HBCU Streetwear Clothing Brand Lands in Major Retailers

When Ashley Jones, a graduate of Norfolk Condition College (NSU), initial launched Tones of Melanin in 2017, she had the purpose of filling a gap in the vogue marketplace and on HBCU (historically Black colleges and universities) campuses. 

When she went to the bookstore at NSU, she did not sense like any of the paraphernalia represented her type. With that in thoughts, she set out to develop an HBCU-centered streetwear brand name that featured her alma mater and all Black institutions, like the Greek-letter fraternities and sororities regarded as the Divine 9. 

Tones of Melanin offers licensed HBCU apparel like jerseys, hats, shorts, T-shirts, joggers, hoodies and sweatshirts in stylish, one-of-a-variety designs. Price ranges variety from $20 to $100. 

Jones said in months of launching, the idea proved to be fruitful as main suppliers started to call. Currently, Tones of Melanin products can be uncovered at Fanatics, Belk, Dick’s Sporting Products and 18 HBCU bookstores.

“Tones of Melanin’s goal is to retain infiltrating a collegiate vogue market place that concentrates on your a great deal larger sized establishments, these as Duke, Harvard, Yale and other folks,” Jones said. 

There’s also a philanthropic angle to the outfits brand, she added. Tones of Melanin aims to present profession options for HBCU students and graduates even though also staying philanthropic.

Jones claimed to date, they have donated more than $50,000 to HBCU triggers. 

“Tones of Melanin is much more than just a T-shirt or hoodie,” she mentioned. “We’re fully commited to preserving HBCUs open. By means of attire advertising and marketing, we’re helping HBCUs further their marketing and we’re executing it in model. Providing you superior-top quality, certified HBCU apparel at an inexpensive cost is our mission.”