With support from ICA Fund and JPMorganChase, founder Courtney Smith is strengthening his supply chain, creating jobs and expanding local production, and positioning the Oakland-born brand for long-term growth

When Courtney Smith founded Courtsmith in Oakland in 2014, he was building more than an athletic apparel company. A lifelong basketball enthusiast, Smith saw an opportunity to create performance wear that reflected the culture of the game—its style, community and sense of belonging.

From the beginning, Courtsmith was rooted in the idea that basketball is not just a sport, but a lifestyle and a community. The brand set out to make athletes look and feel good on and off the court while building partnerships that give athletes a stake in the products and stories they help shape.

“As Courtsmith grew, scaling wasn’t just about selling more—it was about building the infrastructure to deliver consistently, with a strong supply chain and production process,” said Courtney Smith, founder of Courtsmith. “We needed the right kind of capital and partners to help us expand without losing the Oakland authenticity that made us who we are.”

As the company grew, Smith faced a common challenge for small businesses: maintaining quality, reliability and authenticity of products while scaling—and having the resources to do so. The next move was not simply about expansion; it was about building the infrastructure to last.

That is where ICA Fund—a Bay Area impact investor, small business support organization and long-time partner to Courtsmith—came in. ICA’s relationship with Smith began in 2017 through its Growth Strategies advising program, and over time, the organization paired mentorship, technical assistance and capital to help the company grow with intention. More recently, philanthropic support from JPMorganChase helped ICA expand the range of capital products it can offer entrepreneurs like Smith, including options designed for companies that are ready to scale but may not be a fit for traditional debt products or equity investments.

“Too many great businesses stay stuck small without access to fair and flexible capital— ICA Fund’s role is to change that,” said Allison Kelly, CEO of ICA Fund. “With support from JPMorganChase, we’re able to provide founder-friendly financing alongside long-term partnership, giving entrepreneurs the tools they need to grow stronger businesses that create opportunity in their communities.”

The right kind of capital for a new stage of growth

ICA recently provided Courtsmith with a loan to help it buy a local manufacturing business, a major step toward bringing more of its production process closer to home, strengthening its supply chain, reducing costs, continuing its growth and creating local jobs.

The transaction also marked a milestone for ICA: the first time the organization approved capital for a merger-and-acquisition transaction. It reflects a broader expansion of the financing options it offers, supported by JPMorganChase’s American Dream Initiative, which aims, in part, to help power 10 million small businesses—up from seven million today—over the next several years with the capital, coaching, tools and practical policy support they need to thrive. It’s also an example of the kind of tailored support—delivered through trusted local pathways and the firm’s own relationships—that JPMorganChase provides to small businesses in the Bay Area, including our more than 295,000 small business clients.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and Courtsmith’s story shows how access to the right capital at the right time can unlock growth,” said Gwyneth Galbraith, Vice President for Global Philanthropy at JPMorganChase. “By supporting organizations like ICA Fund, we’re helping expand access to the kinds of financing and guidance entrepreneurs need to strengthen operations, create jobs and build lasting businesses across the Bay Area.”

Building with staying power

For small businesses, access to financing that fits their stage of growth can determine whether expansion is sustainable. A one-size-fits-all approach does not always work for companies with distinct cash-flow cycles, customer demand and operational needs. In Courtsmith’s case, the ICA loan gave the company a path to invest in its future while preserving the founder’s vision and control—and reflected the kind of flexible financing JPMorganChase is helping expand through its support of local community and mission-driven lenders.

Courtsmith’s trajectory reflects that momentum. The company reports that revenue grew 259% from 2021 to 2025, while its workforce expanded from four employees in 2017 to 13 in 2025, including growth in full-time roles from one to 11.

Behind those numbers is a company deepening its roots in Oakland through local partnerships, community presence and a model built to last.

“Courtsmith is about Oakland, representing the culture that raised us and creating opportunity for the next generation,” said Smith. “With ICA Fund and JPMorganChase in our corner, we can keep turning that mission into something people can see and feel in our community.”

Courtsmith’s next chapter is still being written, but the path is clearer: a founder-led brand with deeper local production capacity, a stronger supply chain, and a larger role in Oakland’s small business economy.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will open two companion exhibitions, “Revelation: A Journey into Abstraction” and “Reset: Abstraction Embodied in Design,” in The Rhimes Family Foundation Visual Arts Gallery. Together, the exhibitions explore how abstraction has shaped African American artistic expression across painting, sculpture, printmaking, furniture, textiles, and lighting. The range of media encourages audiences to consider how abstraction shapes their own environments and emotional experiences. Visit https://nmaahc.si.edu/reset and https://nmaahc.si.edu/revelation for more information.

“Abstraction has long been a powerful tool for African American artists to express memory, resistance and imagination beyond constraint,” said Shanita Brackett, acting director of NMAAHC. These exhibitions show how that language continues to evolve across canvas, clay and contemporary design.”

“Revelation” explores the profound range and depth of abstract art created by African American artists from the mid‑20th century to the present. The exhibition features 41 works by 38 artists from the museum’s permanent collection, highlighting abstraction as a language of cultural memory, protest, identity, and transformation. Organized into five thematic sections: The Natural World Refracted, The Shape of Sound, Colored Surfaces, Dreams Deferred and Transcendent Visions, the exhibition reintroduces key works and debuts new acquisitions that expand established narratives of American abstraction.

Artists represented in the exhibition include Theaster Gates, Sam Gilliam, Simone Leigh, Julie Mehretu, Gordon Parks, Howardena Pindell, Alma Thomas, and many others. A musical soundtrack curated by participating artists will play throughout the galleries.

As a companion exhibition, “Reset” shifts the focus from canvas to the body, presenting abstract design objects—chairs, rugs, and lighting—that transform everyday space into sites of reflection and renewal. The exhibition explores themes such as African diasporic influences on modern design, emotional engagement with materials, and the ways in which functional objects can offer respite, grounding, or transformation. Works by Ini Archibong, Simone Brewster, Mark Grattan, Little Wing Lee, Naudline Pierre, Michael Puryear, Peter L. Robinson Jr., Norman Teague, Jomo Tariku, Folayemi Wilson and Hadiya Williams illuminate the breadth of abstraction in contemporary art and design. Custom visitor benches designed in consultation with Cheryl R. Riley, an artist and furniture designer, provide restful spaces for reflection.

A fully illustrated catalog, “Revelation: A Journey into Abstraction,” published by Rizzoli Electa, reveals the profound range and depth of abstract art created by African American artists, from the 20th century to the present day. The companion book is now available for purchase in the NMAAHC store and online.

The “Revelation” exhibition was made possible by the Terra Foundation for American Art, NMAAHC’s Advisory Council and its Corporate Leadership Council with additional support from the Sunny Morning Fund.

About the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Since opening Sept. 24, 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has welcomed more than 13 million in-person visitors and millions more through its digital presence. Occupying a prominent location next to the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the nearly 400,000-square-foot museum is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting and showcasing the African American story and its impact on American and world history. The museum has also launched and continues to expand its reach through the Searchable Museum portal and other efforts to bring African American history into the world’s hands and homes. For more information about the museum, visit nmaahc.si.edu, follow @NMAAHC on X, Facebook, and Instagram, or call the Smithsonian Information at (202) 633-1000.

Author: Amena Brown, Copyright: c.2026, Publisher: Tiny Rep Books, SRP: $30.00, Page Count: 320 pages

Some things can really make you cross.

People telling you your business, for instance. People asking questions they have no reason to know the answers to. Folks who criticize your hair or clothes or life. These things would set anyone off; they’d be the last straw for anybody. As in the new book, “Never Tell a Black Girl How to Black Girl” by Amena Brown, some folks just cross the line.

In a way, it’s a matter of grammar.

Depending on how you say it, “Black Girl is a noun and a verb,” says Brown. A Black Girl can be a Black Girl… and she can Black Girl. Brown herself has done it “in six countries.”

Growing up in North Carolina, she Black Girled her hair her entire life. Her grandma made her sit for box braids when she was small, telling Brown that she was “tenderheaded.” Later, Brown had relaxed hair until she “went broke” and couldn’t afford the process anymore. That was when she got acquainted with her natural hair – although she returned to box braids at least once, and loved them all over again.

As the child of a strict Pentecostal mother, Brown was a “late bloomer.” She didn’t drink alcohol until she was in her twenties. She was chaste while dating and a better church girl than a party girl. After she left the church, she began experimenting with wine first, then cocktails. She learned to cook, reasoning that the path to finding love started in a kitchen, one that happened to be her grandmother’s. And yes, love did eventually come in the form of a red-headed White man who was her friend before he became her boyfriend — and before he became her mother-sanctioned, grandma-approved husband.

Overall, says Brown, there is no single right method for doing this.

“There are so many ways to Black Girl, which means the way you Black Girl is beautiful, and the way I Black Girl is beautiful too.”

Looking for a collection of addictive, can’t-read-just-one essays that’ll make you laugh but that also feel like author Amena Brown is peeking at your life? Want a book that speaks to every corner of your existence?

Yeah, then you want “Never Tell a Black Girl How to Black Girl.”

You know how it is when you spot something so profound, so right, that you just have to call your friends and read it out loud to them? That’s what you’ll find here: truth told with humor that’s also oozing with warmth. Add honesty that’s smart and bold and practically begging for a “Heck, YES!” and you’ve got your new favorite book.

The essays here are short enough to read in a few minutes, but compelling enough to make you want more, so give yourself room.

This is a book for twenty- and thirty-somethings, but also for their mothers and grandmas who can handle respectful irreverence and surefooted playfulness. Can men enjoy “Never Tell a Black Girl How to Black Girl”? Sure, but it’s more for women, cross your heart.

By Billie Pollisotto

This season’s leather fashion must-haves combine timeless appeal with modern versatility. From oversized jackets and structured handbags to sleek leather skirts and statement accessories, the latest trends focus on pieces that add texture, durability, and effortless style to everyday outfits.

A cool morning, a last-minute coffee meeting, and a closet full of clothes that somehow feel uninspiring. Then one standout leather piece changes everything. The right leather jacket, bag, or accessory can instantly elevate an outfit, which is why leather remains one of fashion’s most reliable style investments.

This season, designers are embracing fresh silhouettes, rich textures, and wearable statement pieces that bring a polished edge to both casual and professional wardrobes.

Fashion Trends: Leather Jackets

No discussion about trendy leather fashion must-haves for this season would be complete without leather jackets. A leather jacket can instantly elevate a luxury fashion outfit while remaining practical enough for everyday wear.

This season’s trends move beyond the traditional biker jacket. The following are appearing in collections across a wide range of price points:

• Oversized cuts
• Cropped silhouettes
• Shirt jackets
• Relaxed bomber styles

These updated designs make it easier for people to incorporate leather into their wardrobes without feeling locked into a single aesthetic.

Leather jackets work particularly well because they can adapt to different occasions. A structured jacket can add sophistication to office attire, while a more relaxed style complements casual weekend outfits.

Many fashion enthusiasts appreciate how easily leather jackets pair with wardrobe staples. Popular styling combinations this season include:

• Leather jackets with wide-leg jeans
• Cropped jackets paired with high-waisted skirts
• Oversized jackets layered over knit dresses
• Bomber styles worn with cargo pants
• Classic black jackets matched with monochromatic outfits
• Brown leather jackets paired with earth-tone separates

Color trends are also expanding beyond traditional black. Rich chocolate brown, deep burgundy, olive green, and warm tan shades are becoming increasingly popular among shoppers looking for something fresh while maintaining versatility.

Statement Leather Bags

Statement leather bags are becoming one of the defining accessories of the season because they offer a simple way to refresh an outfit without replacing an entire wardrobe. While clothing trends often change quickly, a distinctive leather bag can bring character and sophistication to everyday looks while remaining practical enough for regular use.

Current trends are focusing on craftsmanship and design details that make bags stand out. Features such as woven accents are helping leather bags attract attention for all the right reasons. 

Crossbody styles continue to gain popularity among shoppers who value convenience and versatility. Many people are choosing Wyoming Jack crossbody bags for their hands-free functionality and ability to complement a variety of outfits and occasions. Their compact size makes them useful for daily activities, travel, outdoor events, and weekends away from home.

Other popular options include: 

• Structured handbags
• Oversized totes
• Bucket bags
• Saddle bags
• Top handle designs

Which Leather Footwear Styles Work Best for Daily Wear?

Leather shoes remain popular, but shoppers are looking for options that suit their everyday lives.

Loafers continue to be a leading choice this season thanks to their polished appearance and ease of styling. They work equally well with tailored clothing, denim, and casual separates, making them suitable for both professional and personal settings.

Leather ankle boots also remain popular because they provide year-round wearability and pair naturally with a wide range of wardrobe staples. Ballet flats and Chelsea boots are also attracting interest because they offer a balance of comfort and sophistication that suits everyday routines.

Minimalist leather sneakers are gaining attention among those seeking comfort without sacrificing style. Their clean design creates a refined look that feels more elevated than traditional athletic footwear while remaining practical for busy days.

Comfort has become a major factor influencing footwear trends. Consumers are increasingly looking for shoes with supportive construction, flexible materials, and quality craftsmanship that can withstand frequent wear.

As a result, well-made leather footwear is often viewed as a wardrobe essential rather than a seasonal purchase.

Timeless Styles While Traveling

Travel often requires clothing that can adapt to different settings, temperatures, and activities without sacrificing style. Leather remains a popular choice because it offers a refined appearance while standing up to the demands of frequent movement.

One of the biggest travel fashion trends this season is versatility. Travelers are looking for pieces that can transition from daytime exploration to evening plans with minimal effort.

Leather garments fit naturally into this approach because they bring structure and sophistication to even the simplest outfits.

Another growing trend involves reducing wardrobe clutter while away from home. Instead of packing separate outfits for every activity, many travelers are selecting a smaller collection of high-quality pieces that can be mixed and matched throughout a trip. Leather’s timeless appeal makes it particularly useful in this type of streamlined wardrobe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Seasonal Outfits Work Best With Leather Pieces?

During spring, leather jackets pair well with floral dresses, lightweight knit tops, straight-leg jeans, and loafers. Summer outfits often incorporate smaller leather elements such as:

• Sandals
• Belts
• Handbags
• Lightweight skirts
• Smartphone cases
• Thin leather bracelets

In the fall, leather shines when layered with sweaters, scarves, ankle boots, and tailored trousers. Winter outfits frequently feature leather coats, knee-high boots, gloves, and structured bags that complement heavier fabrics like wool and cashmere.

What Should First-Time Buyers Know Before Investing in Leather Fashion?

First-time buyers should focus on quality, versatility, and craftsmanship rather than chasing short-lived trends. Investing in a few well-made leather pieces often provides better value than purchasing several lower-quality items that may wear out quickly.

Before buying, examine the stitching, hardware, lining, and overall construction. Neutral colors such as black, brown, tan, and cognac tend to offer the most styling flexibility, making them easier to pair with existing clothing. It is also important to choose wardrobe essentials that match your lifestyle.

Which Leather Trends Work Best for Capsule Wardrobes?

The best leather trends for capsule wardrobes are versatile, timeless pieces that can be styled in multiple ways throughout the year. Rather than focusing on highly seasonal designs, many people choose classic leather items that work with both casual and professional outfits.

Choose Your Leather Fashion Options Today

It’s not tricky to work leather fashion into your wardrobe. The right bag, shoes, or jackets can completely transform your everyday look.

Are you searching for more fashion advice? Scroll through some of our other useful articles.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will open two companion exhibitions, “Revelation: A Journey into Abstraction” and “Reset: Abstraction Embodied in Design,” in The Rhimes Family Foundation Visual Arts Gallery. Together, the exhibitions explore how abstraction has shaped African American artistic expression across painting, sculpture, printmaking, furniture, textiles, and lighting. The range of media encourages audiences to consider how abstraction shapes their own environments and emotional experiences. Visit https://nmaahc.si.edu/reset and https://nmaahc.si.edu/revelation for more information.

“Abstraction has long been a powerful tool for African American artists to express memory, resistance and imagination beyond constraint,” said Shanita Brackett, acting director of NMAAHC. These exhibitions show how that language continues to evolve across canvas, clay and contemporary design.”

“Revelation” explores the profound range and depth of abstract art created by African American artists from the mid‑20th century to the present. The exhibition features 41 works by 38 artists from the museum’s permanent collection, highlighting abstraction as a language of cultural memory, protest, identity, and transformation. Organized into five thematic sections: The Natural World Refracted, The Shape of Sound, Colored Surfaces, Dreams Deferred and Transcendent Visions, the exhibition reintroduces key works and debuts new acquisitions that expand established narratives of American abstraction.

Artists represented in the exhibition include Theaster Gates, Sam Gilliam, Simone Leigh, Julie Mehretu, Gordon Parks, Howardena Pindell, Alma Thomas, and many others. A musical soundtrack curated by participating artists will play throughout the galleries.

As a companion exhibition, “Reset” shifts the focus from canvas to the body, presenting abstract design objects—chairs, rugs, and lighting—that transform everyday space into sites of reflection and renewal. The exhibition explores themes such as African diasporic influences on modern design, emotional engagement with materials, and the ways in which functional objects can offer respite, grounding, or transformation. Works by Ini Archibong, Simone Brewster, Mark Grattan, Little Wing Lee, Naudline Pierre, Michael Puryear, Peter L. Robinson Jr., Norman Teague, Jomo Tariku, Folayemi Wilson and Hadiya Williams illuminate the breadth of abstraction in contemporary art and design. Custom visitor benches designed in consultation with Cheryl R. Riley, an artist and furniture designer, provide restful spaces for reflection.

A fully illustrated catalog, “Revelation: A Journey into Abstraction,” published by Rizzoli Electa, reveals the profound range and depth of abstract art created by African American artists, from the 20th century to the present day. The companion book is now available for purchase in the NMAAHC store and online.

The “Revelation” exhibition was made possible by the Terra Foundation for American Art, NMAAHC’s Advisory Council and its Corporate Leadership Council with additional support from the Sunny Morning Fund.

About the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Since opening Sept. 24, 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has welcomed more than 13 million in-person visitors and millions more through its digital presence. Occupying a prominent location next to the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the nearly 400,000-square-foot museum is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting and showcasing the African American story and its impact on American and world history. The museum has also launched and continues to expand its reach through the Searchable Museum portal and other efforts to bring African American history into the world’s hands and homes. For more information about the museum, visit nmaahc.si.edu, follow @NMAAHC on X, Facebook, and Instagram, or call the Smithsonian Information at (202) 633-1000.

Source

Rob McManus

Posting online without a good plan and ignoring your brand’s identity are some of the mistakes you shouldn’t be making during clothing brand marketing. If you focus on gaining more followers without engaging them, you won’t make good sales. Have a good strategy to be more visible.

According to UniformMarket, apparel consumption worldwide will increase by 63% from 2025 to 2030. Come up with a good plan to take advantage of the demand for your products after you start a clothing line.

Some designers create very interesting and appealing clothes, but don’t make the most out of their work.

What Is the Best Marketing Strategy for a Clothing Brand?

It depends. Ensure the fashion brand strategy you use matches your goals, and doesn’t go beyond your budget.

With a billboard placed on a busy highway in the middle of Washington, you’ll be able to catch the attention of many people. It can be a good idea to have a billboard when launching your company or a new line.

Social media marketing pays off really well. You have to be consistent, even when you feel like giving up. Influencers also help you make more sales once you find the right one. Show some behind-the-scenes photos when marketing. It allows people to realize the work and quality you put into your designs.

Make buyers feel like part of your journey. You can show them the messy sketches you drew before coming up with the final one. By testing several marketing methods and knowing who you’re marketing to, you’ll make your brand more visible.

You should be collecting emails since social media algorithms keep changing. Your clothing business plan will work well if you have a reliable way of keeping in touch with your customers.

What Are Some Good Marketing Questions to Ask?

Who am I trying to sell to when creating these clothes? Will my website help customers shop easily? It’s good to figure out who your customers will be.

Creating a marketing message that just speaks to everyone makes your company feel like just any other brand. Know why someone should choose your clothes when there are thousands of designers out there. It helps to answer these:

• How much can I afford to spend on marketing?
• Which social apps do buyers use daily?
• Do buyers actually enjoy the content I create?

You might feel worried once you realize how much information you need to have. Surveys and polls done on your social media page are good for gathering data.

Avoiding Common Clothing Brand Marketing Mistakes

Your friends and coworkers probably feel amazed by your talent when they see the clothes you design. Without a good plan, you end up affecting your visibility. The best fashion marketing tips should help you avoid mistakes.

Just Posting Content Without a Good Plan

Some independent designers just take a photo during events or when they’re finally done creating something. Posting without a plan makes people lose interest in your content. Avoid these things:

• Boring captions that don’t make people stop to read
• Posting blurry photos
• Not responding to the comments

Fans might be looking forward to your next design. Don’t disappoint them by just posting randomly. Being consistent keeps people on your page and makes your marketing efforts pay off.

A Confusing Brand Identity

Anytime someone hears about your brand, the message they get shouldn’t be the complete opposite of what they know you for. Random changes make customers unsure of what to expect from you. You can create a strong brand if you:

• Use the same font all across your content
• Ensure the messages you post on all your sites align
• Stick to one tone

Consistent messaging is what you should focus on if you feel like people keep forgetting about your company. Ensure your brand has a personality that they can easily recognize.

Doing All the Marketing Work by Yourself

You’ll save money if you do streetwear brand marketing without hiring someone else. Ask yourself if the work is sustainable for you in the long run. Being creative when marketing, as you also design clothes, can be overwhelming.

Branding experts know the do’s and don’ts clothing brand marketing offers. They might detect a mistake you’ve been making in just a few minutes after learning about your work. Hiring pros makes it easier to focus on actually creating clothes while they help you sell them out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Should I Release New Clothing?

It depends. Listen to your fans and ask people to give you their feedback. Some brands drop new things every month. Regular launches keep people excited and boost engagement.

Your retention rates will be better if you focus more on designing clothes people will look forward to wearing than just having a broad range of low-quality designs.

Can Streetwear Brands Grow Without Celebrity Support?

Yes. Once you get support from your community, your designs will be all over town. Endorsements from famous people might be something you’re looking forward to.

Focus on sharing your creativity. Educating people about why you created a specific design the way you did helps. You thrive if customers naturally feel excited to wear your designs. Worrying too much about what the celebrities in your area are now wearing sometimes limits creativity.

Will I Need a Professional Photographer to Market My Clothes?

Not always. Use a phone with a great camera and ensure you master the settings to have the best-looking photos. Taking pictures in natural light makes them look more realistic.

Customers often feel disappointed when the product they get doesn’t look like the one they saw in an ad before buying. By hiring pros once in a while, the fabric will look luxurious. The experts know how to direct the model when taking photos.

Mastering Clothing Brand Marketing

Even if you don’t have a whole team to help you with clothing brand marketing, you can still stand out amongst bigger companies. Be consistent with the message you send to your customers.

It’s confusing for buyers to feel like they’re interacting with different companies every time they shop. Ask pros for guidance and let them handle marketing tasks. Proper branding will give you great returns in the long run.

Read more business growth tips on our page.