The Andréa W. and Kenneth C. Frazier Family Foundation and the Council of Fashion Designers of America have embarked on the third edition of the Empowered Vision Award, an annual initiative dedicated to recognizing and supporting emerging Black designers with distinct creative vision and business acumen.
The Empowered Vision Award recognizes one designer each year with a $100,000 financial grant, a tailored internship program, strategic business development, and national visibility. The award honors designers whose creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and vision demonstrate fashion’s power as a catalyst for cultural dialogue, business innovation, and lasting industry impact.
Launched in 2024, the Empowered Vision Award recognized Rachel Scott, founder and creative director of Diotima and creative director of Proenza Schouler, as its inaugural winner. Last year Daveed Baptiste was named the 2025 Empowered Vision Award recipient.
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This year’s selection committee is comprised of Edward Buchanan, artistic director and cultural advocate; Willy Chavarria, creative director and chief executive officer of his namesake brand; Michele Cohen, president of Gabriela Hearst; Robin Givhan, Pulitzer Prize-winning fashion critic and journalist; Alastair McKimm, stylist and creative director; Sherri McMullen, founder and CEO of McMullen; Travis Scott, musician and founder of Cactus Jack; Shiona Turini, Emmy Award-winning costume designer, and Anok Yai, model.
Applications will open on Sept. 1 and can be found on cfda.com.
The 2026 Empowered Vision Award recipient will be named at an awards ceremony in New York on Dec. 10.
