Steve Madden reflects on his commitment to HBCUs and the Black culture that shaped him
TheGrio...
The entrepreneur reflected on his upbringing, his introduction to hip-hop and why he believes HBCUs deserve greater corporate investment.
Steve Madden is speaking candidly about why supporting historically Black colleges and universities has become a priority for his company, and about the influences that shaped that commitment.
Appearing on The Breakfast Club in a conversation tied to his Netflix project, the footwear mogul detailed the work his brand has done across HBCU campuses. He confirmed that his company runs programming at Howard University, including internship and fashion initiatives, and noted that Steve Madden collaborated with Clark Atlanta University a couple of years back.
Pressed on what drives the investment, Madden framed it as filling a gap he believes goes overlooked. He described HBCUs as an area that doesn’t receive the attention it deserves, calling the institutions “a wonderful thing” and adding that he wishes his company could do more, a sentiment he underscored as particularly urgent given the current climate in America.
The conversation also traced the roots of his relationship with Black culture. Madden said he grew up near Inwood, a community adjacent to Far Rockaway in New York, where he formed friendships that shaped him early on. “I’ve been very influenced by Black culture in my life,” he told the hosts, recalling those years as formative.
He also spoke openly about his time in prison, describing it as another period of cultural immersion. Madden recounted a cellmate essentially taking it upon himself to introduce him to hip-hop, an education he described with affection. He named early tracks that stuck with him, including “Slow Motion” by Juvenile and Soulja Slim, and said TI’s music was ubiquitous during his incarceration, particularly while working out.
The hosts used the exchange to make a broader point about openness, noting that racism and bigotry ultimately close people off from the kind of learning Madden described. He later said he eventually met TI through Irv Gotti, though he has yet to meet Juvenile.
For HBCUs navigating funding pressures and enrollment challenges, corporate partnerships like the ones Madden described carry real weight, offering students access to internships and industry pipelines that can be difficult to secure otherwise.