Saturday Sessions- 9/23 - Black Footwear Forum

June Ambrose: Creative Director & Designer

Kenneth Anand: Co-Founder & Author, Sneaker Law

Kenneth Anand is a creative advisor, entrepreneur, award-winning author, and law school professor. Kenneth is also Director of Client Relations at Jayaram Law, where he regularly helps designers, musicians, founders and other talented individuals to grow and protect their businesses.  In 2021, Kenneth and his business partner, Jared Goldstein independently published Sneaker Law - All You Need to Know About the Sneaker Business, a disruptive, educational book about entrepreneurship that is now widely referred to as the “sneaker industry bible.” Through his work with Sneaker Law, Kenneth has been featured and quoted as an expert in dozens of major media outlets and industry publications. He has also taught and lectured on Sneaker Law at over 30 academic institutions.

D'on Lauren Edwards: Footwear Designer, Michael Kors

Ruth Carter: Academy Award winning Costume Designer

Ruth E. Carter is the two-time Academy Award winning American film costume designer. Best known for turning the Black Panther superhero into an African King, Carter makes history as the first Black person to win the Costume Design category and earns Marvel Studios their first Oscar recognition. For BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER, Carter makes history, again, for her outstanding costume design work and becomes the first Black woman to win multiple Academy Awards in any category and the first costume designer to win for the first film and its sequel. Carter pays tribute to the people of Africa through the costumes in BLACK PANTHER and BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER. She fuses traditional and contemporary while incorporating technology to deliver fashion and function, creating Afrofuturistic pieces that empower the female form, honor ancient cultures, and invoke a deep sense of representation unlike any other costumes experienced on screen. For BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER, Carter transforms the groundbreaking Afrofuturistic Wakandan looks from the first film and introduces new superheroes and the underwater world of the Talokan into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Jae Tips: Music Artist and Designer

Jae Tips is a multi-hyphenate creator and visionary from the Bronx, NYC, whose creativity, style, and passion for pop culture have propelled him to new heights. From his clothing line Savior Worldwide to his music, he constantly delivers fresh and innovative products that resonate with a diverse global audience. In May 2023, Jae's global release of the signature Saucony Grid Azura 2000, titled "Jae Tips Remember Who Fronted," took the sneaker world by storm, becoming an instant classic, and an early contender for Sneaker of the Year. This iconic release solidified Jae as a force to be reckoned with in the world of footwear and beyond. As a leader in headwear design, Jae continues to captivate enthusiasts with his one-of-a-kind colorways and successful collaborations with esteemed retailers like Hatclub. His bespoke Nike Air Force 1 design became a viral sensation, drawing attention and requests from fans across the globe.

Daniel Cherry: SVP, General Manager, adidas

Astor Chambers: CoFounder/Host, Culture Raises US

Astor Chambers is a cultural architect who is looking to unlock the greatness that lies within all of us. Astor is internationally recognized as an accomplished marketer, public speaker, and brand consultant with over 25+ years’ experience in the sports & entertainment fields with a proficient understanding of the mindset of today’s consumer, trendsetters, and influencers. Astor has held multiple leadership roles at major brands: NIKE, APPLE, Adidas, and more. During his career he’s had an opportunity to work with many influential icons: Beyoncé, Michael Jordan, Pharrell Williams and Yara Shahidi while developing some of the internationally impactful brands: IVY Park x Adidas, Jordan Brand, Billionaire Boys Club, and more.

Donald Dudley: Senior Manager of Marketing LEED, Footlocker

Don is the Co-Owner / Creative Director of CLEAN Sneaker Care in Detroit and also the Senior Marketing Manager for Foot Locker’s LEED Initiative (Leading Education and Economic Development). Raised in Detroit, Don has worked in the Footwear industry for over 10 years starting off as a sales associate at an athletic footwear store in Fairlane mall, Don has since used his passion for sneaker culture and applied it to retail management, marketing, and community engagement.

LaShae Boone-McCray: Director of Strategic Accounts, Dearfoams & Head of DEI, 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.

Darius Billings: VP, Marketing and Community Engagement, The Athlete's Foot

Darius Billings is a passionate sneaker lover, a steadfast change agent, and a devoted family man. “D Bills,” as he’s known by those close to him, was raised in West Virginia, and lived in Ohio, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, and Pennsylvania before making Atlanta, Georgia his home for the past twenty years. Whether attending Howard University, marrying his wife Ashley, or pursuing a career in the Athletic/Sneaker industry, Darius knows when he’s found “the right one.” He’s worked for over 25 years as a marketing and merchandising professional with flagship brands like Nike and AND1 Basketball, spending the last 15 years with The Athlete’s Foot.