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Rising Stars: Meet Femi Awesu of Chicago

Today we’d like to introduce you to Femi Awesu.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Cheverly, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C.—part of what’s known as the DMV. I began my journey in the fashion world as a model, learning the industry from the inside.

After being laid off from my job, I made the decision to fully step into my creative path. That moment became a turning point—leading me to begin hosting fashion shows as a way to create something of my own.

Through that, I found a powerful outlet for expression and built a platform in Chicago that highlights and uplifts Black and Brown designers, models, and artists.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been easy—there have been real growing pains. Navigating my personal life while building the business and managing the financial weight has been challenging. But that’s the nature of building something meaningful, and I’ve learned to grow through it.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a Creative Director specializing in bringing visuals to life. My most recognized work is the fashion experience The BLCK Solstice—a platform that merges fashion, art, and culture into something immersive and intentional.

What sets me apart is my mindset and my commitment to always elevating. I understand that growth comes through lessons, and I approach every challenge as an opportunity to evolve.

I see the world differently—I’m a dreamer. And I truly believe I was born to do this.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Honestly, my entire team deserves the credit. They’ve supported my vision—even when it felt crazy—and they’ve kept me grounded through it all.

I also want to give love to V., who supported me through the foundation stages of building this platform. I’ll always appreciate the encouragement and grounding she provided during that time.

And the way the community has embraced both the platform and me—that’s something I don’t take lightly.

Shoutout to D’nia, Tasha, Tevin, Marcus, Maya, Mary, Kristen, Brittany, Ameerah, Doulie, Lauren, Indie, AJ, KRod, Ryan, and Eddie. Every single one of them has played a role in making this what it is. This isn’t just me—this is all of us.

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