We were lucky to catch up with Andre Wright recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Andre, thanks for joining us today. undefined

One of the most innovative things I’ve done in my career was writing The Fashion Activist.

This wasn’t just a book—it was a movement in print. I wanted to create something that would shatter the boundaries between art, culture, and social change. The book weaves together my journey in fashion with the raw realities of systemic inequities, showing how clothing is never just clothing—it’s a language, a protest, a declaration of identity.

What makes it so powerful is that it’s for everyone.

For creatives, it’s a blueprint on how to infuse purpose into your work without losing your artistic soul.

For activists, it’s proof that your voice can resonate far beyond the streets—it can live in fabric, imagery, and design.

For everyday readers, it’s an invitation to see the fashion industry not as a glamorous surface, but as a mirror reflecting society’s deepest truths.

The innovation lies in how it bridges worlds: part memoir, part design manual, part social manifesto. I didn’t want people to just read it—I wanted them to feel it, to finish the last page ready to create something of their own.

In short, The Fashion Activist became more than a book—it became a catalyst, empowering readers to stand taller, speak louder, and design a better future.

Andre, 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?

Andre’ Wright is a designer, activist, visionary, community builder, and world traveler who has dedicated his life to amplifying and uplifting the underrepresented. I’ve been creating brands and doing screen printing for over 20 years, and that hands-on experience is the foundation for everything I do today. Since launching my own fashion brand out of Iowa City, Iowa, I’ve grown Humanize My Hoodie into a global fashion activism movement—designing hoodies for rappers, Black liberation leaders, allies, and Black youth while staging powerful fashion shows and workshops across the country. These events have educated thousands on the power of fashion to inspire, empower, and spark necessary conversations about race, justice, and humanity.

I’m also the founder of Wright House, the first fashion house in Iowa, dedicated to supporting underrepresented creatives through resources, mentorship, and opportunities. As a nationally recognized speaker and trainer, I lead conversations and workshops that help audiences—from classrooms to corporate boardrooms—understand how creativity, activism, and business can work together to create change.

My work has been featured at New York Fashion Week and promoted by Politico, NPR, Essence magazine, Target, Atlantic Records, Warner Music Group, Thisis50, Facebook, and Foot Action. I was recently honored as Entrepreneur of the Year by Junior Achievement, a recognition that reflects the impact of my work not just in fashion, but in culture and community building.

What sets me apart is my ability to merge design with purpose. I don’t just make clothing—I create cultural statements that demand attention and action. My products and services go beyond apparel; they’re platforms for dialogue, community organizing, and education.

What I’m most proud of is seeing how my work inspires others to embrace their creativity, take action, and believe in their own power to make a difference. I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that when you connect with my work, you’re joining a movement—one that’s rooted in love, resilience, and the belief that fashion can change the world.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Funding my business was never about starting with a big check—it was about starting with what I had. In my early years, I relied heavily on sweat equity. I put in countless hours designing, printing, setting up pop-up shops, and getting my hands dirty in every part of the process. That grind taught me not only the craft, but also the hustle and discipline it takes to turn an idea into reality.

Once I started to gain momentum, I created multiple brands as both a revenue stream and a learning lab. Each one taught me valuable lessons about what sells, how to connect with customers, and how to build something that’s sustainable. That experience became my blueprint for making money in the long run.

As my operations and credibility grew, I made it a priority to build business credit. It wasn’t overnight—it took planning, discipline, and a clear vision. But once I established strong business credit, it changed the game. Now, I can leverage that credit to fund larger projects, secure inventory, and negotiate better business deals without always having to pull from my personal funds.

For me, funding my business has always been about resourcefulness—starting with sweat equity, reinvesting into my vision, and building financial tools that give me the freedom to grow on my own terms.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most powerful examples of my resilience came while I was writing The Fashion Activist. On the surface, it’s a book about fashion and social change—but for me, it became something much deeper. Writing it meant I had to revisit my entire journey—my whole childhood, the challenges I faced growing up, the moments of doubt, and the victories that shaped me as a designer, activist, and community builder.

It wasn’t easy. There were chapters that forced me to relive hard truths and remember times when the odds felt stacked against me. I had to process those memories while also carrying the weight of my career—over 20 years of design work, brand building, and cultural advocacy—into every page. At times, it felt like I was peeling back layers I had spent years protecting.

But pushing through that discomfort reminded me exactly why resilience matters. The same determination that helped me launch brands, grow movements, and educate thousands was the same fuel that got me through the writing process. When I finally held that book in my hands, it wasn’t just a finished product—it was proof that no matter how challenging the road, you can turn your life’s story into something that inspires and empowers others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fashion-activist.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/international_dre78
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/andregraphics

Image Credits

Andre’ Wright