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Telfar Clemens is in his bag…literally! As the world prepares to head to Tokyo for the 2021 Olympics, things are a little different than the previous years. From empty stadium seats to backlash from Japanese citizens having their city serve as the host — the games will certainly be nothing like what we’ve ever seen before. Over the past two decades track and field competitors of the Liberian Olympic delegation have been seen sporting Nike, adidas, and other sportswear machines, but this year they’ve taken it up a notch with uniforms produced by Telfar Clemens, The New York Times reports. The Liberian-American designer has singlehandedly disrupted the fashion system with his guaranteed to be sold-out bags, deemed as Bushwick Birkins, and a direct-to-consumer business model which has made him a pandemic success story. Clemens has now designed genetically spliced unisex designs not just for both the opening and closing ceremonies but his one-shouldered tank along with the track...
Founder Telfar Clemens has always resisted conforming to the fashion industry. Divorcing Fashion Industry At Inception Early on, he embraced a bold sense of individuality, developing his own unique style that set him apart. This nonconformity often clashed with the uniform policies of the schools he attended, and he was similarly uninterested in following the traditional dress codes of his Liberian heritage. “I always have been interested in clothes. I’ve always had my own perspective on what I wanted to wear… I come from West African parents. I’m from Liberia and there’s a certain way of how you should dress and how you should carry yourselves and I completely was not with that, ” Clemens mentioned on “The Breakfast Club.” In 2005, Clemens introduced the world to Telfar, a New York-based unisex fashion brand designed to stand apart from the traditional fashion industry. From the outset, he distanced himself from the industry, viewing it as too closed-minded to embrace the...
If one were to walk down the hair care aisle of any major big box store, there is a high chance Shea Moisture would be on the shelves. With products like shampoos, conditioners, and oils, the natural hair care line has been serving Black and Brown communities for years. But did you know the brain behind the massive beauty and hairline is Liberian-born mogul Richelieu Dennis? From Humble Beginnings To A Purpose-Driven Mission Dennis attended Babson College and began selling shea butter from his dorm room. By the early 90s, he had leveraged his dorm room sales to start the Shea Moisture line, which would eventually become a part of the parent company Sundial Brands. However, Dennis’ journey was one of hard work, selling his product from a card table in Harlem. Beyond the entrepreneurial spirit, Dennis recognized his product was not just a hustle but a connection to something greater. “But for me, there was this overwhelming sense of responsibility: there were no real products or...
Not everyone gets the opportunity for a second chance at life, so Nyene Baker isn’t taking his for granted. The Trenton, NJ, native’s previous path of being in the system began when he was arrested at age 10 and found himself on probation in the sixth grade. By high school, he started to sell drugs and get involved in other illegal activity. Baker’s behavior at the time resulted in his parents sending him to Liberia. However, when he returned to the U.S., he found himself back in a life of crime.
With the drop of Beyoncé’s latest album, the “Summer Renaissance” is upon us. The 16-track project gives out bops that are likely ideal for a good brunch situation, a vogue competition, and positive vibes. However, the track mentioned above from the album, “Renaissance,” highlights the Liberian American, Black-owned luxury label, Telfar. With that one mention, the already popular bag spiked in popularity, and now millions are on standby for the Aug. 5 drop of its upcoming collection.
The leading U.S. wholesaler of branded cannabis products just leveled up its board of directors! Cresco Labs has appointed seasoned executive Tarik Brooks to its board of directors effective immediately, Business Wire reports. Brooks is the current President of Combs Enterprises where he is responsible for overseeing all business operations and investments owned by Sean “Diddy” Combs. The diverse portfolio includes moves in the spirits industry through CÎROC Vodka and DeLeón Tequila, media through REVOLT TV, music through iconic label Bad Boy Records, consumer packaged goods with the AquaHydrate brand and education through the Capital Preparatory Schools. Brooks is also responsible for new business development activity which includes the launch of “Our Fair Share,” a platform designed to help minority-owned businesses gain access to capital through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tarik Amin (@tarikamin) “I’m thrilled to welcome...
Each February, Black History Month in the United States sends a (much-needed) reminder that Black Americans didn’t just help build this country — our history is American history. For Cloudflare, an Internet infrastructure security company, amplifying Black voices is something it strives to do 365 days a year. “Black History Month is a time to call attention to and highlight these stories and individuals that are often left out or forgotten. We have the opportunity to bring those stories into the light,” says Cloudflare Software Engineer Sieh Johnson. Since joining Cloudflare almost two years ago, Johnson has carved out a successful career as a full stack Software Engineer and the Global Lead of Afroflare , the company’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) to empower Black employees and allies. Her drive stems from her multicultural upbringing. “I come from a very diverse background; my mother is from Liberia in West Africa, and my dad is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I grew up straddling...
As the fight against coronavirus continues, Rwanda has introduced a new solution to test and treat COVID-19 patients. According to CNN , the East African nation has enlisted the help of five anti-epidemic robots donated by the United Nations Development Program to the Kanyinya Treatment Centre treating sick patients in the capital city, Kigali. Today, at Kanyinya Treatment Centre, @UNDP_Rwanda handed over five (5) Smart Anti-Epidemic Robots to the Government of Rwanda, represented by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of ICT and Innovation. pic.twitter.com/PVeTMYJHQu — Ministry of ICT and Innovation | Rwanda (@RwandaICT) May 19, 2020 The anti-epidemic robots are said to conduct mass temperature screening, monitor patient status, and keep track of medical records of COVID-19 patients, according to Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation . “These robots will perform temperature screening in our treatment centers. The robots will detect people walking in not wearing masks so that...
Living in today’s digital age amid the worldwide fight for social justice, social media activism has become a huge hot-button topic. While many argue that posting on social media contributes little to legislative change and reform, there’s still some good that comes from spreading positive and informative messages via social channels. According to a study , social networking platforms have emerged as a key venue for political debate and discussion and a place to engage in civic-related activities. As many users have participated in big and small acts in social activism online, there are leaders in the Black community who have taken it a step further. Check out a list of leaders and influencers whose online activism extends beyond their digital platforms below: Gia Peppers Photo Credit: LinkedIn Multi-talented entertainment journalist and on-air talent Gia Peppers has always been regarded as a huge supporter of Black culture and telling Black stories. Her platform has given way for...
Gaining capital for startup companies is a challenge in itself, but recently there’s been an outpour of initiatives and programs being created to provide more funding for minority entrepreneurs. Many women and minorities are almost always left out of lucrative venture capitalist funding, and according to Crunchbase , women-founded startups only receive about 9 percent of investments. To help more women entrepreneurs gain financial independence, Tracy Garley — founding partner and CEO of GoFundHer — launched a new crowdfunding platform committed to helping women receive the financial and community support they need, Black Enterprise reports . Photo credit: Instagram / @_gofundher With a goal in mind to advocate for women’s dream ventures, the Liberian-born entrepreneur partnered with crowdfunding owner and founding partner Roger Mensah to bring her vision to life. “I developed the crowdfunding website and social club as sister companies embracing the causes of girls and women,”...
Netta Jenkins , vice president of Global Inclusion for Mosaic Group and Ask Applications, an IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IAC) company and author , has long worked to address issues of diversity in the workplace. Now, along with Jacinta Mathis, senior growth director of KeyMe, Jenkins is seeking to address empowerment as well. The two tech innovators are the proud founders of Dipper , a digital solutions platform that connects people of color and helps employers and employees navigate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace. Dipper enables employees of color to express workplace issues, concerns, or feedback in a safe digital space. The experiences, whether positive or negative, are recorded and then translated into meaningful data for both expectant employers and potential employees. The end result is a two-way street: a means for employees to be heard without fear of ramifications, and a way for employers to receive and address concerns from a neutral...
Over the course of his presidency, Donald Trump has had a lot to say about social media companies, and he’s accused several of censoring conservative voices. Now, it seems the president is escalating his supposed fight for free speech. On Wednesday, the Trump administration launched an online form asking people to share stories regarding tech bias. The form, called the “Tech Bias Story Sharing Tool” opens with the following message: “SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS should advance FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Yet too many Americans have seen their accounts suspended, banned, or fraudulently reported for unclear “violations” of user policies. No matter your views, if you suspect political bias caused such an action to be taken against you, share your story with President Trump.” The form request that people submit evidence alongside their stories if possible, such as links of Tweets or screenshots of emails from social media companies. There is no clear information on where the data goes. However,...