Dr. D’Wayne Edwards

Dr. D’Wayne Edwards launched his remarkable career as an entry-level footwear designer for LA Gear at just 19 years old in 1989, defying the odds with his talent and vision despite the absence of a formal education. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming an accomplished designer and a respected leader in the education realm is a testament to his creativity and determination.

Today, he serves as the president of PLC Detroit, the only design-focused HBCU and the first HBCU to reopen— spearheading the reopening of Lewis College of Business as PLC Detroit is one of his most impactful achievements, to date. PLC Detroit was recognized by Fast Company as one of the world’s most innovative design companies in 2022.

Over the past three decades, he has amassed an impressive array of accolades, including the Fashion Maverick Award at the 2025 American Apparel & Footwear Association American Image Awards, the Red Dot Award, the three-time Mercedes-Benz Fashion Award, recognition as one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business, and Business Insider’s 100 People Transforming Business, as well as being awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award by President Barack Obama.

Edwards boasts an extensive portfolio, having designed over 50 patented products and 500 footwear styles for iconic musicians such as Tupac, Notorious B.I.G, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Nas. His designs have been worn by athletes competing in six different Olympic Games and have graced the stadiums of all major professional sports leagues, adorning the feet of greats like Derek Jeter, Carmelo Anthony, and Michael Jordan.

He has taught and lectured at prestigious institutions around the world, including ArtCenter in Pasadena, Parsons in New York, MIT in Boston, Kolding Design School in Denmark, and Harvard University. In 2019, ArtCenter College of Design honored him with an Honorary Doctorate degree, joining an exclusive group of four recipients in the school’s 90-year history.

In 2010, Edwards established PENSOLE, the first academy in the United States dedicated solely to footwear design, located in Portland, Oregon. PENSOLE has quickly become the preeminent footwear design school, securing partnerships with the industry’s top brands and retailers. The school has placed over 800 of its alumni in positions at leading brands, including Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Brooks, Vans, Puma, Timberland, The North Face, JORDAN, and Zenga, among others.

Recognized for his efforts to advance equity in design, Edwards organized the national Black Footwear Forum (BFF), successfully connecting over 700 Black and Brown designers and attracting notable industry figures such as two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter. His efforts in this regard have earned him prestigious awards, including the Footwear News Icon award, IDSA Special Achievement Award, and Footwear Plus Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also been recognized as one of the Most Influential People in the Sneaker Industry by COMPLEX and included in the Business of Fashion 500 global innovators list.

His personal career aspiration of establishing the first Black-owned footwear factory in the United States was realized with the launch of JEMS, a platform that provides young, aspiring Black designers the opportunity to create and establish their own brands. 

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. D’Wayne Edwards has consistently paved the way for young Black and Brown designers, making strides to improve the design industry one step at a time. His mission is to leave the industry better than he found it and to make the conversation around diversity a non-issue.