This year’s theme, AfroFuturism celebrates creativity, innovation and greater impact on fashion while inspiring the next generation of Black designers
NEW YORK, NY – January 24, 2024 –The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM) Fashion Industry Club has partnered once again with the Maison Black and will host a runway show at New York Fashion Week this season. Maison Black, founded by Tori Nichel, is a Black-owned, New York-based retailer who showcases Black designers and has expanded into the Maison Black Foundation (MBF) in order to provide a more robust platform to support Black youth in the arts.
“As we near the culmination of our mentorship program’s second season in partnership with BGCSM, we’re proud to have helped establish a program that develops aspiring youth designer’s skills and provide true real time experience on what it takes to be a successful fashion designer in this industry,” notes Tori Nichel. “This year we took the mentorship a step further to provide clarity and a path forward for the youth to pursue their passions as a career. I am so grateful to partner with our incredible designer mentors and esteemed universities that provide solid foundations and pathways for these young designers to accomplish their goals. We are looking forward to presenting the youth and mentors breathtaking collections this season, for an audience of supporters, industry professionals, social media influencers and friends of Maison Black in support of BGCSM and MBF.”
Maison Black is a destination for the discovery of Black designers throughout the country. Founder and Detroit native Tori Nichel has used her expertise, network and resources to build a bridge for Black designers through Maison Black. This season’s mentors include Aaron Potts, Patrick Cupid, Dreu Breckemberg, Carlton Jones, Shelley Victory and Lola Faturoti, who have worked closely with the Fashion Industry Club youth designers Nasya D., Zyana H., Lydia M., Logan H., and Ta’Leah H. for the past 7 months.
“There is power in aligned passion and long-term collaboration—and that is what we have with Maison Black, and how we’re able to provide such a life-changing experience for these young women,” said Shawn H. Wilson, president, and CEO of BGCSM. “We look at this as an honor to support and create space for our young designers through the Fashion Industry Club and will continue to provide these resources to more youth to come.”
The Fashion Industry Club is a part of the Industry Club model at BGCSM which was launched in 2020 and is a comprehensive and forward-thinking initiative that addresses the needs of young people in preparing them for successful futures in a variety of industries.
MBF is a 501c.3 non-profit organization and a launchpad that champions and equips the future generation of Black creatives with the required skill sets in design innovation, advanced technology and business to become career ready with a competitive edge in the industry. MBF and its partners provide pathways and educational platforms for the next generation to discover their talents and pursue their passions.
The program will offer the NYFW Afrofuturism Collection for purchase following the presentation at www.maisonblack.shop
To donate and learn more visit: www.bgcsm.org/industry-club.
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About Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enabling young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. BGCSM provides a safe and nurturing environment, along with life-enhancing programs, to thousands of youth across Southeastern Michigan.
Founded in 1926, BGCSM’s mission is to ensure youth leave our Clubs career, start up and homeowner ready. Learn more at bgcsm.org or follow BGCSM on Instagram at @BGCSEM.
As an online retailer, Maison Black is a destination for discovery for Black designers. Maison Black creates immersive shopping experiences through pop-up activations across the country. Maison Black bridges community and commerce, fosters unity and creates space for Black creatives to build legacies and Black heritage brands. Maison Black’s mission is to create access, longevity and sustainability for Black designers in the fashion industry in addition to creating the ease of findability of black designed products. Black culture has always set trends and defined style. Maison Black’s curated capsule experiences allows the purveyors of design and style to be recognized across the globe. As a global retail destination Maison Black amplifies the innovative design of Black creatives who exemplify design excellence. Follow Maison Black on Instagram at @maisonblacknewyork.
The Industry Club model is a transformative initiative aimed at equipping youth with essential workforce training and entrepreneurial development across a diverse range of industries. Serving as both a social incubator and accelerator, the program empowers participants with industry-specific knowledge while fostering cross-functional skill sets such as communication, organization, technical literacy, and time management. The emphasis on self-efficacy is a hallmark of the program, as participants gain firsthand experience and insights into successful business practices. This approach ensures that youth not only acquire practical industry skills but also develop a strong sense of confidence and belief in their ability to thrive in the professional world.
Moreover, the program goes beyond skill development. It actively contributes to providing young people with the economic, cultural, human, wellness, and social capital necessary to become college, career, and startup ready. BGCSM’s Industry Clubs, as pioneers in the field, offer industry-leading workforce training and entrepreneurial development in areas like entertainment, fashion, design, data science, risk management, and sports. The impact of the program is evident in its success in employing over 350 Detroit youth aged 14 and up in 2023, with ambitious plans to further expand and employ 500 in 2024. Through this innovative approach, the Industry Clubs not only prepare youth for specific industries but also instill a sense of self-efficacy and provide comprehensive capital for success in various professional endeavors.