Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kimberly McGlonn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Kimberly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

Founded in 2017, Grant Blvd is a Philadelphia-based apparel brand and very first Black-owned B Corp in the fashion space in North America. We’re on a mission to construct bold, sustainably sourced garments & artisan home goods produced in Philadelphia. Even better? Our team supports women who are formerly incarcerated through job training and living wages.

Formerly incarcerated women, 58% of which are mothers, face a myriad of challenges upon reentry into society. One significant hurdle is the high rate of recidivism, where individuals return to criminal activities after release. This cycle is often perpetuated by the difficulties women encounter in securing stable employment due to the stigma associated with their criminal records. The struggle to find decent housing, coupled with limited access to educational and vocational opportunities, contributes to a higher likelihood of reoffending. In the context of poverty, many of these women experience economic hardships, impacting not only their own well-being but also that of their families. In Philadelphia, where these challenges are pronounced, poverty rates further exacerbate the struggles of formerly incarcerated women, making it imperative to address the systemic barriers that hinder their successful reintegration into society.

We believe that if we demand more, if we think differently about not only what we buy, but who we buy from- we have the power to challenge not only the social issues exacerbated by mass incarceration, but to more meaningfully address the climate catastrophe.

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

I am an advocate for justice & environmentalism, advocacy that began in my career as a teacher and that now informs my approach to leadership in the fashion industry. As Founder & CEO of the manufacturing start-up Grant Blvd ®, I oversee the creative direction and growth strategy of the brand. Outside of these roles, I disrupt via my second company, the thrift/vintage concept Blk Ivy Thrift, which tells the story of fashion as activism through a curation of garments which amplify the style of 1954-1972, my book, “Build It Boldly: How Great Leaders Can Drive Change & Save the Future, and my podcast “The School for Disrupters”.

I’m proud that work has been featured by Fast Company, Inc Magazine, WWD, and has been funded by Beyonce’s BeyGood Foundation. In 2022 I was a recipient of the Visa’s “She’s Next in Fashion Award” and the Black Enterprise “Business Disruptor of the Year” award. In 2023, I was named one of the “150 Most Influential Philadelphians”.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

We manufacture about 85% of what we sell right here in Philadelphia. That makes us incredibly special, particularly given how few fashion brands have positioned themselves to control their own means of production. That, however, creates unique challenges. We have higher labor costs and have had to learn how to navigate the supply chain. We’ve found quality partners as we’ve grown, but have had to learn the importance of understanding your cost of goods and managing costs down to things like buttons & zippers.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

We made the leap to launch a new division in 2023, in large part because we knew we needed to grow our revenues and we saw an opportunity in the hospitality sector. Specifically, in addition to designing directly for consumers, we also partner to design textiles produce like artisanal aprons, uniforms, and table linens.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.grantblvd.com
• Instagram: @grantblvd
• Linkedin: @kimberlymcglonn
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icG5_sy7cCk

Image Credits
Katie Lynn Hale Andrew Antwi Fideal Boamah