Dr. D'Wayne Edwards

Dr. D'Wayne Edwards, Founder, Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design

Recipient of the 2023 T. Kenyon Holly Memorial Award

Dr. D'Wayne Edwards is the most prominent Black designer in the footwear industry. His storied career has spanned more than three decades and included leading roles at brands from L.A. Gear to Nike and Jordan. At age 17 he won a Reebok design competition and at age 23 became the youngest professional footwear designer in the industry. Dr. Edwards is credited with paving the way for young Black design talent to have a career in the sneaker industry. He is the founder of the first design-focused HBCU, the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design.