Black Footwear Forum

It’s a movement not a moment. Shout out to the Atlanta chapter and The Athlete's Foot for teaching us a lesson on the impact of community and mentorship.

The best investment? People. Mentorship matters because growth happens in community. Shoutout to our ATL chapter for setting the tone with last week's Mentorship Evolved convo-proof that when we pour into each other, we ALL win. Huge thank you to our partners at The Athlete's Foot for hosting!

AAA has partnered with Pensole Lewis College and the National Black Footwear Forum to honor three winning artists, Mila Lynn, Redd and Torrence Jayy, from the MARKT’D: Art on Canvas program. In recognition of Black History Month and the ongoing need for awareness, artists created pieces celebrating Black culture’s influence on society. Their work can be seen showcased on billboards throughout Detroit. AAA believes in the importance of access to higher education with a commitment to community advocacy and inspiring others to make a positive difference in the world. ?? ??

?? Our first meetup of 2025 is here! The Atlanta Chapter is kicking off the year with Mentorship Evolved, a powerful conversation on building stronger, smarter relationships. Join us next Thursday from 6-8PM at The Athlete's Foot as we connect, learn, and grow together. Huge thanks to The Athlete’s Foot for hosting us—see you there! ???? RSVP HERE: https://lnkd.in/erBksFsk

Congratulations to Chris Dixon, Senior Footwear Designer at Timberland, for winning the inaugural D’Wayne Edwards Educator Icon Award at the 2024 Black Footwear Forum. Chris and Timberland partner to offer Youth Design workshops that empower young creatives.

?? Exciting Opportunity for Women in Footwear! ?? We’re thrilled to share that the SOLEcial Studies CommUNITY Academy (SSCA) has partnered with the Two Ten Footwear Foundation as part of their WIFI (Women in the Footwear Industry) initiative! This partnership brings an exclusive, ladies-only SOLEcial Studies course—completely FREE—for women working in the footwear industry or in related fields. Strictly for the Ladies will be held from March 5-April 2, 2025. All sessions are virtual. Interested? Simply register and complete a short grant application to participate. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to grow and connect! REGISTRATION: https://lnkd.in/gMMfWCj9

When there’s an opportunity to show up for our community, we run toward it. ??♂? ? In September, we sponsored Take The Lead Retreat and the Black Footwear Forum, two events which invited voices from the outdoor industry to speak on their support and advocacy of diversity in the running industry and beyond. ? Here are some Brooks speaker highlights: -Jonathan Guisbert, Footwear Designer for Elite Athletes at Brooks Running, spoke to his career journey in front of Black Footwear Forum attendees, from being an accountant to designing footwear for world class athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics. -Lara S. Loes, DEI Programs Analyst at Brooks, joined three other industry leaders on Take the Lead’s sponsor panel, sharing her perspective on navigating the current DEI environment while pursuing racial equity. -Garvey Buchongo-Whitlow, Run Perception Researcher and founding member of Brooks Soul, our Black Employee Resource Group, joined the “TappedIn Panel” breakout session at the Black Footwear Forum to discuss the many pathways to establishing a successful career in the running industry. We had many more teammates attend both industry events, and we look forward to continuing the conversation and partnership with Black Footwear Forum and Take the Lead. #LetsRunThere #BrooksLife #DEI #TaketheLead #BlackFootwearForum

This year, Jaime Wynn, President of Jimmy Choo North America, had the incredible honor of being an esteemed guest speaker at the?Black Footwear Forum (BFF), sitting on the Women in Leadership panel. ? “I was incredibly honored to join American?fashion?designer?Tracy Reese?on stage at the Black Footwear Forum,?where we discussed the importance of mentorship and giving back to others. I left feeling inspired and grateful for the opportunity to share my journey, but also influence and empower others to celebrate our achievements, working towards an equitable future for all.”?- Jaime Wynn ? The Black Footwear Forum exists to celebrate and safeguard the influence, leadership, and creativity of Black professionals in the global footwear industry. Bringing together nearly 500 industry professionals, students, and emerging talent, the forum creates a unique space to discuss, celebrate, and shape the future of Black talent in footwear and fashion. ? We’re proud to support initiatives like BFF and their vital mission to develop and advance Black talent at all levels! ? #JimmyChoo?#CapriCares

Did you watch yet? Check out our Blacklights episode with Anya Ayoung-Chee now at https://lnkd.in/g4G2cBsx

In episode 4 of The Blacklights Podcast E, host Lashae and Dion sit down with Jessica Smith, CEO of Industry Education and cofounder of SEED (School for Experiential Education and Design) and Deannelys Corcino, SEED alumnus and designer. Hear from Jessica alongside Deannelys, where they discuss SEED's mission to cultivate diverse talent in sport and fashion design, highlighting their innovative approach to addressing talent pipeline challenges and creating opportunities for women of color in the design world. Watch now at https://lnkd.in/eTZMFja3!