We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dexter Humphrey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dexter, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

DJH International LLC, incorporates my apparel (DJH Apparel) and educational resource firm (author and lecturer).

DJH Apparel, a subsidiary of DJH International LLC, pioneers a realm where fabric becomes a canvas for inspiration, motivation, and education. Each product tells a story, weaving threads of creativity and purpose. Through innovative designs, it ignites passions, empowers minds, and fosters a community united by style and substance.

Our mission is to combine faith and fashion to glorify God through faith-based apparel, spreading messages of hope, love, and encouragement. We are dedicated to creating high-quality clothing that empowers individuals to boldly express their beliefs and share the light of Christ with the world.

Our Vision is to inspire people to boldly express their faith through stylish, meaningful apparel that fosters connection, sparks conversation, and glorifies God in everyday life.”

This vision reflects a broad aim for impact, highlighting how DJH Apparel’s designs encourage people to live out and share their faith. Whoever encounters my T-shirts, moves them towards God and greatness.

Jasa Leadership Group is an educational resource firm that develops products, strategies, and initiatives for students, parents and academic leaders. Education has always been my purpose and passion. After graduating with my first of three degrees in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University, I accepted a full-time position with Delco Electronics. Seeking to pursue my educational passions, I resigned from Delco Electronics to start my educational & business consulting firm.

My journey has been anything but smooth. Success does not occur in a straight line! I have battled homelessness, depression, failed relationships, and car repossessions just to name a few challenges I have endured.

Jasa Leadership Group is an educational resource firm that develops products, strategies, and initiatives for students, parents and academic leaders. My firm primarily specializes in literacy and entrepreneurship for students. My moniker is Dexter The Educator because that’s what I do. I educate to empower and inspire others.

Securing several Fortune 500 companies such as Wal-Mart, Chick Fil A, McDonald’s and various mega-church ministries as clients.

My greatest asset is my ability to conceive, design and actualize my ideas. As an engineer, I am trained to solve problems. I have authored over 25 books….written, designed, formatted and published! I have also designed over 500 unique apparel products to date which are currently available online at Amazon.com, Walmart.com and Etsy.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Thank you for the opportunity to share about myself and DJH Apparel! My name is Dexter J. Humphrey, and I am passionate about combining faith and creativity to make a meaningful impact. I founded DJH Apparel to bring together two things close to my heart: fashion and faith. Our mission is to create Christian T-shirts that glorify God while offering stylish and relatable designs that people are excited to wear.

The journey into this business began with a simple idea—to share messages of hope, humor, and motivation through something as accessible as a T-shirt. I realized how powerful a shirt could be in sparking conversations about faith and spreading positivity. Whether it’s a witty saying, a motivational Bible verse, or a sports-inspired design, we aim to make faith a fun and integral part of everyday life.

As a disciplined reader, researcher, and self-educated designer, I’ve dedicated myself to mastering the art of creating designs that resonate deeply with our audience. I’ve poured countless hours into understanding not just fashion trends but also the nuances of how faith can be expressed through style. This dedication is at the core of everything DJH Apparel stands for.

What sets DJH Apparel apart is our commitment to authenticity. We’re not just creating products; we’re building a brand that aligns with our values and encourages others to boldly live out their faith. I’m especially proud of our efforts to partner with Christian athletes to promote our message. These collaborations have been an incredible way to inspire others while growing a community that shares our vision.

For anyone considering DJH Apparel, I want you to know that every design and message we create is intentional. We’re here to provide clothing that’s not just stylish but also spiritually uplifting. Whether you’re a believer looking to express your faith or someone curious about Christianity, our goal is to meet you where you are and inspire you to shine your light.

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

One of the most defining moments in my journey with DJH Apparel is a testament to resilience and resourcefulness. With no marketing budget to speak of, I knew I had to rely on creativity and sheer determination to get my brand noticed. Through what I like to call “Thumb Equity”—countless social media posts and sending thousands of individual emails—I managed to get our products into the hands of NFL athletes like Jordan Love, quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, and NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe.

Additionally, I have been blessed to garner the attention of Mrs. Randi Mahomes, mother of NFL Superstar QB Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, with our faith-based sports apparel. These moments have been pivotal in building credibility for the brand and showcasing the powerful connection between faith and sports.

I live with the unyielding affirmation: “I CAN. I WILL. I MUST.” I believe in my ability to make this brand a success. I have the willpower to overcome all obstacles and challenges, and I must succeed to leave a lasting legacy for my family.

These achievements and this mindset remind me—and hopefully inspire others—that with faith, hard work, and resourcefulness, even the biggest challenges can be overcome.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

One of my favorite marketing stories is deeply tied to my philosophy on brand-building: if you want others to wear your brand, you need to be your first and most enthusiastic customer. When I first started DJH Apparel, I didn’t have a marketing budget, but I had an unshakable belief in the mission of my brand.

I wore my designs everywhere—church, community events, even grocery runs—and shared posts online consistently. I reached out to churches and faith-based organizations, offering my products to people who shared my values. It wasn’t easy; some emails went unanswered, and I faced rejection along the way. But I stayed true to my mission and vision, refusing to imitate others because I firmly believe, “God made me an original, so don’t try to become a cheap copy of someone else.”

One specific instance that stands out was when I reached out to NFL athletes with no prior connections. The odds of getting a response were slim, but I prayed, stayed persistent, and poured my passion into every email. To my amazement, my products eventually made it into the hands of Jordan Love, Shannon Sharpe, and even caught the attention of Mrs. Randi Mahomes.

The best marketing advice I can offer is to believe in your brand so deeply that it becomes infectious. Wear your brand every day, share your story online, and connect with the community you hope to support your products. When people see your passion, they’ll be more likely to believe in what you’re doing. It’s about staying authentic and trusting the path God has laid out for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.djhapparel.com and www.djhapparelstore.com and www.dexterhumphrey.com
• Instagram: @djh_apparel and @dextertheeducator
• Facebook: DexterJasa
• Twitter: djh_apparel