Hello to everyone on LinkedIn! It has been a while but I am beyond grateful and excited to share with you all the experiences I’ve been going through this summer!😊
First and foremost, I had the great opportunity to spend a weekend in Minneapolis for the State of Black Design, created and run by the amazing Omari Souza! During this time we got to explore and experience the beauty of Minneapolis and share a space with other amazing Black and Brown designers. We had the chance to break off into focus classes to learn new techniques and skills, heard from panels with decades of wisdom and visit the amazing Giants Art Exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art! I hope to one day bring such an event back to North Carolina with me, and share it with others locally!
Next, I had the AMAZING opportunity to be a student at the 2nd Pensole Lewis X Nike Future Sole program in the Apparel Design track! ✨ During this 5-week PLC Detroit program, I had the chance to learn under some of the best in the industry! Coming to Detroit, I was nervous but excited, I wasn’t sure what to expect or knew how hard I’d be challenged. But once I met my fellow classmates and instructors, it felt like I walked into a home. We all came from different places and backgrounds, but we all shared the same love: design. We shared laughter, tears, ideas and inspiration.
Target was an important and powerful element added to the course, as they gave each student their own mentor for the program and to continue afterwards. Having weekly check-ins and learning from them has helped us develop further. My talented and passionate mentor Jasmin Thomas spoke positivity and encouragement into me, and has truly taken me under her wing which I will be grateful for eternally!
I was able to meet teachers with the knowledge and experience that I dream of growing into. Not only did I learn about the Apparel Discipline, they made sure we learned different aspects to further ensure our success. From financial literacy, to programs such as Adobe Illustrator, they provided multi-disciplinary advice that we can carry with us. My teacher, the legendary and talented Sam Ryan not only encouraged me, but he challenged me to think differently. He saw our visions, guided us and taught us carefully, showing us how to design with intention and purpose.
As this program comes to an end, I will be leaving with a new sense of knowledge, a new confidence instilled within, and feeling grateful for the chance to expand myself as a designer. I can also happily and proudly say I will be leaving Detroit as a PLC Detroit Program Alum🥹 Excited to share my work with you all soon! Thank you to Pensole Lewis College, Anthony Arias, Dr. D'Wayne Edwards, Sam Ryan, E.Scott Morris and Nike for believing in my vision and inviting me to learn from you all. I look forward to hopefully learn under you again, and I will hold this time with me forever, thank you❤️
Signed, J’Kayla Cameron
