Thriving all 2023
It's been a while since our last CWC update, and our third year has been nothing short of a thrilling roller coaster! So, fasten your seatbelts because there's a lot to catch you up on.
We kicked off the year by welcoming 30 new high school students into our pre-college programs. These bright minds, spanning from 9th to 12th grade, come from all corners of the United States and outside of the country, including the British Virgin Islands and Barbados. Among our Year 3 Fellows are some familiar faces like Isabelle, now in her third year with us, and fresh talents like Charlotte, a ballet enthusiast, adding her own unique perspective to fashion design.
CWC Year 1 Fellow Isabelle Jean
This is Isabelle's 3rd year with CWC, she's been with us since the beginning! She snagged the victory in this year's Journal Entry Contest winning an iPad!
Before our future fashion leaders dove into their pre-college summer programs, we maintained the momentum from 2022 by deepening our connections with partner companies.
This journey began with an innovative partnership with our iconic partner, Urban Outfitters, and their "Round-up Campaign." Coinciding with Black History Month, Urban Outfitters customers rounded their purchases up to the nearest dollar at checkout, raising a phenomenal $102,802.60 directly benefiting Creatives Want Change. We would like to send out a heartfelt thank you to Urban Outfitters for reinforcing their commitment to aiding CWC in supporting the next generation of Black designers.
Urban Outfitters Round-up Campaign
This poster was at every register in all Urban Outfitters stores across the country!
Spring marked the commencement of our groundbreaking CAMP SKIMS X CWC virtual program—a unique training and engagement initiative exclusively for CWC Fellows. Fellows attended four private virtual sessions, led by industry leaders from both SKIMS and CWC. Each dynamic session equipped our Fellows with essential skills and fresh perspectives crucial for the early stages of their education and careers. Covering career areas like Resume and Cover Letters, HR and Recruiting in Fashion, Designing for a Brand, and Merchandising, SKIMS leaders shared their unique skill sets directly with Fellows, providing insights into their brand.
In addition to the virtual camp, one CWC Fellows was offered a coveted paid internship at the SKIMS Headquarters in California over the summer. The Fellow was chosen based on their engagened level during the session. The internship will not only help boost their application when seeking full time employment, but it will also allow them to make connections in SKIMS for future or current endeavors.
CWC Year 1 Fellow Dayne
Dayne won the summer 2023 internship at the SKIMS headquarters in California. Her internship went so well, she’s already on the books for another internship at SKIMS next summer!
Spring concluded on a high note as three distinguished CWC Fellows—Donald, DaNae, and Dayne—attended the Formula One Miami Grand Prix weekend , sponsored by our partner Tommy Hilfiger in May 2023. This exclusive event provided Fellows the privilege of meeting Awake NY founder, Angelo Baque, and Formula One icon Lewis Hamilton. They explored how each brand developed a capsule collection for the Miami Grand Prix and even experienced the exhilarating "hot lap," racing around the Grand Prix track in a customized Tommy Hilfiger X Mercedes Benz F1 Race car. This adventure was more than a sports spectacle; it served as an exploration of the intersection between fashion and sports.
Historically, these events are out of the reach for many, especially Black talent. We're grateful to Tommy Hilfiger for helping change that and providing our Fellows with an opportunity to experience the world of fashion intersecting with sports.
CWC Fellows DaNae, Donald and Dayne with NY founder Angelo Baque, Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton and our very own Randy Cousin.
Amidst all the excitement this year, let's not overlook our invaluable mentorships. Throughout the spring, our Fellows had the privilege of being guided by outstanding fashion leaders from renowned brands such as Gap, J.Crew, Patagonia, URBN, Calvin Klein, and SKIMS. Our mentorship program offers our Fellows a unique opportunity to gain insider's insight. Having a seasoned professional from the fashion industry in their corner, sharing their knowledge and experiences to our Fellows. CWC Fellows are able to pick the brain of industry professionals, learn how they solve problems, learn what their day-to-day activities are, and receive advice and guidance with their own young careers. Our Mentorship program provides a pathway to wisdom and growth in the world of fashion.
This year, thanks to the generous support of our donors and partner brands, we were able to send more students to attend in-person programs. Our Fellows took flights to pre-college programs all around the country with full support from CWC. It's a testament to the power of collaboration and the belief in nurturing young Black creative talent that this is possible.
The VF Foundation
We like to express our gratitude to the VF Foundation. A valued partner over the past 3 years, Creatives Want Change was awarded our third $50,000 grant this fall. This generous contribution will play a pivotal role in funding our upcoming summer programs.
Our sponsor schools, loyal companions for three years now, include the Academy of Art, Parsons, OTIS, FIT, RISD, CCA, and SCAD. Each of these institutions bring something unique to the table. While they all share a foundation in art and design, their individual approaches to the design process offer our Fellows a diverse and enriching experience. For our returning Fellows, attending multiple programs becomes a dynamic journey that shapes and elevates their skill set. It's not just about education; it's about learning different perspectives, methodologies, and connecting with like-minded peers.
As the summer drew to a close, Parsons opened its doors for an in-person open studio, offering parents, friends, and the public a glimpse into the captivating designs crafted by students over the summer. Our CWC social media intern, Asanté, seized the opportunity to connect with Fellows attending Parsons, skillfully capturing their remarkable design projects. Asanté even had the privilege of conducting interviews with CWC Fellow’s professors, unraveling the details of how their summer programs were run and steps students took to complete their designs. “It was an awesome experience to meet our talented Fellows and witness firsthand what the future leaders of fashion are passionately working on and their creative processes.”
CWC Year 3 Fellow Ayanna
Ayanna showcased her work during Parsons Open studio this summer. She gained a much clearer understanding of the role she intends to have in the fashion industry during her Fashion Styling course.
We also hosted our 3rd annual career panel, adding another layer to our enriching journey! The panel featured prominent figures from the fashion industry, representing some of our esteemed sponsor brands. Year 3 Fellows were given the opportunity to ask personalized questions and forge connections with executives and directors from Reformation, Urban Outfitters, Décor Apparel, and Patagonia, along with fashion business owners.
We wrapped up the summer on a high note with our inaugural CWC Reunion! We visited the captivating Africa Fashion Exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, followed by a delightful dinner at the Brooklyn restaurant Rangoon. The exhibit served as a powerful source of inspiration for our Fellows. Witnessing garments crafted by our ancestors alongside the creations of present-day Black fashion leaders evoked a gratifying and rewarding feeling. The experience connected the threads of the past with the vibrant tapestry of the present, instilling a sense of pride and motivation among our Fellows. The evening was a joyous occasion, providing an opportunity to reconnect with Fellows from past and present years. It was dope to discover the exciting projects they are currently working on and witness their remarkable growth. The opportunity to observe their growth and educational progress has been truly amazing, and we are grateful to be a part of each Fellow's journey.
CWC Fellows during our Reunion this year outside of the Brooklyn Museum.
As we step into the heart of fall, we're gearing up for our third consecutive fall of offering mentorship opportunities for our Fellows. Additionally, we are eagerly anticipating our end-of-year fundraiser, aiming to garner more donations to support the future of Black design talent. It’s the season of continued growth, connection, and unwavering commitment to fostering the next generation of Black creative leaders.
