By Kendra Bryant
AFRO Intern
In 2015, Baltimore was full of turmoil. After the April 19, 2015 death of Freddie Gray, many felt angry, while others felt hopeless. For Kalilah Wright, watching her community struggle after the brutal death and subsequent riots inspired a need for change.
A year after Gray’s death, Wright launched her customized T-shirt company MESS in a Bottle to share positive messages in the Baltimore community.
“My city was in pain,” Wright said. “People were looking for a way to express themselves, and I wanted to help send that message out. I wanted to create something that could amplify those voices and help send that message out beyond just the streets.”
Wright has lived in Baltimore for nearly 20 years. She obtained a master’s degree in architecture from Morgan State University and went on to become an educator in the Baltimore City Public Schools System.
“I think that graduating and getting my master’s education here, then deciding to make this home really made me feel like I could build something here, and that’s just what I did,” said Wright. “The city has shown up for me– 110 percent. I started my business here, I bought my first home here. Baltimore has become a part of who I am.”
Wrights shares how her identity as a Black immigrant woman is what gives her the strength to run her business.
“I have a certain amount of resilience embedded in my DNA,” said Wright. “As a Black woman, the odds are often against us, but that’s why I push harder.”
Wright credits her passion for fashion to her years of growing up in Brooklyn, one of the fashion capitals.
“I was inspired by the ‘90s. People like Dapper Dan. I just love New York; it’s one of those places where you can see anything. So much elegance and so much art all over for inspiration,” said Wright.
The messages on her shirt are made to make all feel heard, especially those of the Black community. One of her favorite designs is a shirt that reads, “A Black woman created this” and “I’m just a bad chick with a bald head living life.”
“That’s me in a shirt, but I created it for people from all walks of life. It was amazing to see a woman getting through chemotherapy with the shirt,” said Wright. “It’s confidence you can wear. To say that a Black woman created this, I’m proud to put that on a shirt.”
MESS in a Bottle has been featured in Essence, Teen Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan and Revolt.
Despite the challenges Wright faces as a business owner, being a mother and educator allows her to inspire others directly.
“My kids watch me work hard,” said Wright. “They see me create something from scratch and that’s inspiring to them.”
During her time teaching at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute she served as a teacher and mentor to her students. One former student, Xavier Hunt, feels inspired by Wright and now works as a math teacher.
“Kalilah Wright (formerly Ms. Cummings) has inspired me to push beyond the limits in both education and entrepreneurial experiences since we met. Fifteen years later, she continues to show me and the world how to bodily navigate through life’s ‘MESS’ without compromising her integrity and authenticity,” said Hunt. “I am beyond grateful to share a community with her, and I thank God for her purpose, which has directly guided me onto my purpose.”
Wright has plans to expand the company’s product line and increase her social media presence. She wants to serve as a mentor to other Black women entrepreneurs.
“My best advice is to just do it,” said Wright. “You never know how much this can come out of something until you try it.”
Great Job Kendra Bryant & the Team @ AFRO American Newspapers Source link for sharing this story.
