make it really easy for them. So every designer can sign up and have a hub that can exist, [brands] you can find them. — Tami Roman, Actress, author, shoe collaborator
“I would love to see companies open satellite creative offices in downtown Boston, Portland. [Ore.], LA and New York are cool, but let’s go inside Philadelphia, Detroit and Chicago. These kids are too talented and they are the future. We need to find ways to reach them and provide opportunities. Imagine the change you can make just by providing the opportunities and tools. Many of these kids have never even ventured outside the 5 square mile radius that surrounds the mall or neighborhood. ”— Clyde EdwardsSenior Marketing Manager, Puma
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