We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Uniquka Christian. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Uniquka below.

Uniquka, appreciate you joining us today. We believe kindness is contagious and so we’d love for you to share with us and our audience about the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

A year ago, I got an unexpected phone call from New York — and it turned out to be from The Drew Barrymore Show. I’ll never forget that moment. I had been working hard to build my nonprofit, Student Icons, teaching youth how to sew and use creativity to build confidence. I had no big sponsors or team behind me — just passion, faith, and a deep belief in what I was doing.

When the producer told me they had seen a local news story about one of my youth sewing sessions and wanted to feature me on national television, I was completely shocked. I remember holding the phone in disbelief, just trying to process it all.

Then came the real surprise — during the show, Drew Barrymore gifted my organization $10,000 and a full class set of brand-new sewing machines. I was speechless. I felt seen, supported, and validated in a way I had never experienced before.

It wasn’t just about the money or equipment — it was the recognition of years of hard work and sacrifice. It reminded me that when you pour into others and lead with purpose, even when no one seems to notice, the right people will eventually see your light. That moment changed everything for me — and it remains one of the kindest, most meaningful experiences of my life.

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

I’m Uniqka Christian, a fashion designer, sewing instructor, and founder of Student Icons, a youth sewing nonprofit I started in 2019. I’ve been sewing for years, and what began as a personal passion turned into a calling to teach and inspire others — especially young people — through creativity.

With Student Icons, I teach sewing in a way that’s fun, hands-on, and meaningful. My programs give kids and teens the chance to design, create, and express themselves while learning patience, problem-solving, and confidence. I also host sewing camps, community workshops, and events that combine creativity with purpose — like upcycling denim or creating wellness-inspired projects such as lavender eye pillows.

What really sets my work apart is that I don’t just teach sewing — I use it as a tool for empowerment. Every stitch is a lesson in perseverance and self-belief. I love seeing students light up when they finish something they never thought they could make.

One of the proudest moments of my journey was being featured on The Drew Barrymore Show, where I received $10,000 and 15 new sewing machines for my organization. That experience reminded me that when you follow your purpose and pour into others, beautiful things happen.

At the heart of everything I do is a desire to show people — especially youth — that they can create something amazing with their own hands. My brand is all about creativity, confidence, and community.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

I actually started sewing when I was about eight years old. It began as a simple childhood passion that just kept growing. By high school, I was designing and sewing prom dresses for my classmates — and that experience taught me early on how to turn creativity into income.

As I got older, I started teaching sewing classes and workshops, and that became the foundation for funding my business. I didn’t have investors or big grants in the beginning — just faith, dedication, and a lot of hard work. Every class I taught helped me reinvest back into my business, buying supplies, machines, and materials to grow what would eventually become Student Icons.

To this day, my sewing classes continue to help fund the mission. Each class supports our youth programs and community projects, so the business side and the nonprofit side really work hand in hand. It’s been a journey of building one stitch at a time — literally — and I’m proud that everything started from something I loved doing as a child.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

One book that really changed my perspective is The Secret. A friend told me about it years ago, and it opened my eyes to the power of mindset, gratitude, and manifestation. The book talks about how our thoughts shape our reality — how focusing on what you want, rather than what you lack, can completely shift your life.

One of the ideas that stuck with me most was the power of journaling — writing things down in detail, almost like placing an order with the universe. I started journaling, and honestly, I was amazed at what happened. When I look back at my old journal entries, it gives me chills because so many of the things I wrote about actually came true — even receiving $10,000, traveling to New York, and getting new sewing machines for my nonprofit.

It made me realize that clarity and intention are powerful. When you believe in what you’re doing and write it down with purpose, life has a way of aligning to make it happen. The Secret taught me that faith, focus, and action are a combination that truly works — and that’s become a big part of how I approach both life and business today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://studenticons.org
• Instagram: student_icons
• Facebook: Student ICONS