Today we’d like to introduce you to Malcolm Clay-Arnold.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Malcolm. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
So, my company started originally to bring awareness to issues relating to the experiences of black and brown people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields as I hold my Bachelors in Biology. I had an idea for a Black STEM related tee since black and brown people are underrepresented in many scientific spaces. One day I sketched it up, found a graphic designer the next day and by the end of the week I had my design. It was a melanin tee with a bunch of DNA related things underneath the word. A few people got all the scientific stuff lol, but I had a few people who really just loved the melanin logo, so I tried just the logo option and it took off and is what I sell currently. After sitting back and looking at the tee I decided to make the brand more about creating apparel and things that highlight the perspectives and lived experiences of black and brown people from all walks of life including women’s issues, LGBTQ+, Race issues, etc.
As someone navigating the world as an individual who is black but also part of the LGBTQ+ community it’s important to me to give voice to some of the things we face outside but even within our own communities. I hope to create pieces that spark conversation and cause individuals to either challenge, have a more informed, or a completely shifted perspective/opinion on varied topics. The line is all about providing a platform for marginalized voices to be able to feel seen, heard and celebrated. Today I am currently working on my next design which has to do with black women’s agency over their bodies, the way they chose to display them, who has access to them, and their right to explore/express their sexuality freely.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a struggle but I come from a STEM back ground so while I am great at the technical aspects of things like creating the product/specifications and I am creative I struggle with understanding how to market my product at this point. Marketing and Branding is something I am still working on learning more about so that I can really push the brand, help to develop its story/identity and increase its reach. One of my biggest struggles to this day is still perfectionism I’ve gotten better at just putting things out into the world but I can’t say I have not struggled with wanting things to be perfect which has often kept me from getting started or picking something apart over and over.
Perspectives Of Color – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Perspectives of color or @Pocapparel on Instagram is an apparel and accessories line that creates products that celebrate, empower, and highlight the lived experience of black and brown people. I am most proud of the fact that I am able to create a product that may have a message or visual that makes someone feel seen, heard and worthy despite some of the challenges people of color face on a daily. If my product brings a smile to someone’s face, if it changes someone who may be a part of some of the problems marginalized people faces outlook, or just simply creates a dialogue around sensitive subjects in and outside of communities of color I am pleased and my product served its purpose. What sets my line apart from others is probably the fact that I am speaking up and choosing to bring light to the issues that affect black and brown people especially individuals in the LQBTQ+ community.
There are so many black/brown brands that champion blackness but some of them have support that is conditional and its reflected in some of their products or lack there of with regard to certain communities. There areas still many issues in black and brown communities around sexual orientation, gender, women’s rights, trans generational traumas, toxic/mysoginiatic thought patterns and more that go unaddressed that keep some of these harmful things circulating in our communities. My brand is about championing all black and brown people and giving voice to their experiences no matter their orientation, gender, socioeconomic status, etc..
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t really believe luck has played a role in my business. I really believe that god has placed me where I need to be, and I’ve always had the ability to be where I want to be I just had to stop second guessing myself. I do have some cool connections including a couple friends who have reached out to me to be featured on a large fashion magazines platform so that’s lucky I guess to have friends in high places and the visibility that I possibly stand to gain from having said connections which I am extremely grateful for.
Pricing:
- Tees- $30
Contact Info:
- Website: www.perspectivesofcolor.com
- Email: pocapparelcs@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/pocapparel
Image Credit:
Ron White, Malcolm Clay-Arnold
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