JJ Alumna Learns about Reebok Sneaker Design Program through Jack and Jill Inc. x BOKS Partnership

By Candace Moore, Communications Manager at Jack and Jill of America

Jack and Jill Inc. Alumna Ashley Hamilton completed an educational program from Reebok, Yellowbrick, APB, and Jobs for the Future. As a result, she was a part of a collaborative design trio which developed a shoe for production and sale through fashion and sneaker retailer APB. Ashley, a freshman marketing major at Howard University and 2021 Graduate of JJ DFW Mid-Cities Chapter, learned about the program through our Jack and Jill Inc. partnership with BOKS.

Launched last year, the 12-week online program worked with 36 individuals, ages 17-20, to develop the relevant knowledge, skills, and experience needed for a pathway into the sneaker industry.?Ashley entered the program because she has a passion for fashion design and marketing. She wanted to expand her skills and knowledge of the fashion industry due to her career aspiration of brand marketing for a major fashion label or eventually becoming a partner and creating her own apparel brand.?

The sneaker development opportunity was a bonus project for the three students who submitted the most compelling designs and plans. The selected design came from Isaac “Ikey” Reeves, a creative director and artist from Lafayette, Indiana. Ashley and Ben Gass, a student at the University of Oregon from San Diego, CA, were selected for their additional talents and helped execute the production and marketing behind the shoe. Inspired by the “Dream in the night, achieve in the day” motto, “Duality” was crafted by the three aspiring students with a passion for design, creativity, and industry knowledge. Ashley performed the role of Marketing Lead.

“The program was a great opportunity to collaborate on a sneaker design from concept” said Ashley about her experience. “We had mentors that provided support during the process in design, product development and marketing.??Although we each led specific areas, we worked as a team. There we challenges working remote and sometimes difficult to?keep everything on track but I am grateful for the experience. I learned a lot and I am proud of what we accomplished.”

The limited 150 numbered pairs of APB x Yellowbrick x Reebok “Duality” sneakers dropped at all APB boutiques and nationwide at apbstore.com on Friday, April 29th and can be found here. Net proceeds from the purchases will go toward additional funding for the program which the program partners hope to kick off in the coming months.

The JJ x BOKS partnership provides free physical activity and wellness resources to JJ chapters and communities across the country. Learn more about our JJ x BOKS Kids partnership here and the BOKS initiative.

Additional articles:

• Educational Program from Reebok, Yellowbrick, APB, and Jobs for the Future Culminates in Retail Sneaker Drop
• APB x Yellowbrick x Reebok: Classic Leather Legacy “Duality”