Join us for the Amazon Black Fashion Innovators Award Pitch Final
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The Fashion Zone is so excited to invite you to the Pitch Competition final for the Spring 2022 Amazon Black Fashion Innovators Award! Taking place virtually on April 28, 2022, from 2PM - 4PM, our top 3 applicants will pitch live and answer Q&A’s from our esteemed judges. The winner of this pitch competition will receive $10,000.
The Amazon Black Fashion Innovators Award
Amazon Black Fashion Innovators Award award aims to provide crucial funding and incubator resources to support Black founders' growth, success and venture sustainability. Powered by Amazon, these awards provide Fashion Zone members and alumni who identify as Black with a total of two prizes annually: $10,000 in Spring 2022 and 2023, and $2500 in Fall 2022 and 2023, along with one free year of incubation and business support in the Fashion Zone, valued at $3000.
The Judges
Jaymin Luces Mendes of Toni Marlow (external link) , is one of three judges for the Amazon Black Fashion Innovators Award. Jaymin graciously donated this award to the Fashion Zone, and this is what they had to say:
“I’ve been a recipient of grants through the Fashion Zone, so this felt like a wonderful way to give back. I hope this award sparks the interest of other organizations who have the ability to help underserved, underrepresented, and underestimated creators and entrepreneurs achieve amazing things, because sometimes something as little as a $5,000 grant and access to advisers or physical space and equipment, is what takes them from someone with an incredible idea, to a successful business owner providing products and services for people around the world."
Brian A. Richards (external link) has over a decade of experience in Fashion as a creative producer and art director and 1/3 of seminal Fashion group, THE COLLECTIONS™.Brian has produced over 150 fashion presentations and/or events and countless lookbooks and editorials. From 2010 - 2015, THE COLLECTIONS founded and produced Canada’s premiere Fashion Film Festival ‘DIScONNECT’ (external link) (screened @TIFFBell Lightbox) featuring contemporary filmmakers from Canada and around the World.
Brian has worked with designers Rad Hourani, Mikael Kale, 3.Paradis and SP BADU—to name a few. He has been fortunate to work with major retail partners like The Hudson’s Bay and Oxford Properties. Furthermore, has collaborated with established organizations, like the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) and Toronto Fashion Week. In his role as University X Fashion Instructor of FSN 706 Fashion Event Planning, Brian hopes to inspire the next wave of contemporary fashion producers, preparing them for an Industry that thrives on disruption and rewards adaptation.
Jaymin Luces-Mendes is the founder of Toni Marlow (external link) , and Noire Now (external link) . They have a wealth of experience in business development including strategy, innovation, sales, marketing, and social enterprise. As a business leader, community builder, consultant and board member of Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC), who is passionate about people and strategy, Jaymin is focused on positively impacting underrepresented communities for social change through entrepreneurship.
Sepo Achampong (external link) is the Program Coordinator for the BizStart Program, which is one of the flagship programs at Youth Employment Services. BizStart is a 6-month entrepreneurship training program for youth that is designed to help them launch their businesses. Sepo is also an advocate for Black economic empowerment, and he is working on a future where the Black community has improved economic outcomes through accessible forms of ownership.
Meet Our Top Three Finalists!
- Emefa Kuadey/ Israella Kobla (external link)
- Kayla Alexander, Kesia Alexander and Nicole Murphy/ Tall Size (external link)
- Edo Odozor/ Naij Hair (external link)
Best of luck to our three finalists! Stay tuned for the next Amazon Black Fashion Innovators Award, $2500 in Fall 2022
