In an era where the fashion industry’s promises of equity are facing renewed skepticism, one organization is standing firmly against the prevailing tide. RAISEfashion, a non-profit dedicated to empowering Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) designers, is not only weathering the storm but architecting the future of inclusive fashion. As investment in BIPOC-owned brands wanes and industry-wide DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts retreat, RAISEfashion’s audacious programs and unwavering leadership are offering a roadmap for meaningful change. What does it truly take to reimagine access, opportunity, and success for underrepresented creatives in a notoriously exclusive industry? The answer, it seems, lies in the strategic blend of mentorship, funding, and community that RAISEfashion has masterfully assembled.
The Mission: Empowerment Through Action
At its core, RAISEfashion operates with a radical yet essential mission: to provide tangible pathways for emerging BIPOC designers to thrive in an industry that has too often marginalized their voices. As of June 2025, the organization’s commitment is reinforced by a robust ecosystem of grant funding, executive-level support, and professional development—an ecosystem designed not merely to open doors, but to ensure that those doors lead to lasting careers, viable businesses, and transformative creative impact.
While many initiatives in fashion’s DEI space have faltered under performative gestures or short-lived campaigns, RAISEfashion’s approach is distinguished by its longevity and depth. The organization’s model recognizes that talent alone is not enough; what is needed is sustained access to resources, networks, and industry know-how.
Marshall Danzy Taulbert, founder of Danzy Design Studio. (Raisefashion)
Tracy Vontélle Green, co-founder of Vontélle Eyewear. (Raisefashion)
Danzy Design Studio x Abercrombie Campaign. (Raisefashion)
RAISEfashion Masterclass: Building Business Acumen and Creative Confidence
One of RAISEfashion’s flagship initiatives, the RAISEfashion Masterclass, exemplifies this philosophy. This eight-week professional development program is strategically designed for emerging BIPOC and otherwise underrepresented designers. More than a series of workshops, it is a rigorous curriculum that covers:
- Business strategy and market positioning
- Branding and storytelling
- Financial literacy and sustainable growth models
- Networking with industry leaders and peers
The Masterclass is more than a crash course in fashion entrepreneurship—it is a crucible for innovation and connection. Each cohort gains access to expert-led sessions, fostering a supportive community that catalyzes both personal and professional breakthroughs. By demystifying the operational aspects of building a brand, RAISEfashion is not just nurturing designers; it is sculpting future industry powerhouses.
Partnerships That Matter: RAISEfashion x ARF Internship
Recognizing that early exposure often dictates long-term success in fashion, RAISEfashion has forged a visionary partnership with the Antiracism Fund (ARF) for 2025. The resulting RAISEfashion x ARF Internship is a comprehensive ten-week program targeting Black students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)—a demographic often overlooked by mainstream recruitment pipelines.
This partnership is more than symbolic. It is an actionable bridge between education and employment, providing:
- Meaningful, hands-on experience within the fashion sector
- Mentorship from established professionals
- Real-world projects that build both confidence and portfolios
By directly addressing the systemic barriers that have historically excluded Black talent from influential industry roles, RAISEfashion is seeding the next generation of designers, executives, and creative leaders. For many participants, this internship is not simply a resume builder—it is a life-altering launchpad.
Unlocking the Industry: The BoF x RAISEfashion Collaboration
Access to opportunity in fashion often hinges on who you know and what networks you can tap. RAISEfashion’s partnership with The Business of Fashion (BoF) marks a significant leap in leveling this playing field. Through this collaboration, RAISEfashion advisees are granted:
- Complimentary 12-month BoF Professional memberships
- 12-month access to BoF Careers
- Exclusive, high-impact workshops designed for the RAISEfashion community
The significance here is profound. BoF’s analytical acumen, industry insights, and expansive network have long been the preserve of established brands and industry insiders. By democratizing access for BIPOC designers, RAISEfashion is ensuring that its members are not just included in the conversation—they are equipped to lead it.
In a landscape where knowledge and visibility often translate directly into opportunity, this partnership is a powerful equalizer. It signals to the wider industry that systemic change is not only possible, but essential.
Breaking Barriers at New York Fashion Week
Fashion’s most visible stages have historically been closed to all but a privileged few. RAISEfashion is actively rewriting this narrative. At New York Fashion Week—a crucible of influence and visibility—the organization has taken concrete steps to ensure BIPOC designers are not left on the sidelines.
In a recent year, 28 emerging designers were invited to participate at no cost, a move that directly confronts the financial obstacles that have too often precluded BIPOC creatives from gaining crucial exposure. The impact of this intervention cannot be overstated:
- Designers connect with editors, press, retailers, and fashion enthusiasts
- Media coverage and distribution opportunities become attainable
- New revenue streams are unlocked
By eliminating the pay-to-play element of fashion’s most prestigious events, RAISEfashion is championing a new ethos—one where merit and vision, not bank balance, dictate who gets a seat at the table.
Leadership Amidst Industry Regression: Felita Harris at the Helm
The fashion industry has, in recent years, seen a retrenchment in DEI investments and a troubling regression in support for BIPOC-owned brands. Against this backdrop, the role of visionary leadership becomes all the more critical. Felita Harris, RAISEfashion’s CEO, stands as a formidable force, propelling the organization’s mission even as the broader landscape stalls.
Harris’s leadership is characterized by strategic pragmatism and unwavering advocacy. Under her guidance, RAISEfashion has not only survived the shifting winds of industry attention but has scaled its impact, proving that true commitment to equity is measured not in press releases but in outcomes. The organization’s continued vitality in the face of adversity is a testament to Harris’s ability to inspire, mobilize, and deliver real results.
The Broader Implications: Why RAISEfashion’s Model Matters
RAISEfashion’s work is more than a collection of well-meaning programs—it is a blueprint for sustainable change. By integrating access to funding, mentorship, high-level industry partnerships, and exposure, the organization is systematically dismantling the barriers that have long stifled BIPOC talent in fashion.
The stakes are high. As DEI rhetoric fades from boardrooms and investment portfolios, organizations like RAISEfashion are a vital counterweight. They remind the industry—and the world—that inclusive innovation is not a trend but a necessity for fashion’s continued relevance and growth.
Moreover, RAISEfashion’s approach offers valuable lessons for other industries grappling with similar inequities. The key, as demonstrated, is not one-off gestures but sustained, structural intervention. The organization’s blend of grant funding, executive support, and world-class partnerships is a template that should be studied—and emulated—far beyond fashion’s borders.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Inclusive Fashion
As we look to the future, the question is not whether diversity in fashion can survive, but whether it can flourish and redefine the industry itself. RAISEfashion’s track record suggests the answer is a resounding yes—provided that organizations are willing to invest in more than optics.
With each cohort of empowered designers, every strategic partnership, and each barrier broken at marquee events, RAISEfashion is proving that the path to equity is neither simple nor swift, but it is possible. The true revolution in fashion will not be televised; it will be built, stitch by stitch, by organizations and individuals who refuse to accept the status quo.
In 2025 and beyond, as the industry grapples with its conscience and its future, RAISEfashion stands as both a challenge and an inspiration—a living testament to what is possible when empowerment is not just promised, but delivered.
