WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — With some help from family and famous friends like LL Cool J, Chris Latimer is in business for the rebirth of African American College Alliance designs.
Latimer is the brainchild behind an apparel brand celebrating historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), which is in production after exceeding its $100,000 Kickstarter campaign goal. Latimer received pledges from 734 backers totaling $108, 273.
“‘I was really blown away because $60,000 of our goal came in the last six days,” he says.
Some high profile backers of the crowdsourcing campaign included rapper and actor LL Cool J, who pledged $15,000, and Daymond John of the Shark Tank television series and on-air personality Charlamagne, who each pledged $5,000. “The thing that hit home with me was how much family, friends and HBCU alumni helped us reach our goal,” says Latimer.
The AACA line was made popular in the 1990s by hip hop and R&B singers, including Will Smith, Russell Simmons and Mary J. Blige. The clothing highlights HBCUs and features schools' logos and colors. The sportswear line includes tops, hoodies, sweatsuits and hats. The most high profile placement was LL Cool J wearing a Florida A&M hoodie while performing at the White House. “The explosion will be even bigger now with social media,” says Latimer.
Anthony Anderson of the hit series Blackish posted a picture on Instagram wearing one of the AACA signature hoodies.
“I’ve done this before and created an excitement about HBCU’s across the country,” says Latimer. Jada Pickett Smith the star of the television series A Different World set on a fictional HBCU campus, championed the brand. The brand also appeared on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Def Comedy Jam.
Latimer says even though the brand is a retro version, he sees growth with the new generation of hip hop. “We dressed Will Smith, Queen Latifah and LL Cool J,” he says. “We don’t think there’s a difference now dressing Drake, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar and Future.”
Latimer plans to have the apparel online and in retail stores in time for back to school shopping.
Follow Karen Roberts on Twitter: @krhudsonvalley
