By Nandi Howard ·November 19, 2020November 19, 2020
Today, in celebration of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, the NYC based fashion house Tory Burch has teamed up with celebrity stylist Jason Bolden to celebrate Black women.
“I think its very important for me to speak on it because, my whole entire foundation was built from a Black woman,” Bolden explains. Together the pair have launched a series of videos conversing with two recipients of the Tory Burch Fellowship Program – Ericka Lassair of New Orleans’ based gourmet hot dog joint, Diva Dawg, and Carolina Contreras, owner of Miss Rizos Salon in New York City. In 2009, Burch created the foundation in support of women entrepreneurs.
Throughout the designer’s 15 + year run in the industry, her mission has reveled in the support of underrepresented designers and creating the resources that help them succeed. When selected for the fellowship, recipients will receive 1 year of mentorship, $5,000 grant, a community of contacts, and workshops at the Tory Burch office. “To highlight the extraordinary women is something I never get tired of, ” the designer exclaimed.
This year, specifically for Black business owners, has come with a unique responsibility. Due to the recent height and media spotlight on police brutality within the community along with the pandemic crisis, Black businesses have reemerged and the outpouring support has continued to grow within the last few months. “When you’ve had hard times yourself and you see people struggling, you have to reach out to let them know it’s going to be alright,” Lassair says. The Diva Dawg owner was a 2016 Tory Burch Fellow and has mastered the art ofa gourmet hot dog.During the height of the pandemic, she was part of a group that delivered over 300,000 meals from over 70 restaurants to 10,000 residents in New Orleans.
“As a Black Latina Entrepreneur my strongest muscle is that of resilience,” says the 2020 Tory Burch Fellow, Carolina Contreras. “I was able and fortunate to excretes it in a time of crisis. Contreras opened Miss Rizos, a curly hair salon that helps women and little girls love themselves just as they are. Offering curly hair services and products at a competitive price. The salon owner recently reopened her doors in Washington Heights NYC and has seen an outpouring of support from customers and the community.
Check out more of the conversation above.
The post Tory Burch Celebrates Women’s Entrepreneurship Day appeared first on Essence.
