Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues,

A decade ago, Velvet and I launched BADA (Black Accessory Designers Alliance) with a simple but powerful belief: talent is universal, but access is not. We set out to create a platform where emerging accessory designers of color—brilliant creatives too often overlooked—could finally be seen, supported, and celebrated.

For years, our mission thrived.
During NY Fashion Week, our Accessories Lounge became a vibrant hub for designers to connect with press, influencers, and shoppers. Women’s Wear Daily featured us multiple times, and countless blogs and fashion lovers followed. We were helping to shift an industry that needed more diverse voices.

Then the pandemic hit.
Overnight, our gatherings and revenue model disappeared. Like many small organizations of color, we had to rebuild—reimagining how to support our communities with intention and impact.

From this challenge, FEEP (Future Entrepreneurs Empowerment Program) grew into a crucial lifeline. What began as a partnership with the Hetrick-Martin Institute in 2018 is now a full 17-week cohort at the Brooklyn Community Pride Center serving Black and Brown transgender and gender non-conforming future entrepreneurs.

Each Saturday, we provide what few programs offer:

  • Culturally grounded entrepreneurship training
  • Mental health care
  • Healthy vegan lunches
  • Pro bono legal counsel
  • Community and connection

This work is transformative. We’ve seen participants go from surviving to imagining themselves as CEOs, creators, and leaders.

And we want you to know:
We have not forgotten the foundation of BADA—the Black accessory designers who inspired this mission from day one.
Part of our fundraising goal is to restart the original programming that launched BADA, restoring opportunities for designers to gain visibility, connections, and support in an industry that still needs change.

But to do all of this, we need your help.

BADA is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and your contribution—no matter the amount—directly supports Black, Brown, queer, trans, and gender-expansive entrepreneurs and helps us relaunch programming for Black accessory designers.

If you believe in equity, creativity, and the power of community,
please donate today.

Make your tax-deductible donation here

If you’d like to volunteer or join our newsletter, contact us at thebadaorg@gmail.com.

Thank you for your time, your generosity, and your belief in our mission