Self Expression Through Fashion to Facilitate Social Change
Self-expression is vital to living. It is how we interact with others and the world. To you, this phrase might represent life satisfaction, public declaration or an aspiration to liberty. To us, it means the ability for individuals in society to express feelings and emotions creatively and freely—through fashion—in hopes of creating a more positive environment in which we live.
It is this core belief that became the backbone for the entrepreneurial pursuit known as Royal Dynamite that focuses on community empowerment to create social change, with a touch of style.
In 2009, Sierra Leonean Cecil Williams began collecting uniquely designed t-shirts from a few internet based companies as a way to artistically display his sense of fashion.
As Williams’ collection grew, so did the empowerment that came as a result of having the freedom to express himself through his wardrobe.
Inspired, he connected with his friend Raphael Saye. Together, they started their own t-shirt line—Royal Dynamite—that centered on creating a platform where community-based artists and designers could showcase their creativity and talents. (The word royal implies of high importance while dynamite means powerful and explosive.)
The community-centric company has incorporated social responsibility into its every move to create educational awareness. For each graphic t-shirt purchased, Royal Dynamite makes donations to charitable organizations that work within education and poverty alleviation.
This initiative, RDCares, has already sent more than 500 educational care packages for distribution among various organizations in Sierra Leone and the US. The company aims to have a long-term impact on not only this country, but those affected by the African Diaspora and other regions across the world.
Who Benefits from Royal Dynamite?
Artists gain exposure for their work, customers express themselves by choosing from a variety of artist inspired tees and products and children around benefit from the opportunity created by the first two via donations to the charities that serve them.
