Black Fashion Career Day,

About the event

Black Fashion Career Day (BFCD) is a flagship program of the Black Fashion World Foundation (BFW Foundation), intentionally designed to operationalize the organization’s mission of  Empowering Black fashion entrepreneurs ["Black Fashion-preneurs"] to fulfill their fashion dreams by providing access to tools, resources, and experienced professionals through educational, networking, and opportunity events that prepare them for success.

BFCD is designed as an industry-led access platform that prioritizes:

• Quality over quantity
• High-touch programming
• Credible industry voices
• Culturally grounded career transmission
• Founder stewardship to protect cultural integrity

A durable model for workforce development, industry access, and entrepreneurship acceleration

WHY BFCD MATTERS

The fashion industry remains relationship-driven, opaque, and difficult to navigate without access. BFCD exists to:

• Close the information gap for emerging Black fashion talent
• Provide real exposure to career pathways
• Preserve cultural context while teaching industry standards
• Support entrepreneurship and scaling that advances economic mobility and wealth-building

Why BFCD Is Needed – What the Data Says

Black Fashion Career Day exists to address documented inequities in education and mentorship access for Black fashion talent. Only 22% of Black professionals report having a mentor in their field, and mentorship can increase entrepreneurial success by up to 70%—making BFCD’s two-track, industry-led model a strategic solution for pipeline development and economic mobility.

TRACK 1: Career Launch Track (Ages 18–24)

Emerging Professionals / Future Fashion-preneurs
 

TRACK 2: Entrepreneurship Launch & Scale Track (Ages 35–64)

Emerging Fashion-preneurs / Career Transition Professionals

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

• “It’s about access, opportunity, and building the next generation of fashion talent.”
• This event showed me that it’s possible… it reminded me that I belong here.”
• “There was no gatekeeping—just empowerment.”
• “A space centered on Black creativity and excellence.”
• “The power of showing up as your authentic self… especially in rooms where people don’t look like you.”
• “I’ll be back every time they host it.”

Why should you sponsor?

SPONSOR ALIGNMENT OPPORTUNITIES

BFCD provides sponsors with meaningful engagement across two strategic pipelines:
✅ Workforce development + youth pipeline building (Track 1)
✅ Entrepreneurship + DEI + founder visibility (Track 2)

Sponsors receive authentic access to a multigenerational community of:

• Future professionals
• Founders + career transition leaders
• Mid-career decision-makers
• High purchasing-power consumers
• Culture-driving fashion stakeholders

Equity

At the intersection of equity, innovation, and cultural impact, Black Fashion Career Day offers your brand a rare opportunity to do more than just sponsor an event, you're investing in a movement that is transforming lives and industries.

Innovation

We exist to close the access gap for Black talent in fashion by creating a high-touch, culturally affirming space for career discovery, networking, and real-world activation.

Cultural Impact

Align with Black Fashion Career Day and be part of a transformative movement that's reshaping the fashion industry while creating meaningful opportunities for Black talent.

Community Impact & Market Power

$2 Trillion – Total Black purchasing power
91% – Meaningful brand loyalty rate
66% – Influence on fashion trends

Carla Nelson

Carla Nelson, MBA, REALTOR

Founder, President & CEO

Carla Nelson is a visionary leader and empowerment catalyst with over 20 years of experience spanning nonprofit innovation, corporate leadership, and community development. Armed with an MBA and BS in Accounting, she combines strategic thinking with operational excellence to drive transformational change.

Foundation Leadership & Impact

• Secured over $100,000 in pro bono legal services for BFW Foundation
• Disbursed COVID-19 relief grants and educational scholarships to emerging fashion professionals
• Hosted prestigious events featuring Academy Award-winner Ruth E. Carter and industry leaders
• Recently honored with a Citation from the New York Public Advocate for outstanding community service

Professional Excellence

Her corporate experience at organizations like Zurich North America Insurance and SEIU 32BJ Union honed her expertise in organizational development, strategic planning, and large-scale event production. As a New York State Licensed Realtor and Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist, she brings additional business acumen to the foundation's operations.

 

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