The sneaker industry has an obligation to create opportunity for underrepresented voices
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Posted By: Reginald Culpepper on November 04, 2021 Patrick Walsh, vice president of commercial growth and head of Foot Locker, Inc.’s LEED Initiative: There would be no sneaker culture without the contributions of Black culture. Yet far too often, products from Black creators aren’t featured on store shelves, nor are there clear pathways to entry for Black designers who deserve an equal opportunity to flourish in the industry. Design and fashion programs are not available at several HBCUs, leaving many attending students without a direct avenue to pursue their artistic dreams while in school. At Foot Locker, Inc. we recognize the important role we must play to ensure the next generation of Black designers and creators are given the resources and opportunities to thrive. It’s why we’ve partnered with the PENSOLE Academy, an organization whose mission to create a pipeline of new designers to the footwear industry, and New Balance to create a program that aims to do just that. As part of our $200 million commitment to invest in Black communities called, Leading Education & Economic Development (LEED), this spring we launched Designing with Sole. The program creates a path for underrepresented voices in the footwear industry, including outreach and support of the Black community and its supporters. Offered free of charge, the program is sponsored by New Balance and administered in collaboration with PENSOLE Academy, MLab, & FAAS Design Collab. Each class is part of a multi-step, global design training program that teaches participants the product creation process. The Designing with Sole program follows years of support and more than $2 million invested by Foot Locker into PENSOLE Inc., which operates the PENSOLE Footwear Design Academy. PENSOLE specializes in footwear, functional apparel and accessories, color theory, materials, prototyping, concept making, and much more. This program offers participants free tuition and a learn-by-doing curriculum that teaches students the entire footwear and apparel design process — from product inspiration and concept development, to manufacturing and branding. To date, nearly 500 students have graduated from the Academy through Foot Locker, Inc. sponsored programs, and many are currently working in the sneaker industry. Through this investment, we hope to expand PENSOLE’s mission and create the next generation of creators and designers who have made sneaker culture what it is today. All photo credits: Foot Locker, Inc. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Reginald Culpepper
President, Fulfillment and Web Services, HBCUCONNECT Clark Atlanta University class of 1998 Member Since September 2000 |
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