Steve Madden Pledges Corporate Support for HBCUs
Steve Madden Says HBCUs Deserve More Corporate Investment — And His Company Is Putting Resources Behind It
Steve Madden Says HBCUs Deserve More Corporate Investment — And His Company Is Putting Resources Behind It
Steve Madden HBCU support goes beyond celebrating Black culture—the footwear company is investing in programs designed to give HBCU students greater access to education, mentorship and career opportunities within the fashion industry.
Founder Steve Madden recently discussed his commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, acknowledging the significant influence Black culture has had on both his life and the growth of his footwear brand.
His message to other companies? HBCUs deserve more investment, especially now.
Building a Pipeline at Howard University
Steve Madden is entering its third consecutive year of partnership with the Howard University School of Business.
The initiative gives students opportunities to experience the business of fashion beyond the classroom through retail and brand-strategy bootcamps, capstone projects and experiential learning trips to New York City.
Madden has also personally participated in entrepreneurship conversations on Howard’s campus.
The Steve Madden HBCU support strategy is significant because these programs can provide students something especially valuable: access to executives, industry knowledge and professional networks before graduation.
Clark Atlanta, Entrepreneurship and Mentorship
The company’s HBCU involvement extends to Clark Atlanta University, where students have received entrepreneurship programming and mentorship.
Those relationships have also created opportunities for cultural collaboration. Connections within the collegiate network helped inspire Steve Madden’s limited-edition footwear collaboration with entrepreneur Pinky Cole.
More Than Putting a Logo on a Product
What makes the Steve Madden HBCU support conversation worth watching is Madden’s call for other corporations to invest as well.
For students interested in fashion, marketing, retail, entrepreneurship and brand development, access can be just as important as education.
HBCUs have never lacked talent.
The bigger question for corporate America is whether more companies are willing to help create the pipelines that allow that talent to get into the rooms where opportunities and decisions happen.
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