On February 16th, 2022, DSW Designer Shoe Wearhouse announced Designer Brands, Inc., their parent company, made a $2 million investment furthering the advancement of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the footwear industry by entering into a partnership with JEMS By Pensole and Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, President of Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design (PLC).
JEMS (Jan Ernst Matzeliger Studio). Inspired by Jan Ernst Matzelig, the inventor of the patented shoe-lasting machine, whose technique changed the way shoes are made and their affordability.
JEMS by Pensole will produce shoes designed by PLC graduate students and sold exclusively at DSW.
Dr. Edwards, well known in the footwear industry, worked with brands like Jordan, Nike, and Adidas founding Pencole in 2010.
“The footwear industry needs more diversity. The partnership we are entering into with Designer Brands and DSW is a new business model that truly empowers the consumer to influence the industry toward that goal,” said Dr. Edwards. “Together with Pensole, Designer Brands and DSW will provide designers opportunities to offer new products directly to consumers. Along the way we will create careers and invest in talented aspiring designers to become the future of our industry.”
Dr. D’Wayne Edwards
Violet T. Lewis
Lewis College of Business was founded in Indianapolis by Violet T. Lewis in 1928. After graduating from Wilberforce University, Lewis turned bookkeeper for the iconic Madame CJ Walker, Co-Founded the Gamma Phi Delta Sorority and March of Dimes Fashion Extravaganza, and more.
Seeing a void of women with secretarial skills, Lewis Received a $50 loan, rented space from her employer, and the furniture may have been used, but it did the job! Word spread, enrollment increased, and the college outgrew its space in Indianapolis. What to do next? Lewis opened a location in Detroit, Michigan, in 1938.
Fast forward to 2013. Lewis College of Business had a severe decline in enrollment, a lack of funding, and lost their accreditation, forcing them to close their doors.
With the backing of the Gilbert Family Foundation and Target, Dr. D’Wayne Edwards picked back up where Violet T. Lewis left off—maintaining the authenticity of her vision. Dr. Edwards successfully reopened the college and has had their HBCU accreditation reinstated. Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design (PLC) is the only Detroit HBCU and epicenter for design and creative studies.
APPLY TO Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design TODAY
Application Date: Feb 7 – March 6
Class Date: May 2 – June 3
Find more information about Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design HERE.
