We recently connected with Ericalynn Cotton and have shared our conversation below.

Ericalynn, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

In my early 20s, shortly after getting married, I ventured into the world of event decor. I purchased a machine to create invitations and cut various shapes for decorations. One day, my late husband, a popular local comedian, asked if the machine could cut vinyl to put on t-shirts. This was before vinyl t-shirt pressing became popular, and there were no YouTube tutorials available. Curious and excited, I ordered iron-on vinyl from Amazon and attempted to iron on a design he came up with using our living room iron. The design simply spelled out the word “DOPE.” with a period at the end.
My husband started wearing these shirts on stage, and soon people began asking where they could buy one. Living in the inner city, I turned to our local corner stores, which sold t-shirts for $5. I began making custom shirts with different sayings based on customer requests, still using an iron to press the vinyl. What started as a hobby quickly grew into a business.
Realizing the potential, I invested in an actual heat press, and found a distributer with quality blank tees. With the help of a family friend, I did a photoshoot and created a website. The DOPE. design evolved from a symbol of pride and confidence in one’s culture to also represent various professions. In 2022, my cousin, a social worker, asked me to make a DOPE. Social Worker tee, and since then, it has become a statement piece for many professionals who wear it with pride.
This journey, sparked by a simple idea and nurtured by community support, transformed my small hobby into a thriving business. Today, our brand stands as a testament to the power of creativity, resilience, and the enduring impact of my husband’s legacy.

Ericalynn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

At the core of my brand is a commitment to self-empowerment and cultural awareness. BLACK. and DOPE. are the signature logos that define our identity and resonate with our community. These logos are not just designs; they are powerful statements of pride and confidence.
The “A” in BLACK. and the “O” in DOPE. are designed to resemble the continent of Africa. This design choice is intentional, representing our roots and heritage, and serving as a constant reminder of where we come from. The goal is for Black men, women, and children to be proud of who they are and where they come from.
Each word ends with a period, which is crucial to the brand’s message. The period signifies a complete sentence: “I am BLACK (period), I am DOPE (period).” This punctuation emphasizes that these statements are definitive and unapologetic. It affirms that being Black and being Dope are complete and powerful identities on their own.
Initially, I started by creating custom designs based on customer requests. While this was fulfilling and allowed for a great deal of creativity, it also took up a significant amount of time and shifted my focus away from the original intention of my brand. Custom designs were unique, but they did not always align with the core message I wanted to convey.
By concentrating on these powerful symbols, I have been able to create products that speak directly to various groups and professions. For instance, the DOPE. logo has been adapted to highlight different professions, such as “DOPE. Social Worker, DOPE. Doula, DOPE. Midwife” and the list goes on. This version of the logo has become a statement piece for many professionals who wear it with pride, acknowledging their contribution and significance in their respective fields.
The BLACK. and DOPE. logos are more than just fashion statements; they are tools for cultural awareness and representation. They allow individuals to express their identity and pride through what they wear. This representation is crucial in a world where cultural identities can often be marginalized or misunderstood. By wearing these logos, individuals make a bold statement about who they are and what they stand for.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Realizing that custom designs were taking me away from my original intention, I made the difficult decision to pivot. I decided to dedicate my efforts to the DOPE. and BLACK. brand, which are the signature elements that truly define my brand. This meant scaling back on custom orders for special events and directing my resources toward developing and promoting these core logos. Focusing on the DOPE. and BLACK. brand allowed me to refine and expand my product line with a clear and consistent message. These logos are more than just designs; they are a statement of identity and empowerment. By centering my brand around these powerful symbols, I could create a cohesive collection that resonated deeply with my target audience. As I continue to grow the DOPE. and BLACK. brand, I remain committed to the principles that inspired these logos. It’s a journey of continuous learning and adaptation, but with a clear focus, the path ahead is exciting and full of potential. Embracing this pivot has allowed me to create a brand that not only reflects my vision but also resonates with and empowers my audience.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Being connected in the community with the other work that I do whether it is working with community based organizations or in the healthcare field as a nurse, I have been able to market this brand subconsciously by wearing the apparel or by others who wear it. By concentrating on the DOPE. and BLACK. logos, I was able to strengthen my brand’s presence in the market. These signature designs became synonymous with quality, style, and a bold statement of self-expression. The pivot also opened up new opportunities for collaborations and partnerships that aligned with my brand values, further elevating our reach and influence.
One of the local organizations that we have partnered with is, CocoLife.Black. The founder, Alexia Doumbouya is dedicated to making a difference in the Black Maternal/Paternal Health space. CocoLife, has helped to expand our brand amoung Black Birthworkers. We have begun to donate proceeds of specific shirts to the organization becuase of the amazing work that they are doing in the Black and Brown Community.
Our focus on the BLACK. and DOPE. logos has also helped build a strong community around the brand. Customers who wear these logos are not just buying a product; they are joining a movement. This movement is about celebrating our heritage, embracing our identity, and empowering each other to be proud of who we are.
Looking ahead, my goal is to continue evolving the Black. and DOPE. logos to cater to more groups and professions, expanding the reach and impact of the brand. I am committed to creating designs that inspire and empower, staying true to the message of self-empowerment and cultural awareness that started it all. The journey from custom designs to focusing on the BLACK. and DOPE. logos has been transformative. It has allowed me to create a brand that is not only about fashion but also about making a powerful statement. These logos symbolize pride, confidence, and a deep connection to our roots. They are a testament to the power of identity and the importance of being proud of who we are.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ellebyel.com
• Instagram: @ellebyel
• Facebook: ellebyel

Image Credits

Arekusn Photography
The Poetson
DMurray Photogrpahy
Richard Wah