Expanding Opportunities - 2025 A Year in Review
2025 marked a defining chapter for Creatives Want Change (CWC). As we entered our fifth year, our focus sharpened around one clear goal: supporting underrepresented designers.
Not only at the start of their journeys, but all the way through college and into the industry.
This year, we expanded access, strengthened our partnerships, and improved the long term impact of our programs.
Launching CWC College Scholarships
One of the most significant milestones in our organization’s history came in March with the launch of CWC College Scholarships. After five years of providing pre-college programs, mentorship, internships, and outreach opportunities, we officially added college scholarships as our fifth program pillar.
CWC College Scholarship Recipients Riley and Jashlyn
All current and future CWC Fellows are now eligible to earn scholarships starting at $10,000, helping remove financial barriers for students pursuing degrees in fashion design. These scholarships ensure our Fellows can fully focus on their education after completing CWC’s pre-college programs.
This initiative was made possible through our corporate partnerships, including The Children’s Place and Urban Outfitters, both committed to providing scholarships with and internship opportunities. These investments represent a focus on pricing our Fellows with support beyond pre-college.
Our 5th Summer of Pre College Programs
In the summer we sent our fifth class of 25 students to fully funded pre-college fashion programs across the country. Fellows studied at top institutions, refining their technical skills, building portfolio ready work, and gaining firsthand experience in college level creative environments.
CWC Year 3 Fellow Charlotte during her FIT pre-college program this summer.
In addition to pre-college programs, five Fellows were matched with paid internships during the summer, further strengthening the bridge between education and industry experience.
By the end of summer 2025:
CWC has provided over 100 underrepresented students with pre-college scholarships
48 Fellows are enrolled in undergraduate fashion programs (1 graduated)
Over $70,000 in college scholarships have been awarded
CWC Year 4 Noel scholarship announcement
Corporate Internships That Change Trajectories
Corporate partnerships were a defining force throughout 2025, providing Fellows with real world experience inside leading fashion organizations.
Kaleyce, a Year 3 Fellow, completed a Design Internship at The Children’s Place, contributing to the Fall 2026 and Back to School collections. She designed a full activewear capsule, created flat sketches in Adobe Illustrator, participated in fittings, and presented her work to senior leadership including the CEO.
Alongside the internship, Kaleyce also received a college scholarship to support her education.
Kaleyce during her internship
Through URBN, Fellows Genevieve and Isabelle secured internships at Nuuly and Antropologie. Genevieve’s work included creating digital assets for campaigns, building mood boards, shadowing cross functional teams, and producing a capstone project that culminated in a full activation and presentation to leadership.
Genevieve during her internship
At Anthropologie, Isabelle stepped into the fast-paced world of fashion marketing, contributing to the brand’s digital storytelling and social identity. Her responsibilities included researching content trends, sourcing samples for videos, directing and editing TikToks, and pitching video concepts for the official Anthropologie TikTok account.
Isabelle during her internship
DaNae, a Year 2 Fellow and Spelman graduate, interned at Louis Vuitton Americas through our partnership with RAISEfashion. Working within Human Resources and corporate social responsibility, she supported DEI initiatives, recruitment strategy, and talent pipeline development at a global luxury brand.
DaNae at her internship
Mentorship, Community, and Career Growth
During the fall, CWC matched 11 Fellows with industry mentors, bringing our total mentorships to over 90. Mentors provided guidance on everything from portfolio development and career navigation to confidence building and professional identity.
CWC Year 2 Fellow Samara with her mentor Executive Director of Marketing at Nully Kim Gallagher
Community continued to be a cornerstone of our work. In partnership with Urban Outfitters, we hosted a Holiday Nights celebration in New York City to honor five years of collaboration and collective impact.
During the event, Fellows Jashlyn and Riley were surprised with college scholarships to support their studies at Fashion Institute of Technology.
CWC Fellows Jashlyn and Riley with CWC Program Director Namasha and CWC Co-founder Matthew
The 2025 CWC Annual Reunion
Our annual reunion brought Fellows together in New York City for a day of industry exposure, learning, and connection. The 2025 reunion included visits to some of fashion’s most influential spaces.
CWC Fellows and team with our Tiffany tour guide Soroya
Fellows toured Tiffany & Co.’s flagship store in Manhattan, gaining insight into craftsmanship, brand legacy, and design excellence. The day continued at Balenciaga’s Americas headquarters and new Manhattan store, where Fellows learned about brand vision, visual merchandising, and storytelling.
CWC Fellows and team with the Balenciaga’s Americas Team
Our final stop was the Teen Vogue offices, guided by former Executive Editor Dani Kwateng, a longtime CWC supporter. The reunion concluded with a shared dinner, strengthening bonds across cohorts and celebrating the power of community.
CWC Fellows during our trip to Teen Vogue offices
Looking Ahead
In 2025, Creatives Want Change didn’t just grow - we evolved. We expanded our mission to meet Fellows at every stage of their journey, from pre college exploration to college success and professional entry into the fashion industry.
None of this would be possible without our Fellows, partners, mentors, and supporters who believe in long term investment over short term access.
As we look ahead to 2026, we remain committed to building pathways that ensure underrepresented designers are not only seen, but supported, resourced, and positioned to lead.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
