The CFDA has collaborated with the Frazier Family Foundation to launch the Empowered Vision Award to address the financial and mentorship gaps for independent Black fashion designers.
James Frazier, The Frazier Foundation
The Andréa W. and Kenneth C. Frazier Family Foundation, represented by James Frazier, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America announce the launch of the Empowered Vision Award. The initiative will provide a $100,000 financial grant directly to an independent Black fashion designer, alongside an additional $100,000 dedicated to a yearlong mentorship.
The aim is to foster innovation and promote equity within the fashion industry, with the transformative power of mentorship, creating opportunities for the next generation of talent and building a support system. The recipient of the financial grant may use the funds for production, marketing, and scaling operations.
“CFDA is proud to continue our long-standing social impact work through a collaboration with the Frazier Family Foundation. Together, we have developed an award that will positively impact an American designer with exceptional creative excellence, equipping them with the necessary capital and tools for long-term success as a Black-owned business in the global economy,” said CFDA CEO Steven Kolb.
Per the CFDA website: ‘This partnership, housed under the Council’s CFDA IMPACT program, reflects both organizations’ shared commitment to dismantling systemic barriers in fashion by providing Black-owned businesses with the essential resources needed for sustained success. The Empowered Vision Award seeks to address the financial and mentorship gaps that have historically limited opportunities for Black designers, while also building resilience in their businesses.’
The CFDA will spearhead a selection process to identify a visionary fashion designer who demonstrates creativity and ingenuity and is sure to play a role in the continuing evolution of American design.
The 2024 Selection Committee panel includes fashion experts like Alastair McKimm, Carlos Nazario, Corey Stokes, Diane von Furstenberg, Emilie Rubinfeld, Shiona Turini, Stephanie Horton, and Walter Frye. Each of these industry leaders will bring their unique perspectives and insights to the table, ensuring that the chosen designer has a winning combination of creativity and commercial viability, forging new pathways for those who come after.
James Frazier, trustee of the Frazier Family Foundation, said, “This partnership comes at a time when the need for increased investment and tailored support for Black-owned businesses has never been more critical. Together, the Frazier Family Foundation and the CFDA are taking a bold step toward addressing these inequities and ensuring a more inclusive dynamic future for American fashion.”
Prior to this initiative, the CFDA launched IMPACT, which will identify, connect, support, and nurture Black and Brown creatives and professionals in fashion, furthering CFDA’s mission to advance American fashion by including diverse talent in every facet of the industry’s ecosystem. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement to take action and create sustainable change against the social and economic marginalization of Black people, IMPACT addresses the decades-long system of exclusion of Black talent in the industry with hopes to create a blueprint for other industries to follow.
CFDA IMPACT identifies, supports and nurtures Black and Brown creatives and professionals in fashion.
The Council of Fashion Designers of America
The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association established in 1962, representing the pinnacle of American fashion. With a membership of 477 leading designers across womenswear, menswear, jewellery, and accessories, the CFDA plays a critical role in shaping the country’s fashion industry. Through its initiatives, the organization fosters both creativity and social responsibility, from hosting the prestigious CFDA Fashion Awards to addressing issues of racial inequality through the IMPACT program. Additionally, the CFDA Fashion Incubator supports emerging fashion designers while the organization also manages the Fashion Calendar, a vital tool for industry scheduling and event coordination. Beyond these efforts, the CFDA Foundation, Inc., operates as a separate entity dedicated to charitable endeavors and industry support.
The CFDA owes much of its vision and success to its founder, Eleanor Lambert, a visionary who dedicated over seventy years to elevating American fashion on the global stage. Lambert’s influence was pivotal in landmark moments like the 1973 “Battle of Versailles,” an event that solidified America’s standing in International fashion. As one of the most prolific publicists in fashion and the arts, Lambert’s legacy continues through the CFDA, which not only honors her contributions with awards like the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award but also builds on her work through projects such as the Fashion Manufacturing Initiative. This program is designed to support and revitalize New York City’s garment industry by providing financial assistance to local production facilities, ensuring the continued success and innovation of American fashion design.
The Andréa W. and Kenneth C. Frazier Family Foundation
Andréa W. and Kenneth C. are the driving forces behind the Frazier Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to fostering opportunities and improving lives within underserved communities. Both Andréa and Kenneth bring their deep-rooted commitment to social impact and community development to the foundation’s mission. Through their leadership, the foundation has focused on empowering individuals by funding education, healthcare, and programs that promote economic growth. Their vision extends beyond charity; it is about creating sustainable change by providing the resources and support needed for long-term success.
Andréa’s passion for educational equity is evident in the foundation’s numerous initiatives aimed at expanding access to quality education for marginalized students. She believes that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and has championed scholarships, mentorship programs, and school funding that make a real difference in the lives of young people. Under her guidance, the Frazier Family Foundation has established partnerships with schools and nonprofits, ensuring that students not only receive academic support but also develop the confidence and skills necessary to thrive in the future.
Kenneth, on the other hand, focuses on economic development and healthcare access, recognizing these as fundamental to building strong, self-sustaining communities. His leadership has directed the foundation toward initiatives that provide medical care for underserved populations, as well as entrepreneurship programs that help individuals create businesses and generate income for their families. Kenneth’s strategic approach ensures that the foundation’s contributions lead to measurable improvements in the quality of life for those they serve.
Jasmeen Dugal is Associate Editor at FashionABC, contributing her insights on fashion, technology, and sustainability. She brings with herself more than two decades of editorial experience, working for national newspapers and luxury magazines in India.
Jasmeen Dugal has worked with exchange4media as a senior writer contributing articles on the country’s advertising and marketing movements, and then with Condenast India as Net Editor where she helmed Vogue India’s official website in terms of design, layout and daily content. Besides this, she is also an entrepreneur running her own luxury portal, Explosivefashion, which highlights the latest in luxury fashion and hospitality.
