With the upcoming Black Footwear Forum, I decided to check in on Timberland a VF Corp company, to see if the brand had remained true to their Announcement to Improve Racial Equity within the company: https://www.vfc.com/news/press-release/1750/vf-corporation-announces-new-programs-and-actions-to What I found is one of the best stories of the year in the sneaker industry. The company has…
YOUR JOURNEY TO BECOME A BLACKLIGHT BEGINS HERE Coming soon Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design is partnering with Carhartt to bring you an immersive hands-on class experience to teach aspiring designers the knowledge and skills they need to excel in the industry. Source: Class 1 – New Balance – Welcome to…
In this new partnership, Designer Brands will invest in the first Black-owned footwear factory in the United States – JEMS by Pensole – to produce shoes designed by PLC graduate students, to be sold exclusively at DSW. Source: Designer Brands Announces $2 Million Investment into First Black-Owned U.S. Footwear Factory, Partnering with Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, President of…
While we’ve been writing our sneaker lists and checking them twice, the Governor of Detroit knew who was nice and worthy of a year end bill being signed into law. Unlike Schoolhouse Rock, where a bill has to become a law, there isn’t any head hanging of the bill sitting on the government steps here. …
While sneaker and mainstream media celebrates the latest “Nike doing big things with Serena” Collection, I decided to take a dig into social media to check up on brands I began following during the height of “Supporting Black Businesses” to find out if any real support has taken place after all of the issues over…
Source: Allbirds x PENSOLE presents Better Responsible Design Program (BRD) – Pensole Design Academy NOTE: Applications for the BRD program are open today (April 19) through Monday, May 24. The course will run for six weeks starting Monday, June 7th. Allbirds & PENSOLE are searching for aspiring designers who want to help reshape how the world perceives sustainability. We…
Download the Submission Brief: https://pensole.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EDITED-PENSOLE-SUBMISSION-BRIEF.pdf VF CORPORATION’S TIMBERLAND®, VANS® AND THE NORTH FACE® BRANDS ANNOUNCE ‘DIVERCITY X DESIGN’ IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PENSOLE ACADEMY™ Year-long design and education apprenticeship program aims to cultivate and advance BIPOC talent within the footwear industry; Open enrollment begins March 9 DENVER, CO – March 9, 2021 – VF Corporation (NYSE:…
Register for the Envision Mentorship Program: https://pensole.com/master-class/the-envision-mentorship-program/ The Envision Mentorship program seeks to connect the creative youth with a life enhancing opportunity by connecting them to industry visionaries in the fields of design, journalism, music, media, and marketing. Qualified candidates for the Envision Mentorship program will receive career guidance and exclusive product to prepare them…
Buy my books on the sneaker industry: https://amzn.to/3lD82gb New Balance x Pensole on FootLocker: https://www.footlocker.com/category/collection/new-balance-pensole.html?fbclid=IwAR1FDxTx0oIIvvqwHUsDu4dDwGYTPHyEK3I3A8vnSnLkr5LDnfWc58fxc-U New Balance x Pensole Video on NB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1UEAU9v6pg I’ve been writing about the relationship between Pensole and FootLocker since I learned that they placed seed money into the Instructional Design Academy. I’ve long discussed that retail will have to…
Source: A design program in partnership with Pensole at the Brooklyn Creator Farm supported by Pharrell Williams. Less than a month ago I wrote a post scratching the surface of the problem of creating diversity in the sneaker industry: adidas’ Dilemma, Nike’s Reality and All Industries’ ‘Truths’: a Paradox On the Difficult Path to Equality…
Source: Pensole Design Academy – Portland, Oregon BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 9, 2020 – As the world leader in producing high-performance rubber outsoles, Vibram has signed a multi-year partnership agreement with PENSOLE Academy, which starts this year. This new agreement further establishes the longstanding relationship between the two organizations in fostering strong industry relationships and developing innovations. In this…
Footlocker’s Greenhouse is an incubator that will provide an introduction to small brands and artists who are looking to reach people interested in supporting indie fashion labels that won’t be covered on the major sneaker and streetwear websites. The problem is the App launched on September 17th, 2019 with the founder of PSNY which isn’t…
photo by Dee Wells @deewellsosd Initially, I said no. When Stephen Green took his time to graciously invite an unknown to what I now consider one of the most important conferences in the sneaker industry, I initially said no. I was trapped inside of something that often prevents the success of many; money. I…
Footwear Design Academy founded by D’Wayne Edwards, former Jordan Brand designer, just made a major move that is a game changer. The school of sneaker design just garnered a 2 Million dollar investment from Foot Locker. This makes two Black owned companies that Foot Locker has invested in to start the new year. This is…
The New York City-based athletic footwear and apparel retailer on Thursday announced a $2 million investment in Pensole Footwear Design Academy, the Portland-based school that Edwards started in 2010 to teach the next generation of designers. The investment is the biggest sign yet that Pensole has emerged as a critical part of the athletic footwear…
December 20, 2018: Matt Priest posted images on LinkedIn Source: we will be gathering as an industry at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture to celebrate the innumerable contributions African Americans have given to our industry As multiple Black executives seem to be climbing the ladder towards a glass ceiling,…
Originally named Atlas18, CODDI™ is the brainchild of Pensole graduate, Matthew Walters. Matt developed footwear for Under Armour before taking the extremely difficult dive into brand ownership. I realize how difficult this is so I had to take the time to ask a few questions. This Project + Exec will give you some insight into…
Source: https://pensole.com/pensole-skills-academy/ PENSOLE SKILLS ACADEMY | DESIGN SUMMER STUDY PENSOLE Skills Academy is the ideal design summer study program. Six days of class to sharpen skills in the following design disciplines: 3D modeling, Color & Material Design, Concept Creation, Footwear Design, and Functional Apparel & Accessory Design. From high school students looking to start or improve portfolio’s to…
Source: http://sneakerheadofstate.com As a former high school head coach, teacher and college professor my entire YouTube channel and all of my websites cater to one thing, educating and empowering those who don’t realize there are opportunities in the world of sneakers that go way beyond just copping and reselling. D’Wayne Edwards is placing a call…
Bacara is a lifestyle footwear brand that is all about aesthetics. We step out with style. (pictured above Bacara Blade Shadow) Source: Bacara PENSOLE is doing what sneakerheads really need to understand is important about the kicks community. The school of design founded by D’Wayne Edwards is taking concepts from the tablet to conception and…
I was in the process of backing up my site and doing routine Saturday night maintenance on the site and I discovered this post on Linkedin and decided to share it asap. As often as I discuss going from sneakerhead to boss, it’s great to hear it verbalized by industry professionals like the people…
pensole_academy Want to design sneakers with D’Wayne Edwards? Check out Lace Up: The Ultimate Sneaker Challenge on #YTRedOriginals 1. Watch the episode. 2. See the challenge 3. Submit your own design for that challenge at laceup.tv Winners will receive a Pensole scholarship!
