Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyng Curry.
Hi Kyng, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Hmm, well my story started well before I arrived on this Earth. So we’ll start in 2013 when I had an idea about starting my own brand. I knew I wanted it to mean something and not just another urban apparel line. I wanted it to represent my culture, my community. I wanted to represent all the black & brown communities, not just in the US but around the world. In 2013 before the Black Lives Matter Movement, before the social media uproar of filmed police killings of black people. I was scrolling Facebook and noticed how black women were being represented. In a way, I did agree with you. They were being sexualized. So, from there I had it. I wanted my brand to empower and inspire the truth in self. To educate and uplift. After studying black history in America and black history around the world in college and witnessing the way my peers were treated Power of Blackness emerged. When people first hear this they think it’s about color. Wrong, Blackness is a metaphor for Darkness. Darkness represents a time in US history when blacks were considered 3/5th of a man. My culture was beneath animals at that time. We couldn’t learn to read or write. Black families were being destroyed and ripped apart by removing and not allowing fathers to be a part of the homes. Which was the start of welfare. I mean just a number of inhumane things happening in the black communities. So, this ugly and dark past is the inspiration behind my brand. I have to thank two people who helped me get this idea out of my head and on paper and to the consumers. Chezare Curry and Nadia Hassani without you guys, this wouldn’t be what it is today. These two special people collectively played a huge part in the development. 2016 was the first printed logo pressed on a T-shirt. The debut got great buzz and feedback. I thought it was the end. I was definitely wrong. It was only the beginning. I had so much to learn, not realizing that hey, I have a business. I have to think and run it like a business. That was the first mistake/ failure of many. After I printed that first shirt and put it out in the world I forgot about the demand. I had no clue it would take off like it did and I would not be prepared. Production-wise or business-wise. So, for the next two years, I dedicate it to learning the behind-the-scenes of the business. Taking classes, watching YouTube, reading and books. In 2018 I was back and ready with more stock. I’m also a photographer so I knew I needed models to shoot for my brand. I recruited different female models, made videos/ mini commercials. I dropped a crop top for the summer and it took off again. I’ll never forget it. I brought 50 crop tops. I sold 30 in minutes. For the other 20, it took me two weeks to sell 10 and a month to sell the last 10. Another lesson learned. It’s about less quantity and more clothing selection. Learning not to have 50 or 100 of 1 item but 10 items and 10/20 of each of those items. I Learned that then finally created a website in 2020. It’s been up ever since. I’ve been able to continue to grow and connect with different communities. Still learning business and yet conducting business at a super high standard of professionalism. Giving back to the black and brown community. Doing the work to further push the brand and educate my peers. 10% of all purchased items of POB are donated back to our community. Whether it’s school drives, holiday drives, Black History Month, Juneteenth, Women’s Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, you name it Power of Blackness is there and involved.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have to laugh at this because it has absolutely NOT been smooth. As I previously mentioned, Being creative and having ideas is great but what happens when you show the world your idea and they want to purchase that product and you have no clue how to sell it to them?! Other problems like learning that I can’t have too much of one item because it gets hard to sell the longer you have it. Also teaching people that this has nothing to do with race. Yet everything has to do with equality and human rights. So many struggles, such as lack of knowledge. Simply being ignorant of business. Not having people around me that can teach me. Nothing worth having comes easy. So, I appreciate the struggle and the many failed attempts. It always helps build character.
As you know, we’re big fans of Power of Blackness LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Power Of Blackness LLC is not just a clothing line. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a brand that inspires and empowers plus educates through the threads in the black and brown communities. For all women, men and children. We also are very involved in many communities. Giving back and also coming together with other black-owned and small-owned businesses. To create fun nonviolent activities and events. Yet also standing up to systemic racism and dirty politics and organization. Peacefully protesting and applying the right pressure on politicians to implement positive change. What set my brand apart from others in my own opinion is authenticity. Doing what we say we will do meaning what we say. Yet also building these relationships with real people and being in the communities giving back. I believe in self-representation. I think that the first thing you have to do in my business is identify with my audience/ my customers/ my supporters. What I’m most proud about brand-wise is the connection. Hearing stories of how people react to those who wear the clothing. Hear how wearing the clothing makes them feel proud and a sense of being empowered. Just overall all the positive feedback. I want the readers to know that Power of Blackness LLC stands for something, helps out and has a heavy influence on the community, especially with comradery and positivity. Our brand is to inspire and empower. We do pop-up shops, we do other community events, we do fundraisers we do it all.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can support by going to powerofblackness.com and purchasing some gear. They can collaborate with me through my social media platforms which are Instagram and Facebook @ Power of Blackness. Just DM me. You can also email me to work with me or communicate with me at powerofblackness@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: PowerOfBlackness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerofblackness/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/560324411050053/
Image Credits
Porcilla “Ziggy” Charlton
