• 2023 National Black Footwear Forum

    Agenda

  • Event Schedule

    DAY 1

    Thursday, September 21 | PLC Campus

     

    4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Sponsored by Pepsi

    7:00 - 10:00 PM   Opening Night Mixer by Bacardi and Art Community Engagement Panel- Open to ALL registered attendees

     

    Art Community Engagement Panel featuring:

    • Moderator: Dion Walcott, Founder of MARTK'D and Director of Partnership for PLC
    • Tracey Allsbrook, Asst Brand Marketing, Champion
    • Gary Bushrod, Global Head of Diversity Equality & Inclusion, Amazon Music
    • Micah A. Shumake, Detroit Artist Dictator of Taste

    Networking Mixer feat. Special Guest DJ Kawan Prather

    DAY 2

    Friday, September 22 | PLC Campus

     

    8:30 AM Breakfast & Registration Check-in

    9:30 AM Welcome & Remarks

    • D'Wayne Edwards, Founder, Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design 
    • Matt Priest, President & CEO, FDRA 
    • Astor Chambers, Host/Co-Founder of Culture Raises US

    9:45 AMOpening Keynote // Culture is Currency with Grandmaster Caz

    • Moderator: Astor Chambers, Host/Co-Founder of Culture Raises US
    • Grandmaster Caz, Hip-Hop Legend & Pioneer

    10:15 AM50 Deep: Examining the history of hip hop, design, & culture with Hidden Figures

    • Moderator: April Walker,  CEO, Walker Wear & A. Walker Group
    • Elena Romero, Assistant Chair and Assistant Professor, Marketing Communications at FIT
    • Shara McHayle, Co-Founder and President of Hoop 88 Dreams
    • Kianga "Kiki" Milele, Creator of K. Milele
    • Sybil Pinnex, Owner of GR8FULLGIRL, Zeitgeist of the 90’s

    11:00 AMJEMS by PENSOLE Spotlight: Highlighting the first black-owned shoe factory in the U.S.

    • Moderator: Dr. D'Wayne Edwards, Founder, Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design 
    • Bill Jordan, President, Designer Brands

    11:30 AM Black Genius Conversation with Rupert Campbell

    • Moderator: Sheena Butler-Young, Senior Correspondent, The Business of Fashion (BoF)
    • Rupert Campbell, President, Adidas North America

     

    12:00 PM — Break Out Sessions: 

    Break Out Session 1: The State of Self Care - Importance of mental, physical, spiritual health (women focused)

    Reserve your seat

    • Moderator: Katara McCarty, Public Speaker, Coach, and Founder of Exhale App 
    • Monique Shekarchi, Key City Marketing Manager, Lululemon
    • April Dinwoodie, Head of DEIB, Steve Madden
    • Daziah Green,  Assistant Footwear Designer, Adidas

    Break Out Session 2: Black In Action- Highlighting black leaders in other industries

    Reserve your seat

    • Moderator: Darrell Booker, Corporate Affairs Specialist, Microsoft
    • Michael Ford, Hip Hop Architect and Educator
    • Merrie Dudley, Owner & Creative Director, merriexmas toys & merried xo
    • Brian Thompson, Senior Journeyman Banknote and Product Designer   

    1:00 PM — Lunch/Networking Break

     

    Sessions with the Sneaker Lawyer - Stop by attorney and Sneaker Law author Kenneth Anand's table during the lunch break for free legal consultations and advice courtesy of Jayaram Law - Lawyers for Innovators™️. Consultations will be first come first serve and limited to 10 minutes. 

     

    2:15 PMWomen In… : Highlighting women in leadership

    • Moderator: Carmen Andrade Hardaway, Global Director, Energy Collaborations & Social Purpose Product, Reebok
    • Jennifer Ford, Founder & Owner, Premium Goods
    • Tamra Lewis, VP, Merchandising, Planning & Inventory Management Caleres
    • Deirdre Roberson, Founder and Creative Director of EUMELANIN and Cofounder of The Lab Drawer and Motor City STEAM Foundation
    • Reham Habib, VP, Brand Partnerships, Target

    3:10 PM The Brand of Culture: Conversation about how our identity, expression, & culture sets the trends and consumer behaviors for brands

    • Moderator: Jazerai Allen-Lord, Consultant, Founder, True to Size
    • Alexander-John, Designer/Creative Director, Alexander-John Design
    • John Wiggins, VP, Organizational Culture and Inclusion, Toronto Raptors
    • Cheresse Thornhill-Goldson, adidas / Director - Design Education & Growth, S.E.E.D
    • Kris Wright, VP, Jordan Footwear, Product & Merchandising, Nike

    3:50 PM Keynote Session // The Real DEIL (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Leadership): Raw discussion about the struggles of DEI at corporations featuring former and current position holders  

    • Moderator: Dr. D'Wayne Edwards, Founder, Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design  
    • Jarvis Sam, Founder and CEO, The Rainbow Disruption and former Chief DEI Officer at Nike
    • Amber Cabral, Inclusion Strategist, Author  
    • Michelle Marshall, Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, PUMA
    • Todd Corley, SVP, Inclusion, Sustainability & Community, Carhartt

    5:00 PM — Bacardi Presentation

     

    5:30 – 7:30 PM — Networking Mixer

    DAY 3

    Saturday, September 23 | PLC Campus

     

    8:30 AM — Breakfast & Registration Check-in

    9:30 AM — Welcome & Remarks

     

    9:45 AMBlack Genius Conversation with Larry Miller

    • Moderator: Jason Mayden, Chief Executive Officer & Creative Director, Trillicon Valley 
    • Larry Miller, Chairman, Jordan Brand

    10:15 AMThis is the Remix: Reinventing yourself and the art of the pivot

    • Moderator: Charis Marquez,  Vice President, Global Fashion, eBay
    • Darius Billings, Vice President, Marketing and Community Engagement, The Athlete's Foot
    • Chris Dixon, Senior Footwear Designer, Timberland
    • Jessica Smith, CEO & Founder i.e. & Co-Founder adidas S.E.E.D.
    • Angela Medlin, Founder, FAAS

    11:30 AMBlack Genius Conversation with Ruth Carter

    • Moderator: D'on Lauren Edwards, Footwear Designer, Michael Kors
    • Ruth Carter, Academy Award-winning costume designer

    12:15 PM — Break Out Sessions: 

    Break Out Session 1: Black Owned Everything- Providing tips, tools, & resources for black entreprenuers

    Reserve your seat

    • Moderator: Stephen Green, Founder, PitchBlack and Angel Investor
    • Donald Dudley, Senior Manager of Marketing LEED, Footlocker
    • LaToya Williams-Belfort, Executive Director, Fifteen Percent Pledge
    • Kenneth Anand, Co-Founder & Author, Sneaker Law

    Break Out Session 2: TappedIn- Navigating corporate while Black; rules of engagement & professionalism

    Reserve your seat

    • Moderator: Damien Hooper- Campbell, Chief Impact Officer, StockX
    • Sharifa Murdock, Entrepreneur, Chief Impact Officer, Kith
    • Amy Hunter, VP, Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Caleres
    • Daniel Cherry, SVP, General Manager, Adidas  
    • Tai Neal, VP, Strategy, Foot Locker

    1:15 PMLunch/Networking Break

     

    Sessions with the Sneaker Lawyer - Stop by attorney and Sneaker Law author Kenneth Anand's table during the lunch break for free legal consultations and advice courtesy of Jayaram Law - Lawyers for Innovators™️. Consultations will be first come first serve and limited to 10 minutes. 

     

    2:15 PM Music Fuels Culture: Exploring & discussing the intersection between Music, Art, Sneakers and Design

    Sponsored by: Amazon Music

    • Byron Merritt, VP of Design & Creative for Amazon Music
    • Kelley Walton, Global Head of Brand and Integrated Marketing for Amazon Music
    • Karim Wazani, Director of Partnerships for Amazon Music
    • Hosted by Blacklights Podcast Hosts, Dion Walcott & LaShae Boone-McCray

    3:00 PM — Claim A Seat: Emerging leaders in Sneakers: Providing a platform for the new generation of industry leaders to share their story and POV

    • Moderator: Bimma Williams, Co-Founder, Claima Stories
    • Jae Tips, Designer & Artist

    3:45 PM — Blacklight Awards

     

    4:15 PMFree Game: Generational Purpose - A conversation and reflection on heritage vs. legacy

    • Moderator: James Whitner, Owner of streetwear boutiques: Social Status, A Ma Maniere, and A.P.B.
    • June Ambrose, Creative Director & Designer
    • DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ, Producer, & Hip-Hop Icon

    5:00 PM — Bacardi Presentation

     

    5:30 – 9:00 PM Networking Mixer feat. Special Guest DJ Jazzy Jeff

    DAY 4

    Sunday, September 24 | PLC Campus

     

    Cultivating the Dreamer Within – a day for Her sponsored by adidas & i.e. [industry education] 

    9:00 AM - 10:00 AM — Adidas Community R&B Yoga: a unique and inclusive yoga experience that combines music with beginner friendly techniques hosted by Lauren Spearman 

    Register Here

     

    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM— Sisters in Sole Brunch Sponsored by Adidas & i.e.: break bread with your sisters in sole.

    Register Here

     

    1:00 PM- 2:30 PM — Adidas Community Leadership Workshop powered by i.e.: Dismantling Perfectionism & Reframing Failure for Women in Footwear is a leadership development workshop focused on reframing our missteps as powerful tools that drive creativity and innovation.

    Register Here

     

    Men's Leadership & Wellness Workshop – The Game Behind the Game

    9:00 AM- 11:30 AM — Men only session hosted by Jason Mayden, Kenneth Anand, Sneaker Law and Trevor Edwards, former Nike President. This session will unpack nuanced topics that impact the mental well-being of Black and Brown men in the industry. This session will also provide free legal guidance for topics such as: employment law and protections, IP, negotiating employment agreements, documenting and reporting wrong doing as a person of color in corporate America, and more.

    Register Here 

  • Thanks to our 2023 Event sponsors!

    broken image
  • Event Schedule

    DAY 1

    Thursday, September 21 | PLC Campus

     

    4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Sponsored by Pepsi
    6:00 - 8:00 PM  Champions of Detroit Opening Mixer: Sponsored by Bacardi

    DAY 2

    Friday, September 22 | PLC Campus

     

    8:30 AM Breakfast & Registration Check-in

    9:30 AM Welcome & Remarks

    9:45 AMOpening Keynote // Culture is Currency

    10:15 AM50 Deep: Examining the history of hip hop, design, & culture

    11:00 AMJEMs by PENSOLE Spotlight: Highlighting the first black-owned shoe factory in the U.S.

    11:30 AM Black Genius Conversation

    12:00 PM Break Out Sessions:

    • Break Out Session 1: Health is Wealth - Women's Session
      Importance of health (mental, physical, spiritual)
    • Break Out Session 2: Black In Action
      Highlighting black leaders in other industries

    1:00 PM — Lunch/Networking Break

     

    2:15 PMWomen In…
    Highlighting women in leadership

    3:10 PM The Brand of Culture: Conversation about how our identity, expression, & culture sets the trends and consumer behaviors for brands

    3:50 PM — Blacklight Awards

    4:10 PM Keynote Session // The Real DEIL (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Leadership): Raw discussion about the struggles of DEI at corporations featuring former and current position holders

    5:00 PM — Bacardi Presentation

    5:30 – 7:30 PM — Networking Mixer

    DAY 3

    Saturday, September 23 | PLC Campus

     

    8:30 AM — Breakfast & Registration Check-in

    9:30 AM — Welcome & Remarks

    9:45 AMBlack Genius Conversation

    10:45 AMThis is the Remix: Reinventing yourself and the art of the pivot
    11:30 AMBlack Genius Conversation

    12:15 PM — Break Out Sessions 

    • Break Out Session 1: Black Owned Everything
      Providing tips, tools, & resources for black owners
    • Break Out Session 2: Tapped'N
      Navigating corporate while Black; rules of engagement & professionalism

    1:15 PMLunch/Networking Break

     

    2:15 PM The Art of Sampling: Exploring & discussing the intersection between music, art, and design

    Sponsored by: Amazon Music
    3:00 PMThe New Guard: Blacklighting the new generation of leaders
    3:45 PM — Blacklight Awards
    4:15 PMKeynote Session // Generational Purpose: A conversation and reflection on heritage vs. legacy
    5:30 – 9:00 PM — Cocktail Mixer

    DAY 4

    Sunday, September 24 | PLC Campus

     

    9:00 AM - 10:00 AM — R&B Yoga : sponsored by adidas and i.e.

     

    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM— Sisters in Sole Brunch: sponsored by adidas and i.e.

     

    1:00 PM- 2:30 PM — SEED Leadership Workshop : sponsored by adidas and i.e.

     

     

  • Event Schedule

    PRE-EVENT SCHEDULE

    Thursday, September 15

     

    3:00 – 5:00 pm
    PLC Footwear and Apparel Workshop
    PLC|FDRA|BFF Lounge by StockX, 1201 Woodward Ave., Detroit*
    For students from MERIT's FATE Program

     

    6:00 – 7:00 pm
    PLC Alumni Career Panel
    PLC|FDRA|BFF Lounge by StockX, 1201 Woodward Ave., Detroit
    For Design Connect Students, Hosted by D'Wayne Edwards

     

    7:00 pm – Midnight
    PLC Panel + Sneaker Art Showcase & Mixer by Champion

    PLC|FDRA|BFF Lounge by StockX, 1201 Woodward Ave., Detroit
    Panelists: StockX, Bedrock, Sydney James, Detroit Artist. Live Sneaker Art on Canvas. Panel discussing how art and culture is helping to shape Detroit aka “Caring for the Community”

    Friday, September 16

     

    2:00 – 4:00 pm
    Kids Are Ready For Design Elementary School Workshop by A Kids Company About

    Featuring Jason Mayden, College of Creative Studies graduate, award-winning designer, entrepreneur, author, and educator

     

    4:30 – 6:30 pm
    S.E.E.D. SOLES: Breaking Barriers, Planting Seeds & Charting Pathways Women’s Panel by adidas
    PLC|FDRA|BFF Lounge by StockX | 1201 Woodward Ave., Detroit*
    Featuring Cheresse Thornhill-Goldston, College of Creative Studies graduate, Director, Design Education & Growth | S.E.E.D, adidas. 10 women from the Detroit Community will be selected to attend the adidas S.E.E.D Creator Camp on Sunday

     

    7:00 – 10:00 pm
    VIP Dinner by Detroit Pistons: Thank you to BFF Sponsors, Speakers, Staff and Guests

     

    7:00 pm – Midnight
    BFF Homecoming Detroit Mixer by BFF Detroit
    PLC|FDRA|BFF Lounge by StockX | 1201 Woodward Ave., Detroit*

    Saturday, September 17

     

    8:30 – 9:30 am
    BFF Detroit Breakfast & Mixer by BFF Detroit​

    Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design | PLC Icon Building | 200 Walker Street, Detroit**


    9:50 am – 7:30 pm
    Black Footwear Forum by Our Sponsors

    Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design | PLC Icon Building | 200 Walker Street, Detroit**

     

    9:50 – 10:20 am: 845 Days Later… A Conversation with Terrence Floyd, brother of George Floyd

    • D’Wayne Edwards, President & Founder, Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design
    • Terrence Floyd, Activist, Founder, We Are Floyd; brother of George Floyd

    10:25 – 10:45 am: DETROIT

    • D’Wayne Edwards, President & Founder, Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design
    • Kofi Bonner, CEO, Bedrock

    10:50 – 11:20 am: BLACKLIGHTS | Hometown She-ros

    • D’Wayne Edwards, President & Founder, Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design
    • Cheresse Thornhill-Goldson, Director, Design Education & Growth | S.E.E.D, adidas
    • Ashley Comeaux, Vice President of Product Design, Allbirds
    • Precious Hannah, Founder + CEO of Mister OK's Essentials™
    • Eliya Jackson, Asst. Footwear Designer (Basketball), adidas

    11:25 – 11:55 am: TAPPEDIN | The "L" Word

    • Jazerai Allen-Lord, Founder, True to Size Agency
    • Portia Blunt, VP of Apparel, Reebok
    • April Dinwoodie, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Lead, Steve Madden
    • Katherine Allen, Trade Marketing Manager, adidas
    • Janice Tennant, CMO, Merrell

    Noon – 12:20 pm | Intermission

     

    12:25 – 12:40 pm: Black Genius

    • Kevin Carroll, Founder, Katalyst; Author, Speaker

    12:45 – 1:20 pm: Storytellers

    • Tyrel Kirkham, Vice President, Brand & Marketing Strategy, Detroit Pistons
    • Rick Williams, Entrepreneur, Artist, Creative Director & Co-Founder DISTINCT LIFE/CREAM BLENDS/BURN RUBBER
    • Crystal Windham, Executive Director, Global Industrial Design, General Motors
    • Che Pope, Grammy winning producer, WRKSHP
    • Jacques Slade, Owner/CEO, Fellows Avenue Productions, INC

    1:25 – 1:45 pm: The Creator at the Center

    • Jazerai Allen-Lord, Founder, True to Size Agency
    • Cheresse Thornhill-Goldson, Director, Design Education & Growth | S.E.E.D, adidas
    • Jessica Smith, Director of Strategy, adidas
    • Liz Connelly, Manager, Design Education & Growth, adidas

    1:50 – 2:20 pm: Kitchen Table | The Power of Empathy

    • Kevin Carroll, Founder, Katalyst; Author, Speaker, Performance Coach
    • E. Scott Morris, Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design
    • Damien Hooper-Campbell, Chief Impact Officer, StockX
    • Lauren Guthrie, VP, Global Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Action (IDEA), VF Corporation
    • Malisa Bryant, Senior Vice President, Herman Miller Product

    2:20 – 4:00 pm | Lunch by BFF Detroit

     

    4:10 – 4:45 pm: TAPPEDIN | Career Pathways

    • Dion Walcott, Director of Partnerships, Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design
    • DeLeyna Adkison, Director, Marketing – Brand Heat & Culture, North America, Puma
    • Garry Thaniel, General Manager, Sneakers, eBay
    • Sarah Waston, Sr. Color and Materials Designer, Ford
    • Chuck Young, Franchise Operations Manager, US and The Caribbean, The Athletes Foot

    4:50 – 5:30 pm: BLACKLIGHTS | The Industry

    • Jason Mayden, Chief Executive Officer + Creative Director, Trillicon Valley; Designer, Educator, Entrepreneur; Author of “A Kids Book About Design”
    • Jeffrey Henderson, Founder, AndThem
    • Scoop Jackson, Author; award-winning journalist, ESPN; Executive Producer of Facebook/andscape’s Legacy Series: Sneakers
    • Sydney James, Interdisciplinary Artist
    • Kenneth Anand, Co-Founder & Author, Sneaker Law

    5:30 – 5:50 pm | Intermission

     

    5:55 – 6:20 pm: BLACKLIGHTS | Awards

    • Portia Blunt presents The Jazerai Allen-Lord Advocate Icon Award to Jazerai Allen-Lord, Women's Advocate Icon
    • The James Whitner Entrepreneur Award presented to James Whitner, Retail Icon
    • Scoop Jackson presents The Scoop Jackson Media Award to Jacques Slade, Media Icon
    • D’Wayne Edwards presents awards to Kevin Carroll, Katalyst, April Walker, Legend–Apparel Design, Wilson Smith, Legend–Footwear Design, and Suzette Henry, Legend–Color & Material Design

    6:25 – 7:15 pm: FREE GAME!

    • James Whitner, American Fashion Entrepreneur; Owner of streetwear boutiques: Social Status, A Ma Maniere, and A.P.B.
    • April Walker, CEO, Walker Wear
    • Jalen Rose, ABC/ESPN Analyst, Puma Ambassador & Founder, Jalen Rose Leadership Academy

    7:20 – 7:30 pm: CLOSING REMARKS

    • D’Wayne Edwards, President & Founder, Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design
    • Matt Priest, President & CEO, FDRA

    8:00 pm – Midnight

    BFF Detroit Dinner & Mixer by BFF Detroit

    Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design | PLC Icon Building | 200 Walker Street, Detroit**

    Sunday, September 18


    11:00 am – 2:00 pm
    Black Women in Sneakers Brunch: Sisters in Sole
    PLC|FDRA|BFF Lounge by StockX | 1201 Woodward Ave., Detroit*

     

    2:30 – 4:30 pm

    adidas S.E.E.D Women's Creator Camp by adidas

    PLC|FDRA|BFF Lounge by StockX | 1201 Woodward Ave., Detroit

  • Livestream the Black Footwear Forum