Aurora James
FOUNDER, BROTHER VELLIES AND FIFTEEN PERCENT PLEDGE
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS YOUR BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURE?
I hope the work we’re doing with the Fifteen Percent Pledge shapes the culture, and ultimately the economy. By making more space for Black brands on retail shelves, we’re building a pipeline to move 14 billion dollars to Black founders, who then spend money in their communities and pass on generational wealth, all working toward ultimately closing the racial wealth gap.
NAME AN INFLUENCE OF YOURS THAT MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE.
Nature and the outdoors really inspire me. Time in the wild grounds me in what I’m building with Brother Vellies—all of my designs are rooted in place and community.
““I hope the work we’re doing with the Fifteen Percent Pledge shapes the culture, and ultimately the economy.””
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF IN YOUR INDUSTRY? LESS OF?
The fashion industry still has more to do when it comes to championing young creatives. I hope fashion brands continue to trend toward sustainable practices to reduce the outsized negative impact our industry can so often have on the climate.
WHAT’S COMING UP FOR YOU IN 2024?
I recently launched a podcast about building and scaling Black-owned businesses, called Friends and Family with Aurora James, featuring some of my favorite peers and mentors. Our hope is to make it a little easier for founders who lack access to traditional fundraising
in your life?
