Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Joe Watkins, 21

“Especially as a black creative, I want to show young black kids, who have grown up being told they can’t or that they are not good enough or smart enough, that their minds are bright and amazing,” Watkins said. 

“I would l like to use my platform to be able to give back and support others. I would love to support small businesses and brands in their growth and, outside of streetwear and fashion, I would love to contribute and help toward black youth. As is very evident currently in society, black youth have it incredibly hard in the U.S. From seeing themselves criticized in the news or being brutalized by police, I want to help change that. I want to be able to help black youth be able to rise above the picture society paints, and create their own painting with their own canvas.”