The Andréa W. and Kenneth C. Frazier Family Foundation, represented by James Frazier, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America have launched the Empowered Vision Award.
The initiative will provide a $100,000 financial grant directly to an independent Black designer, along with an additional $100,000 dedicated to a yearlong mentorship. The goal is to foster innovation and promote equity within the fashion industry, supporting both creative talent and long-term business growth.
The partnership reflects the commitment of both organizations to address systemic barriers in fashion by providing Black-owned businesses with the essential resources needed for sustained success. The Empowered Vision Award seeks to address the financial and mentorship gaps that have historically limited opportunities for Black designers, while also building resilience in their businesses.
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“CFDA is proud to continue our long-standing social impact work through a collaboration with the Frazier Family Foundation. Together, we have developed an award that will positively impact an American designer with exceptional creative excellence, equipping them with the necessary capital and tools for long-term success as a Black-owned business in the global economy,” said Steven Kolb, chief exectutive officer of the CFDA.
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James Frazier, trustee of the Frazier Family Foundation and the son of Andréa and Kenneth Frazier, said, “This partnership comes at a time when the need for increased investment and tailored support for Black-owned businesses has never been more critical. Together, the Frazier Family Foundation and the CFDA are taking a bold step toward addressing these inequities and ensuring a more inclusive dynamic future for American fashion.”
The CFDA will lead a selection process to identify a designer whose work exhibits creativity, business acumen, and the potential for commercial success in collaboration with stylist Milton Dixon, creative advisor of the Empowered Vision Award. One designer will be awarded $200,000.
The recipient of the $100,000 financial grant will have the flexibility to use the funds for key areas such as production, marketing and scaling operations. In addition, the mentorship program, backed by a separate $100,000, will connect the designer with industry experts, offering guidance on navigating the complexities of the fashion industry.
The eight members of the 2024 selection committee are Alastair McKimm, fashion stylist, creative director and design consultant; Carlos Nazario, style director at large, Harper’s Bazaar U.S.; Corey Stokes, creative director; Diane von Furstenberg, founder, philanthropist and author; Emilie Rubinfeld, global president of Carolina Herrera; Shiona Turini, fashion consultant, stylist and costume designer; Stephanie Horton, global consumer marketing director, Google, and Walter Frye, chief brand officer, Amazon.
The partnership is housed under the council’s CFDA Impact program. As for whether this will be an annual grant, a spokesperson said that it’s too early to determine, and it will depend on the overall success and impact of the program.
The Frazier Family Foundation is dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity across various sectors with a particular focus on education, health and economic empowerment.
Kenneth Frazier is the former CEO of Merck and serves as the chairman of Health Assurance Initiatives at General Catalyst, where he continues to lead efforts in driving health care innovation. He is also the co-chair of OneTen, an initiative focused on closing the opportunity gap for Black Americans by upskilling, hiring, and promoting one million Black individuals into family-sustaining jobs with advancement opportunities over the next decade.
Andréa Frazier is an interior designer and serves on the board of the American Heart Association. She also oversees the Frazier Family Coalition for Stroke Prevention.