Designing the Future: PLC Detroit and Foot Locker Empower Black High School Creatives Through SEE Initiative

It’s simple, the numbers don’t lie. Less than 10% of Black students are enrolled in design colleges and universities across the country. For decades, this underrepresentation has served as both a symptom and a cause of systemic inequities in education and career access. But today, a powerful new initiative is stepping in to address this gap—and its impact could be transformational. PLC Detroit, the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the nation dedicated to design, has joined forces with Foot Locker to launch the School of Emerging Excellence (SEE). This nationwide program is an intentional effort to provide Black high school students with the resources, mentorship, and access they need to succeed in design. For students who have faced barriers to entry, this initiative could be life-changing. “Our kids cannot become what they cannot SEE,” said Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, president of PLC Detroit and a pioneer in diversifying the design industry. His words underscore the urgency behind the SEE initiative, which is designed to prepare Black students for meaningful careers while breaking down barriers that have long excluded them. SEE’s nationwide focus reflects a recognition that creativity exists everywhere, even in communities where opportunities are scarce. Through a...