Fashion And Design In Schools and Neighborhoods

What problem would you like to solve?

There are not enough of Students able to creatively Design due to the lack of resources, knowledge, and access. Currently in predominantly Black/Brown, Hispanic, and Caribbean neighborhoods, fashion programs provided are little to none.

Ex: There are 50,000 children in EAST NEW YORK, BROOKLYN (Zip Code 11207, 11208, 11239) who are not offered Fashion and Design opportunities for STUDENTS within a 5-mile radius.

Why is it important to solve? Why is it relevant for the community?

Creating A Seamless Way, Jerri Reid has solved the problem for Junior High School and High School Students by:

-      Putting the ARTS[ back in S.T.E.A.M.

-      Incorporating Social and Emotional Learning Skills

-      Enhancing Mathematics & Science Comprehension

-      Influencing students to work independently and in groupings

-      Allowing students to create freely in safe spaces

-  Enforcing College and Career-bound readiness

-      Designing artifacts for self and their school community

What idea do you have to address the problem?

We are a Brooklyn-Based NYCDOE Vendor enhancing the ARTS in S.T.E.A.M. Students will learn fashion illustration, dyeing techniques, introductory to pattern-making, and sewing machine skills. This grants students the opportunity to engage with the fashion community and contribute to its culture. This Fashion Arts Program serves the purpose of developing critical analysis and innovative creation. This cultivates students to become active and productive citizens.

Who would that help?

This helps our students throughout NYCDOE grades 6 through 12. This will grow into the communities to enhance child experiences and opportunities. Also, it will create opportunity within the same communities for our seniors for therapeutic and social needs. Our Mission is Creating a safe space for artists of color and unifying the youth through Fashion, Design, & Self-Development. Our Vision is Providing limitless fashion design skills and resources for BIPOC and Queer people of all ages one neighborhood at a time.

What neighborhood would benefit from your idea?

This benefits the 50,000+ students in East New York. This does not exclude the neighboring communities:

Flatlands and Canarsie

East Flatbush

Brownsville

Flatbush and Midwood

Bushwick

Bedford Stuyvesant

Jamaica and Hollis

Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park