Black Sneaker Designer’s Academy Get Investment From Footlocker

#RunTheCulture

We’ve got an update on our Black Run Sneaker Design Academy story. The largest sneaker seller in the industry, Foot Locker Inc. has made a $2 million investment in Pensole Inc.

Pensole Footwear Design Academy in Portland is the country’s premier school for shoe design and is the brainchild of D’Wayne Edward who went from the mail room at L.A. Gear to becoming the first black person to design a signature Jordan sneaker.

Foot Locker first supported Edwards and his vision for Pensole in 2015 through an annual master class design competition, “Fueling the Future of Footwear.” Thirty students who have gone through the Foot Locker and Pensole Master classes are working in the industry. Foot Locker has also sold three styles created from the class globally. Together, Foot Locker, its vendor partners and Pensole will collaborate on new educational programs and the design and manufacturing of exclusive products for the Foot Locker family of brands. This is a major look for Pensole.

Sneakers are one of The Culture’s go-to’s for self-expression. One of the main fashion accessories to complete the look and we play a major role in which kicks are considered hot. But on the creative side, we were not the ones designing them and getting into the shoe game on that design end was something very difficult to do. Keyword, was. Thanks to the Pensole and Edwards who are now at the forefront of helping aspiring designers achieve their dreams and continue to play their part in shaping the look and the style of The Culture.

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Written by @TalentedMrFord

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