In addition to providing a better life for my wife and my children, I would say I’m most proud of being able to succeed for a strong mother who instilled in me the importance of believing in myself if I wanted to accomplish anything. Besides life, she gave me the most precious thing I own, which is a card with a poem about believing in yourself, and for the last 19 years that card has been in my pocket as a reminder of the power of faith.
D’Wayne Edwards is a veteran shoe designer. For 11 years, he designed shoes for Nike. In 2010, Edwards opened the doors of PENSOLE School of Footwear Design, providing the industry with a direct link to aspiring designers. Armed with over two decades of experience, he has designed shoes for premiere teams and athletes, such as Olympic teams and Michael Jordan.
By age 19, Edwards was the youngest and one of the few African American footwear designers in the industry. He quickly became Head Designer for L.A. Gear and later Brand Manager/Head Designer for Karl Kani Footwear. At age 28, he launched his own brand, SITY by Skechers. At age 30, he became one of the youngest Design Directors in Nike’s history.
"I have three quotes that have defined my career. 'Actions speak louder than words,' by my mother, Delories Kelly. 'To hell with circumstances, I create opportunities," by Bruce Lee. Lastly, 'It always seems impossible until it's done,' by Nelson Mandela", says Edwards.
