Being the Design Director at adidas School for Experiential Education in Design (S.E.E.D), Thornhill-Goldson works to build a community for young designers, specifically women of color.

Working beside her counterparts Jessica Smith and Liz Connelly — the co-founders of the program — the team is committed to providing access, awareness, and a pathway to help open the door for more women to tap into the plethora of jobs that are in the industry.

The students are also actively supported as they are paid throughout the entire course of the program — essentially being paid to learn as Thornhill-Goldson puts it. Additionally, they’re paid a housing stipend each month. Financial assistance is a part of how adidas S.E.E.D aims to lessen the barriers students face.

“It’s really about creating equity,” she said. “We try to remove as many barriers as possible. So, our students just have to be at least 18 years of age and able to work in the U.S. Those are the only requirements. And to be a woman of color because that’s who we’re focusing on.”

She continued: “No resume, no portfolio. None of the things that you have to have to get into one of the top 10 art schools. Our whole premise is really experiential. We create opportunities for our students to experience design and work with us and collaborate with us. And we evaluate them on their ability to collaborate, to take feedback and implement it, and to be curious — all of the leadership qualities one would need to be successful. We believe that we can teach you how to design. We can teach everyone how to draw or design, anything.”

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In 2020, S.E.E.D welcomed its inaugural class. Two years later, it’s now currently recruiting for its third generation. The two-year program extends beyond just footwear and has featured the likes of intensive instruction through product creation, working with adidas women’s originals for a shoe collection, as well as apparel, accessories, and backpacks.

The goal is for the young creators to become more well-rounded designers.

Cheresse Thornhill-Goldson

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