Gucci announced the third round of recipients for its Gucci North America Changemakers Impact Fund and Scholars Program. More than 200 organizations and 400 students applied to the program with 12 non-profits and 12 students awarded with funding.
Launched in 2019, the Gucci North America Changemakers program awards annual Impact grants to support community organizations focused on increasing inclusion and diversity across communities and within the fashion industry. In addition, the program awards scholarships of up to $20,000 dollars and provides mentorship and virtual internship opportunities through Gucci America.
To date, Gucci has awarded over 50 students with almost $1 million dollars in scholarships as well as over 40 non-profit organizations with almost $2 million dollars in grants. The Changemakers community continues to grow, offering students the opportunity to pursue their unique path within the design and fashion industries and allowing non-profit organizations to make grassroots impact within their communities.
It has been an honor leading Gucci Changemakers North America as we continue to set the industry standard for impactful and creative community focused initiatives. These talented young people and non-profit organizations inspire the Gucci community every single day to dream bigger than ever before. Through this work, we are focused not only on amplifying their stories of impact, but inspiring lasting change through the power of arts and culture.
– Antoine Phillips, Vice President of Brand and Culture Engagement at Gucci America
Following the open call for applications at Crenshaw High School in November 2021, Gucci worked diligently with the North America Changemakers Council and outside experts to review all application to select the grantees and scholars. Gucci focuses funding within 12 focus cities across North America including Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington D.C. Gucci North America Changemakers is pleased to present this year’s recipients.
GUCCI NORTH AMERICA SCHOLARSHIP
The 12 scholarship recipients come from diverse backgrounds and are pursuing various careers within fashion and design at undergraduate colleges and universities. They will each receive an academic scholarship for up to $20,000 in addition to mentorship and virtual internship opportunities through Gucci America.
The 12 talented and deserving recipients of this year’s 2022 Gucci North America Changemakers Scholarship program
- Antonio Finamore-Phillips, Otis College
- Cassius Palacio, University of Southern California
- Dekaye Hailu, University of California, Los Angeles
- Doreen Pierre, Parsons School of Design
- Dorothy Pallanes, Drexel University
- Exodus Broussard, Loyola Marymount University
- Jalynn McDuffey, Florida A&M University
- Madison Grant, Xavier University of Louisiana
- Mahlon West, Howard University
- Miles Richards, College of Creative Studies
- Nathan Batra, The Savannah College of Art and Design
- Theodora Etokimo, Toronto Metropolitan University
In addition, Gucci Changemakers will provide the third year of scholarship funding to the 2019 Gucci Changemakers X CFDA Scholar by Design Awardees:
- Ajai Kasim, Parsons School of Design
- Kaya Ugorji, Fashion Institute of Technology
As part of the Changemakers Program, Gucci offers mentorship opportunities. This year, all awardees will have the opportunity to participate in the Gucci Program for Scholars, a 6-week long virtual summer program that helps to educate students on the various career paths available within the fashion industry. The program includes fashion industry education, engagement with all departments across Gucci North America, Gucci corporate mentor assignment and skill building workshops.
As a focus city for the Gucci North America Changemakers program, Gucci has created a deep connection with Detroit and its pervasive culture and community. In honor of the brand’s new location in Downtown Detroit and in partnership with 2020 Changemakers grantee Design Core, Gucci is honored to spotlight the talented and creative Changemakers scholars and Design Core designers with a multi-media exhibition at MOCAD in early September.
The next round of applications for both the Gucci North America Changemakers Impact Fund and Scholarship Program will open in Fall 2022.
