The Chicago Journal

Your Gateway to the Heartbeat of Chicago

Uplift Provisions Company LLC: Rocco’s Danieli’s Medium for Giving Back to Society

Overcoming addiction is a big deal, and drawing strength from that victory is even a bigger deal. Rocco Danieli has hit rock bottom before, but he found a way to bounce back, pull himself up, and is now on a path of helping others get their lives back together. The idea to launch Uplift Provisions Company LLC was conceived in 2017 in Rocco’s kitchen. At that time, he was broken spiritually and emotionally and undergoing a 12-step recovery process. His recovery entailed focusing on new things, which gave life to Uplift Provisions Company.

Being a professional and experienced barber, Rocco Danieli knew he had to start something iconic in line with his profession. He set to work to develop a line of hairstyling products that were easier to use. Before then, he hated to use the common styling products, which were heavily scented and often left residue on the hair and hands after use. He began his research on how to use simple and clean ingredients to bring his idea to life.

He went into production and debuted the product in the local market. The product was an instant hit, and Rocco Danieli began to explore growth ideas for the business. He brought his longtime friend and client, Steve Presti, alongside his wife, Kelly, on board to support him. They officially launched the company in2018 as a unique lifestyle brand dedicated to uplifting others and turning lives around.

Today, Uplift Provisions Company, LLC is known for giving back to society and those in need. For many years, Rocco had to deal with the allergy triggers he got from many hair products, and he often questioned why many product lines used ingredients like dyes, sulfates, and phthalates. He launched Uplift Provisions Company, LLC with three products, which are “Signature Pomade” for stronghold, a “Styling Compound” that is a mix of Kaolin Clay and the Signature Pomade for a more matte, pliable look, and “Texture Dust” for added lift and texture. The Texture Dust is also great for thin or fine hair as it adds volume and makes the hair look fuller.

Rocco’s motivation to establish his company came from surviving and overcoming many wild and turbulent years. He struggled with addiction for years and even lost two sisters to addiction. He was spiraling down the dangerous path that many of his friends, co-workers, and older brother had gone through before he snapped out of with a rude awakening. He was in a car accident that broke his feet and kept him on crushes for eight months. Throughout that time, he was emotionally and spiritually broken until he got on his journey to recovery. He knew how much he needed to be positive, which he achieved by helping other people physically and emotionally. His work as a barber helped him make people look and feel better while he also worked on doing the same for himself.

As a growing company, Uplift Provisions Company has focused on growth within the New England area and has developed strong partnerships with barbershops, hair salons, and other entities that believe in the product. Danieli is working hard to grow the company to a profitable level so it can be heavily involved in giving back to local communities and helping those with addiction recovery.

Learn more about Uplift Provisions Company, LLC on the official website.

Inside the Mind of Tevin Everett

One upcoming director is no stranger to making things happen. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue filmmaking, wrote screenplays picked up by one of the biggest networks in the industry, and most of all, explored how he can use his voice to make a change in the world. That is Tevin Everett.

Tevin Everett spent eight years in the US Navy before finally moving to Los Angeles and going on a journey of becoming a filmmaker. Even with an incredible start in the industry as a screenwriter, Tevin knew there is so much he needed to learn.

“When I first started screenwriting, I could see how writers’ works would constantly get watered down or told they weren’t good enough. I believed I had a few stories to tell and I didn’t want to let anyone else tell me how to tell it. So I figured, why not take a shot at it myself?”

The industry is tough, but despite it all, Tevin is a force to be reckoned with. He worked hard and explored the unknowns with strength, resilience, and a desire to make it big someday. “My ability to get the job done is what I brought with me from the military. No task is too big and everything can be figured out,” he affirms.

After he slowly made himself known as a screenwriter, Tevin knew it was time to take a step forward to explore more on what he could do. 

So in January last year, Tevin made his directorial debut with his short film, the Don’t Call List. Part of his short film collection for Amazon Prime.  It was about a man who struggled to deal with his commitment issues on Valentine’s Day—a quirky romantic comedy film that showed his versatility as a filmmaker. Prior to Don’t Call List, Tevin could never imagine the day he could finally direct his own film, but after doing so, he only had respect for the people who supported him to make it possible. On Instagram, his humility and gratitude can be seen as he proclaims that he is nothing without those who believed in his talent. 

That film was only the beginning for Tevin and his vision. Recently, Tevin worked on the project Diversity Hires, a web series he wrote, directed, and produced. Diversity Hires is a timely film about America’s hiring processes with regard to racial discrimination. This was his first step toward the direction of producing more socially relevant films and shows. He also finished the project Short Term, the second installment in his collection for Prime releasing in February.

Furthermore, Tevin started A Tevin Everett Jawn production company. Tevin wants for his company to become an outlet for kids and adults who feel that they have a unique story to tell. After all, it is through this drive that he has become who he is now. Wherever the industry takes Tevin, one thing’s for sure: he’s going to own his voice and share his vision. As he wrote in his Instagram bio, “Just sharing my vision with the world, whatever that looks like.”

Learn more about Tevin Everett by visiting his Instagram.

Acclaimed Wealth Strategist TD Brewer on Helping People Realize Their Potential

Personal growth is an undertaking that is, at times, difficult to face head-on and achieve on one’s own. For some, it is the inability to see their blind spots that can prove to be challenging, while for others, their lack of knowledge of where to start and how to approach the goal of transforming into a better version of themselves could be the problem. This is where TD Brewer, a leading personal development coach, comes in to lend a hand in translating one’s vision of growth into reality.

Widely acclaimed, TD Brewer is known globally for his commitment to maximizing human potential. He has earned recognition as an innovative thought leader and change agent whose deep-seated belief that people can evolve for the better fuels his drive. Throughout his career, this success-enabler has been heralded as the “Guilt-Free Wealth Speaker” for championing a bold faith-based message that wealth is about much more than making money. “Wealth is about being able to harness your own powerful ability to take your future into your hands and make tangible changes for a successful, balanced living,” he expounds. 

TD Brewer’s dedication toward helping people live life to the fullest has propelled him to the forefront of the personal development industry. This seasoned mentor has been credited for guiding numerous individuals in their pursuit of personal and professional breakthroughs. 

The esteemed personality has served as a pillar of support for others, not only through his speaking engagements and mentoring sessions. Wielding the power of words to inspire change and influence, TD Brewer is also an author of several transformative books, including The Art of Mastering the Blessed Life, The Power of Creative Thinking, The Blessing Exposed and It’s Possible. Through these books, he is able to impart his in-depth knowledge living an abundant, purpose-filled life as well as share his personal story of overcoming.

TD Brewer is no stranger to hardships. He grew up in a toxic neighborhood where drive-by shootings, drug dealing, and gang violence were part of the norm. But by the strength of his faith in the Lord, this inspirational icon managed to maneuver his life away from that dangerous path. Today, he stands at the summit of his industry, having achieved numerous accomplishments thanks to his faith and sheer tenacity.

His long list of credentials includes his remarkable career in IT and his Bachelor’s in Business and Certificate in Project Management. TD Brewer is currently attending the Texas A & M University School of Law and pursuing a Masters of Jurisprudence in Wealth Management. This academic pursuit is in line with his goal of helping others lift themselves out of difficult circumstances by embracing the divine presence. 

In the coming years, TD Brewer looks forward to motivating more people all over the world by emphasizing the wealth of potential that they possess. He also plans to continue helping people adopt a healthier mindset through his books and speaking engagements. 

Learn more about TD Brewer by visiting his website.

Criss Bellini: The Number One Source of Unique, Customized and Branded Artwork

The value that comes with a piece of artwork is mostly derived from its exclusivity. Being an artist that values quality over quantity, Criss Bellini decided to make art exclusivity his core value offering. In his words, “I was inspired by people who are averse to mediocrity! I no longer wanted anyone to only have options like cheap posters and overpriced artworks, so I created a middle ground by launching my brand which offers exclusivity at an affordable price.”

The Criss Bellini brand sells all its artwork on the official website, and they can never be bought anywhere else. Based in Sweden, Criss Bellini offers both traditional and digital art. He hand-paints most of his designs on canvas using acrylic and mixed media, after which he photographs them professionally and prints them out. Criss Bellini ensures that the hand-painted artwork’s originality is not lost when it is printed out, and he offers his customers the exclusive feel of owning any of his artwork.

The Criss Bellini brand embodies a mix of street culture and motivation. Each artwork is an iconic, timeless art piece that is modernized to fit into today’s world. They usually come in a limited number of 250, and once they are sold out, nobody can get them anymore. The Criss Bellini brand targets business, fashion, and culture-minded people who constantly need some sort of inspiration or motivation to keep going. Some of the brand’s artwork also have elements of street and hip-hop culture in them. Criss Bellini is heavily influenced by trends that pop fashion icons like Kanye West and Virgil Abloh, amongst others, have set.

Criss Bellini is setting himself apart as an artist who has gone beyond boring art. “The brand is for people who don’t enjoy mediocre art and thus love to own artwork that isn’t for everybody,” he says. His inspiration to create something as notable as his brand comes from the kind of upbringing he had. “Having no dreams nor goals got me into a lot of trouble with the law as a kid, but it forced me to get on a quest to better my life,” Criss explains.

He grew up with his family running away from a war-torn country without money, birthday parties, or school trips. All of those experiences that he missed out on influenced him heavily to make the most of his talents and create something that people can easily relate to. Over the next few years, his goal is to grow his brand beyond the United States into Europe and globally. He also hopes to collaborate with big names like Virgil Abloh and brands like Louis Vuitton.

Criss Bellini is an anonymous artist who works behind a mask to signify the masks we each wear each day. He never explains the meaning of his works, but he revealed that he takes his inspiration from hip-hop culture and that he will always take inspiration from there. He has received endless reviews, and though he started making art in January 2020, he has made a million dollars in his first year.

Just like he was inspired as a child to make something out of himself, Criss Bellini hopes to inspire many kids who have no idea what they want to become. As he establishes himself as a notable and genuine artist, he hopes to pass on hope, motivation, and power to the younger ones. “Dreams can come true if you have them, but you just gotta believe in yourself,” he says.

Learn more about the Criss Bellini brand on the official website or check out photos of artwork here.

C2 Records on New Projects and Continuously Innovating Music Production and Artist Development

Create Culture Records (also known as C2 Records) is getting the show on the virtual road in 2021! On January 2, the C2 Team completed their final review of applicants for the Music Madness contest and announced the top 64 selections. In light of the previous year, C2 Records hit the ground running as a label deeply rooted in the principle that music is an unparalleled unifier of all people.

Phil Oakley, the founder of C2 Records, conceived the idea of this label while visiting Graceland. It was there, in Memphis, that he decided to create a label that would primarily serve to unite people from all backgrounds and genres of music. Given the challenges that artists face in today’s industry, a virtual music contest to discover artists was decidedly the best approach to address the limitations and hurdles faced by artists as a result of the pandemic. The Music Madness contest is open to all genres of music. As a result of the inclusive nature of the competition, C2 Records received hundreds of applications from across the United States. Congratulations to the following contestants who were named to the top 64 and who will begin competing on January 14, 2021. Here is a list including some of the selected artists:

Alissa Musto  Benton  John Lewis 
Jessica Ricca  Soul Flow  Dymend Pórl 
Exxdout  Ryan Travis  Deefinea$$ 
President jers  Brittany Anne  813kdubb 
Shakia Chanel  Jewelie Jewel  Shannon Lahiff 
Bobby Hustle  Kelley Lennon  Angeyo 
Caleb Hacker  The Beat Brothers Band  Juilan Fulco Perron 
Micheal Fordays  Sadia  Ursula Harris 
Ryane  Steven James  Sinless Origins 
Ebony Hazel  Sophie Mae  Ja’Leeyna 
Couch Musicians  Grey Wulf  Mike Richards 
Heaven Lee   Jacob Melton Rachel Dudley
Apex Hollow Pierre Gervais Anthony Sundquist
Amir Akram Carious Kai The MC
Lezli P Black Valentine Willie G
Mo Nicole Ron Sings Kanysha
Grey Wulf Luke the Kid Benton
Soul Flow    

 
The Music Madness contest relies on social media as a primary channel of communication and to increase exposure for up-and-coming artists. Create Culture Records is an independent music label created to discover and nurture untapped musical talent. C2 Records offers a groundbreaking approach to promotional opportunities and completely re-imagines contractual benefits and ownership of rights by artists. Our standard is to challenge the long-standing industry standards for every artist. C2 will be announcing other members of the team, including but not limited to vocal coaches, executive producers, songwriters, and others to significantly advance the presence of artists in the industry. 

To further support participants of the Music Madness contest, C2 Records has partnered with Los Angeles based talent management, the AVM Group, who will provide contestants with exposure and opportunities on the live-streaming app LIVIT. The artists selected to participate will be awarded optional streaming contracts valued at $800.00 or more. With over 40 million registered users worldwide, LIVIT will provide artists even greater opportunity to connect with their audience and monetize their talent. LIVIT’s focus on growing and nurturing talent while giving them a platform to benefit financially perfectly aligns with C2 Records.     

Additionally, C2 Records is excited to announce the signing of Keelan Jones to their label. Keelan is a graduate of Columbia College School of Music and has embraced C2’s vision of creating an all-inclusive label and by releasing an album entitled, “The Light.” The inspiration for this song was derived from difficult events Keelan was facing in the past year and how staying the course helped him prevail through these difficulties. 

One of the key reasons Keelan chose to sign with C2 Records was the label’s approach to artist management and music production. C2 Records breaks away from traditional methods used by most labels. By allowing their artists a broader sense of freedom in creating their music, as well as providing early compensation on royalties, C2 provides a rich environment for artists on the label to grow and create. 

It is by no coincidence that C2 chose to release this song as one of its first songs, given the challenges the world is currently facing today, with the hopes that others will find inspiration to “continue the fight” and not give up. After sharing his song with the leadership team at C2, Keelan commented, “Behind every phone, there is a living being who has been through something real and who has had real trials in life…so every post and every e-mail has a message. Our form of media holds a real meaning, and I hope my song can touch people in a positive way.” C2 Records’ approach to artist management and music production breaks away from the traditional methods used by most labels. By allowing their artists a broader sense of freedom in their music, as well as providing early compensation on royalties, C2 provides a rich environment for artists on the label to grow and create. 

C2 puts the artist first in many regards without placing the label’s financial needs ahead of the goal to make the artist a success. The goal is to demonstrate that the team can succeed faster if everyone drives toward the same vision and goals, as put on display by both the competition and signing of artists to the label.  

Antonio Pelayo: Finding Home in His Art

Art comes in all shapes, forms, and sizes. It is often associated with how it conveys a message and evokes emotions. Empathy is essential to art. There is no greater feeling for artists than having others feel what they are feeling through their pieces of work. Antonio Pelayo has emerged from the artists’ kingdom to showcase his talent through exceptional pieces of art figures and animations. In this modern world, the demand for these kinds of art is rapidly growing. 

Born in a comfortable home situated in an American suburb where picket fences and laughing neighbors sharing their homemade lemonades are rampant in sight, Antonio found it hard to leave the neighborhood after his father sent him back to Mexico. In Mexico, it was a village filled with all things opposite. Antonio found himself lost in the sights of old broken adobe churches while breathing the air of suburbia. For him, it was a completely different experience. Antonio had to deal with these changes for him to adapt gradually. He had to deal with bullies, the overwhelming need to speak and learn Spanish for him to be understood, and hard-to-attain tranquility.

Since it was challenging for Antonio to fill the void inside of him with companionship, he turned to embrace the beauty of solitude. Being alone in the dark and sneaking into village churches has found him a new hobby. It was the time when he found an outlet and a release for all the things he has been keeping inside, and it was the same time he spent hours sketching while loving every second of it.

Once Antonio discovered his potential, he started seeking the sterling works of different Mexican artists. Artists like Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Orozco became his friends and mentors; all rolled into one. When these relationships kept Antonio going, he took advantage of them. He decided to master everything while his social circle is growing. Antonio learned Spanish and continued igniting his passion. 

When his family decided to move back to Glendale, Antonio realized a change of heart. It was no longer the home Antonio spent years longing for. As much as Antonio wanted to relieve the feeling and excitement, it did not work for him. Antonio realized that he found a new home, not the one with four corners and a floor, but the one composed of pencils and other mediums. Antonio now considers his art as his home. It is through his art that he feels secure and not lonely, even in solace. Antonio believes in a self-made quote that says, “For the artist, solitude is the only true home.”

In 1994, Antonio joined Disney Studio’s Illustrious Ink and Paint Department. This opportunity molded him into becoming a master of animation art. Years passed, Antonio developed a longing to be noticed. He wants to share his talent with the world. Antonio no longer wants to live in solace and keep the beauty of his creations all to himself. All through these years, he learned how to let go of his selfishness. It might have taken him long to come up with such a realization, but now, Antonio is ready. 

Being the only artist to master his type of art, Antonio has set the bars high. He desires to inspire people through his pieces of art. Antonio wants these people to find a home in their art, just like he did. 

To know more about Antonio Pelayo, you may visit his official website.

Venerated Capital Group Sheds Light on the Importance of Financial Literacy

Financial literacy has become one of the most highly coveted skills across many industries in this day and age. Aside from having a shield against financial failures, being financially literate also means having the ability to equip oneself with the necessary know-how to thrive in this highly competitive world. And as someone who has spent most of his life creating a path towards freedom and success, Preston Buhrmaster made it his mission to create avenues that educate people on the value of financial literacy. For this reason, he decided to create the Venerated Capital Group (VCG).

As one of the foremost advocates of bringing people towards understanding the relationship between success and financial freedom, Preston Buhrmaster took it upon himself to achieve this noble pursuit by breaking barriers and transcending limits. Using his proficiency and years of experience, he has created an avenue where people can acquire a plethora of skills that enhance their abilities to manage wealth and deal with other financial circumstances. By taking the reins of Venerated Capital Group, he moves forward with his advocacy with a passion-driven spirit and tenacious mind.

Zealously established in 2020 by CEO and Lead Analyst Preston Buhrmaster, Venerated Capital Group is designed to motivate others to achieve financial freedom. It serves as a propeller towards achieving one’s dreams and a catapulting device for go-getters who are bent on realizing their financial goals. In other words, VCG is a firm dedicated to bringing people towards the summits of success by equipping them with the necessary know-how to achieve such goals.

Unlike other financial enterprises, Venerated Capital Group operates to provide highly accurate trading signals, market analysis, along with refreshing news updates and educational resources that help people learn the ropes behind such an intricate trade. As a matter of fact, VCG takes pride in its ability to provide full support in the overall process, as well as its various services, such as access to its private servers and personalized training resources. On top of that, the company was established with the modern trader in mind, providing online resources that can be accessed on the palm of one’s hand. Hence, those who aspire to become financially literate can do so using their mobile devices.

With the team’s sterling years of market experience, coupled with the firm’s topnotch resources, Venerated Capital Group creates the ultimate user experience for aspiring and professional traders around the world. And as the company continues to materialize its visionary purpose, Preston Buhrmaster leads VCG towards the summits of success with his side project called AveragesucksAI, which is designed to bolster trading by providing AI-powered signals. Through this, Preston hopes to see more and more individuals take an interest in the art of trading while increasing their ability to earn passive income.

Staying true to its noble mission of providing avenues for improvement, the team behind Venerated Capital Group wishes to see a world filled with individuals who see the true value of financial literacy. As Preston Buhrmaster continues to stand at the helm of VCG with a vibrant spirit, he hopes to inspire, transform lives, and catalyze change through his groundbreaking platform in the years to come.

To know more about Venerated Capital Group, you may visit its website

Vibe Body Care Ushers in the Future of Hairstyling

The idea that the youth will lead society to the future through innovations, both large and small, gains traction each day. Case in point: 19-year-old Timothy Morris has launched Vibe Body Care and ushers in the future of hairstyling. Finally, as guaranteed by the company, men can enjoy hair products that smell as good as they style.

Timothy Morris started Vibe Body Care in his garage with only one product in limited quantity: the brand’s hair pomade with only 94 items in stock. Soon after, Timothy scaled Vibe Body Care. The company now offers five products and has about 10,000 available items in stock. Fans of the brand know to look for the products’ signature blue color and cologne scent. All of Vibe Body Care’s hair care and styling solutions help men achieve a modern and clean look.

Vibe Body Care is known for its fresh-scented moisturizing shampoo. The spray clay, a unique hair styling spray that produces an all-day natural look with a strong hold, is especially popular. The market has dubbed it as the future of hairstyling. Timothy Morris had the game-changing conception to take hair clay and transform it into a spray. All of Vibe Body Care’s hairstyling products are long-lasting and formulated for performance.

For a company that started in a garage without significant funding, professional assistance, or prior experience, Vibe Body Care is already competing with large, well-established brands. Like most people his age, Timothy rejected the traditional career route of spending so much time and money for a college degree only to work in 9 to 5 shifts. Timothy wanted to be an entrepreneur and build a brand around something that truly interested him. The young entrepreneur noticed the sizable gap in scent and quality between men’s and women’s haircare solutions. For Timothy, men’s hair care did not smell as good as women’s hair care.

In addition, Timothy also realized that he needed to get ten different products from ten different brands. These realizations helped form the idea to establish Vibe Body Care—a company that can provide customers with all their hair care needs under one roof. Vibe Body Care prioritizes superior quality and amazing smell. 

Maximizing the potential of his youth, Timothy is only getting started. He has plans to develop over twenty products. To continue growing the brand at a sustainable rate, Timothy built Vibe Body Care with a long-term mindset. Timothy Morris also plans to use Vibe Body Care’s growth as a platform to educate men about hair products. Most of what they use to style their hair can be damaging. In contrast, Vibe Body Care products are healthy, vegan, and sulfate- and paraben-free.

Vibe Body Care products are currently available on the brand’s carefully designed website. Timothy has also started branching out his business to salons, barbershops, and other online retail platforms. With his long-term plan in place, it would not be long before Vibe Body Care makes its way to larger retail and grocery stores.

Visit Vibe Body Care’s website for more information.

UDooh Redefines Graphic Design With User-Friendly Interface

The business landscape is notorious for its fierce and intense cutthroat system. In an industry saturated with powerhouses and other established entities, entrepreneurial players must always be on the lookout for strategic ways to stand out and make a name for themselves. For this reason, celebrity graphic designer Dukwon “D.Cap” Jones took it upon himself to create a platform that would help businesses with exposure and visibility. As a result, he came up with UDooh, a revolutionary mobile app geared towards entrepreneurs. 

Determined to help budding proprietors and other aspiring business owners gain public consciousness, Dukwon “D.Cap” Jones stepped into the challenge of building a tool that would allow enterprises to get the recognition they deserve. As someone who understands how hard it can be to sustain a competitive advantage, he strives to make it more convenient for others to bring their professional goals to fruition. With UDooh, he intends to make millions of dreams into an ultimate reality. 

While he garners accolades for his unparalleled creative flair and remarkable vision, Dukwon “D.Cap” Jones continues to gain nods for his brainchild, UDooh. He explains that the app is specifically designed to give entrepreneurs the visibility and exposure they need to flourish and thrive. Through his creation, he has proven that business owners can boost their ventures in a hassle-free and efficient manner. 

According to Dukwon, people are living in an age where success is just a click away. True enough, technology has brought many innovative solutions to life. In fact, UDooh is one of them. 

Aside from being a mobile app that allows its users to design event flyers in minutes, UDooh also serves as an impetus for elevating businesses to greater heights. As a trustworthy and reliable digital marketing tool, it is guaranteed to be the perfect ally in expanding entrepreneurs’ horizons and widening their reach. 

Furthermore, UDooh makes it easy for entrepreneurs to accomplish their business goals with intention, ease, and creativity. As a success-generating platform, the app amplifies the importance of innovation in obtaining breakthroughs in the professional field. 

Unlike other apps on the market, UDooh allows users with no graphic design experience to create flyers that are just as competitive and aesthetically pleasing. Since Dukwon is a graphic designer himself, he knows what potential customers are looking for. 

In an interview, the UDooh app creator explained he developed UDooh with the understanding that not everyone is gifted with a creative eye. Consequently, he built an app that enables users to utilize templates instead of creating a flyer from scratch.

Before dipping his toes into the world of graphic design, Dukwon “D.Cap” Jones was known for being a recording artist. He would soon discover that music was not the only creative venture he was passionate about. Thus, the visionary honed his talent for visual arts and founded D.Cap Grfx of America, Inc. and UDooh Print. Today, he has officially hung up the mic and is geared towards bridging his music connections with his penchant for graphic design. 

To know more about UDooh, you may visit its website or follow its page on Instagram

#dukwon #dukwonjones #udooh #udoohapp #dcap #dcapgrfx #newapp #ad #tech 

Black-Owned Company ThykSkynn Aims to Amplify Peace Through Bulletproof Clothing

Cases of gun violence have been rising exponentially over the past decade, especially among the members of the black community. The human rights issue drove and inspired fashion designer Michael Allen to build ThykSkynn, a black-owned clothing brand that merges fashion and bulletproof protective gear.

ThykSkynn is the first of its kind in the country to merge intricate clothing styles with bulletproof materials. The company upholds a mission to spread peaceful protection around the world, emphasizing that a vest does not promote violence but rather raises awareness of the need for protection. The apparel brand seeks to protect the energy, mentality, spirituality, and physicality of its wearers.

ThykSkynn is the CEO’s initiative to contribute and make a difference in the lives of individuals across the country. With the number of innocent people losing their lives every day to gun violence, the founder has heard enough. Determined to give innocent people a way to protect themselves while incorporating fashionable styles peacefully, the company became a life-changing armor, readily available for anyone.

Currently located in Atlanta, GA, the brand has served many with its innovative products. Besides clothing, ThykSkynn also carries a line of bags designed to match diverse ages and personalities. 

Each ThykSkynn design is made with lightweight level IIIA kevlar material that stops anything from a 44 magnum handgun and anything below that caliber. The vests are fashion-forward, with designs carefully crafted for both men and women, and they can be worn in more ways than one. The company also offers custom-fit vests to ensure comfort and wearability for its clients. Each vest is individually hand-stitched by some of the most talented young designers in Atlanta, further generating jobs and opportunities in its community.

Asked what motivated him to create ThykSkynn, the CEO shared that he was tired of seeing innocent people of color being killed without reason. “I saw a need for a way that my people could feel like they have a second chance at life. I saw a vision of an innocent man or woman being ‘mistakenly’ shot by an officer and instead of the office being the only side of the story told, the victim would now be able to speak on their behalf in court,” said Michael. “That is my motivation,” he added.

Additionally, Michael proved his determination to set an example in the fashion industry by persevering in learning how to sew to make his vision come to life. With his creative freedom, unique style, and skills, the CEO was able to create innovative styles in show periods of time. ThykSkynn is truly reimagining what fashion can do to keep people safe and how it can challenge industry standards to go beyond style and take a more humane approach in creating apparel.

In five years, the CEO wants to reach more people across the country. “I see ThykSkynn being more than a bulletproof company but a lifestyle and a symbol that reflects true peace of the mind, body, and spirit,” said Michael. ThykSkynn is leading the industry to incorporate bulletproof materials more into fashion and shape a safer world for everyone from all walks of life.

To learn more about ThykSkynn and their game-changing clothing, visit their website.