A fresh and innovative podcast continuing conversations started on diversity, highlighting black footwear industry leaders, and providing resources on how to navigate the footwear industry as POC. Join hosts Dion Walcott, LaShae Boone-McCray, and some amazing guests for Blacklights insights!
Episodes
New Episodes drop here each month
eps 3: SHARIFA MURDOCK
Sharifa Murdock, Chief Impact Officer at KITH and CEO of ENVSN sits down with us to discuss breaking through conditions, cultures, and conflicts in the creative industry. (5/25/2023)
eps 2: David Ballin
In this episode, we blacklight how to navigate corporate America while being black. David Ballin, Sr. Creative Strategist at Puma, takes us through his unconventional pathway to show and prove excellence in any space. (4/28/2023)
eps 1: Portia Blunt
In this episode, we find out what a true Blacklight is with Reebok's VP of Apparel, Portia Blunt. Listen in as we hear her journey and how she continues to navigate the footwear space. (3/23/2023)
BLACKLIGHTS Hosts
Dion Walcott, Director of Partnerships & Engagement, Pensole
Director of Partnerships for Pensole Lewis College and the founder of MARTK'D is a highly sought-after speaker, strategist, and curator who has used his passion for sneakers to create a notable career in business. Dion’s first break came when he was chosen as the Director of Programs and Partnerships for North America’s first-ever sneaker exhibit at The Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. Although he has achieved success building collaborations with global brands, Dion always leads with a "Doing Well and Good at the same time" approach highlighting the importance of working to provide access and opportunities to communities that support any respective business.
Lashae Boone-McCray, Director of Strategic Accounts, RG Barry
LaShae is an executive business leader, specialized in wholesale distribution and brand partnerships within the footwear industry. An unstoppable force, this mother of two grew her professional range from retail store management at ALDO to strategic account management within shoe, department store and mass channels of distribution, significantly contributing to high grossing annual sales. From the show-me state of Missouri, LaShae continues to show up for marginalized groups as the founder and head of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion council at RG Barry. In addition to her work at RG Barry, LaShae partners with the FDRA as an advisory board member of the Black Footwear Forum, proudly representing Columbus, OH. Recognizing opportunities and pushing through challenges with a smile to achieve global brand growth through an equity lens is her specialty and what is admired most from her leadership team, colleagues, and partners.
© 2023 FDRA