If you don’t have a fashion sense when you step onto an HBCU campus, after being there a few days, you’ll at least start trying. Utilizing fashion as a form of expression and to make cultural statements, is something HBCU students take very seriously. Though not as serious, it is as innate as fighting for one’s rights. Whether rocking Sunday’s best or relaxing in ready to wear or school gear, having a well-executed ‘fit’ is something students take pride in. Knowing this about HBCU culture, and having attended an HBCU that is no stranger to bold fashion statements, Florida A&M University alumnus and entrepreneur David Castro took this into consideration when designing his latest collection of his headwear brand, Dungeon Forward. Dungeon Forward’s limited edition “The Yard Capsule” celebrates so many of the HBCUs we know and love.
As CEO, Castro has built a brand that shakes up the headwear industry, offering colorful designs and messages of empowerment on fitted hats, beanies, and more. When Castro envisioned The Yard Capsule collection, he knew he wanted to create something special that put a twist on his design blueprint. He sought to create a headwear collection that, when worn, would create a sense of pride that mirrored how students, alumni, and staff feel representing these institutions. “HBCUs cultivate cultural and personal pride in a country where the opposite intent is etched in history,” said Castro. “We imagine the collection enhancing the sense of pride for these institutions. In addition, we want to encourage people to be fans of HBCUs like they are fans of the universities that garner the most televised attention.”
The entrepreneur began small by acquiring the licensing rights from his alma mater. Fast forward to now, and Dungeon Forward has received rights for over 25 HBCUs. However, that’s not the end goal. In the future, Dungeon Forward wants to partner with student ambassadors at each of the featured campuses to engage them in the conversations that will move the culture forward.
The list of HBCUs featured in the collection includes:
Alabama A&M University
Alabama State
Albany State University
Alcorn State University
Bethune-Cookman University
Clark Atlanta University
Fayetteville State University
Florida A&M University
Grambling State University
Hampton University
Howard University
Jackson State University
Lincoln University
Morehouse College
Morgan State University
Norfolk State University
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
North Carolina Central University
Prairie View A&M University
Savannah State University
Southern University of Baton Rouge
Tennessee State University
Texas Southern University
Tuskegee University
Virginia State University
West Virginia State University
Winston Salem State University
Shop the collection at Dungeon Forward today.
