Pensole Lewis College, the first U.S. academy dedicated to footwear design, offers mainstream brands access to untapped diverse talent. Their recent collaboration with Designer Brands and DSW led to the opening of JEMS, the first Black-owned footwear factory in the United States. This partnership not only showcases the creativity of Black designers but also provides exclusive, innovative products for DSW stores, demonstrating the immense value of supporting institutions that promote diversity and inclusion in the design industry.