Steve Madden Says HBCUs Deserve More Attention ‘Especially At This Time In America’ — Here’s How His Company Is Ensuring They Get It – AfroTech
Steve Madden wants to ensure HBCU students have a stake in the fashion industry.
Madden turned a $1,100 investment into an iconic shoe brand that launched in 1990 in Queens, NY, according to information on the company’s website. He said the venture was inspired by music and street culture with a focus on individuality. Since then, it has expanded into apparel, handbags and fragrances.
“I get my inspiration from pounding the pavement all over the world,” he said in a statement on the website.
The Steve Madden brand has continued to grow decades after its founding. Its 2026 financial report states its second quarter revenue reached $665.9 million, a 19.1% increase compared to $559.0 million during that period in 2025. This follows its 2025 acquisition of Kurt Geiger, a British footwear and fashion accessories brand, Forbes reported.
“Looking to 2026, we are encouraged by the momentum building in our flagship Steve Madden brand and the opportunity for growth in Kurt Geiger London,” Steve Madden Chairman and CEO Edward Rosenfeld commented at the time.
Championing HBCUs
Additionally, Madden wants to ensure students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) can similarly shape the future of fashion, according to a LinkedIn post. In its third year at the Howard University School of Business, Celebrating Fashion’s Future is an effort designed to strengthen access, nurture talent, and create opportunities in the business of fashion.
“At Steve Madden, we believe the future of fashion is shaped by the creativity, courage, and cultural influence of young people rewriting what’s possible,” a statement from Steve Madden read on LinkedIn.
Madden acknowledged on “The Breakfast Club” that he has “been very influenced by Black people” throughout his life. He said his focus on HBCUs stems from his belief that they deserve more attention, “especially at this time in America.”
Celebrating Fashion’s Future
The 2026 Celebrating Fashion’s Future program, in partnership with Black Retail Action Group (BRAG), has welcomed 20 students to participate in a retail and brand strategy boot camp, complete capstone projects, and gain hands-on fashion and corporate experience in New York City.
Kyran Nickens, a junior marketing major, was one of the 2026 scholars to participate in the program.
“This puts me in the right direction for my post-grad plans of being successful in the luxury retail industry,” Nickens said in a video shared on Instagram.
Additionally, Dominique Robinson, another scholar in the program who is a sophomore business management major, went on to become a CSR Employee & Community Engagement Intern at Steve Madden this summer, according to her LinkedIn.
