STEPHEN BURROWS ON SECURING FUNDING

© CHARLES TRACY

“Equity for Black professionals in the fashion industry is all about access to capital: securing funding—imaginative, collaborative, tech-savvy funding partners. Funding is essential to success in equalizing the global fashion playing field today. Industry gatekeepers must be committed to diversity and inclusion. There are many designers of color who have contributed to the success of clothing brands and designer collections. These companies should provide substantial salaries, benefits, and a fair percentage of sales to keep up with the rising costs of living. The gigantic bonuses of CEOs should be reduced and those monies reinvested in the employee’s who have worked hard to ensure success! Chobani [yogurt] founder Hamdi Ulukaya built a purposeful business environment with profit-sharing. Corporate America, including the global fashion industry, has to be the change it wants/needs to eliminate poverty in America and the world.”

—Stephen Burrows