Inside the 2026 Black Footwear Forum: Community, Commerce and Conversations with Colin Kaepernick and Industry Leaders

Colin Kaepernick appeared with Jemele Hill for the first stop on his book tour for The Perilous Fight. He framed his memoir and public story as tools to build community and spur change. Reflecting on the aftermath of his 2016 protest, Kaepernick said careers should not be forfeited for speaking out and raised the real dilemma young athletes face when they want to pursue sport while advocating for their communities. He also said he remains open to returning to the NFL.

James Whitner, founder of The Whitaker Group, described a retail strategy centered on human experiences rather than purely product. He told attendees that connection and the local human experience now matter more than product alone. Whitner outlined tactics such as food, hospitality and frequent events to create ecosystems where people want to gather.

Dominique Debnam of Jordan Brand credited Whitner with teaching brands how to show up authentically in communities where retailers were previously absent. She noted that placing beautiful, thoughtfully curated retail spaces in those neighborhoods exposes consumers to new ideas while meeting them where they are.

Brands' charitable and civic commitments

Ricardo Lajoie of Vans cautioned brands against confusing activation with true investment. He urged the industry to move past limited engagements and instead create opportunities that lead to ownership and agency within communities.

April Walker, founder of Walker Wear, discussed ownership in fashion and previewed an upcoming book tied to her 40th year as an entrepreneur. She raised a direct question about why no Black fashion brand has reached the $100 million-plus valuation threshold, attributing the shortfall to a need for structural support and investment.

The Forum's student and educational angle

Hosting the event at Pensole Lewis College connected students to industry leaders and provided a platform for questions about careers, business models and community engagement. Panels combined practical retail lessons with conversations about cultural responsibility and pathways to ownership.

What this means for footwear and fashion

The 2026 Black Footwear Forum positioned community investment, ownership and authentic local engagement as the priorities driving the next phase of footwear and fashion business strategies. High-profile conversations—most notably Colin Kaepernick's appearance—brought activism and storytelling into the same space as retail strategy and corporate philanthropy, reinforcing the Forum's Rooted in CommUnity theme.