Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, Founder of Pensole Lewis College, to Receive T. Kenyon Holly Award

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (April 5, 2023) ― Two Ten Footwear Foundation today announced that Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, founder and president of the Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design (PLC), Detroit’s only Historically Black College, will be the 2023 recipient of Two Ten’s T. Kenyon Holly Award for humanitarian achievement.

“The T. Kenyon Holly Award is unique because it recognizes someone from the footwear community who is changing lives.” said Shawn Osborne, president and CEO of Two Ten Footwear Foundation. “That’s exactly what D’Wayne does. His work has profound social impact. He inspires us not because of his many career achievements and business accomplishments, but because he is doing something extraordinary providing pathways for underrepresented students to find opportunity in footwear. That not only enriches our industry but opens up a world of possibilities for a whole new generation of diverse talent.”

“Thank you, Two Ten for recognizing me for the T. Kenyon Holly Award. Your mission for support, impact, equity and inclusion for our industry aligns with our vision at Pensole Lewis College. As the first African American to receive this award, it is truly humbling that my life’s work for the last three decades of simply trying to leave the world better than when I entered it is being recognized. My early career focus was to design the future of footwear for this industry. I never imagined my real contribution would be designing the lives for the future of our industry,” said Edwards.

In addition to his many accolades and achievements in the world of footwear design, Dr. Edwards continues to make the necessary strides around inclusivity and diversity in the design space. Adding to his distinguished resume, Dr. Edwards is actualizing his vision for education.  As the President of Pensole Lewis College, Dr. Edwards is merging his expertise in design with his devotion to equitable access through education.

Two Ten created the T. Kenyon Award in 1949 to honor the late T. Kenyon Holly, a past president of Two Ten Footwear Foundation. The award is given to someone from the footwear industry who is making an important contribution to society through philanthropy, charitable service, social enterprise, or social activism.

Edwards will be receiving the 2023 T. Kenyon Holly award at the Two Ten Annual Gala in New York City on June 6, 2023. The Two Ten Annual Gala is a highlight of FFANY Market Week and welcomes all members of the footwear community.

Contact development@twoten.org for more information about tickets or sponsorship.

About Two Ten

Two Ten Footwear Foundation is an independent charitable organization serving the American footwear community. We provide emergency financial assistance in times of disaster, crisis or hardship; free and confidential access to financial, legal, or mental health counseling at any time; referrals to additional local resources; educational grants for upskilling and professional development; and scholarships to make college more affordable for industry employees and their children. Two Ten brings people in footwear together to support each other, promoting a culture of inclusivity and building a more resilient industry workforce. We are the only charitable foundation in the U.S. with this unique mission. Since our founding in the 1930s we’ve brought hope and opportunity to generations of footwear families. Learn more at twoten.org

About Pensole Lewis

Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design (PLC) is the nation’s first-ever reinstated Historically Black College/University. Under the direction of Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, who is also the founder of PENSOLE Design Academy, PLC is the pipeline HBCU for career education and professional development in the product creation industry. We are the industry’s creative NorthStar, dedicated to lighting the way forward to a better future. The vision of PENSOLE Academy and the legacy of Lewis College of Business is now one. In May of 2022, Pensole Lewis College began offering programs across design, sustainability, business, STEM, and more, serving young Black creatives across industries. For more information, please visit www.pensolelewiscollege.com.