Sole Classics is a sneaker shop in downtown Columbus, and one of the few black-owned businesses in the Short North. After the store was looted and vandalized, owner Dionte' Johnson's initial reaction was anger and disbelief. "Why me?" he thought. "Why my business?" But amongst the broken windows and empty shelves, he says, something else emerged. Self-reflection. Empathy. Love.
Dionte' saw this moment as an opportunity to listen to those who feel unheard. A chance to recognize the community's pain. A chance to build bridges instead of walls. Spray-painted in large letters on his boarded up store windows is a powerful message: Don’t lock your doors tighter. Open your hearts wider. Our tee is a tribute to his words and his message.
100% of profits from the sale of this tee will benefit the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit legal organization focused on fighting for racial justice.
Click here to read Dionte’s story in his own words.
Dionte' saw this moment as an opportunity to listen to those who feel unheard. A chance to recognize the community's pain. A chance to build bridges instead of walls. Spray-painted in large letters on his boarded up store windows is a powerful message: Don’t lock your doors tighter. Open your hearts wider. Our tee is a tribute to his words and his message.
100% of profits from the sale of this tee will benefit the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit legal organization focused on fighting for racial justice.
Click here to read Dionte’s story in his own words.
