Shavone Charles Is Redefining the Stereotypes of Tech and Fashion

After recently introducing the new Grand Beginnings campaign, Cole Haan is kicking off the video series with entrepreneur Shavone Charles. The musician, multi-hyphenate creative and founder of the multidisciplinary agency, Magic in her Melanin, is the embodiment of the campaign’s mission to share the untold stories of today’s boundary breakers.

Charles sports the Cole Haan Generation ZERØGRAND shoe, designed for the fast-paced lives of those who thrive outside of traditional workspaces. She shares her story of becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable as she breaks through uncharted territories in tech and fashion. As a modern change agent, she’s used her seat at the table to set a new path for underrepresented communities by forging a path of her own.

Recently named to the 2019 Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for breaking down barriers at companies like Twitter and Instagram, Charles’ creative agency Magic in her Melanin continues with the same ethos, amplifying the voices and work of others. Take, for example, her #BlackFuture collaboration with Soho House, which honored the next generation of creatives, and her work creating a platform to showcase emerging black artists and musicians during Grammy week.

To get to where she is now required humble and hard working beginnings. “Early on, a lot of what I did was based off being a self starter. Everything I ended up seeking out didn’t fall in my lap,” says Charles. Before being sought out by some of the biggest names in tech, she sourced her own internships. But getting her foot in the door was just the first step.  “For you to get to where you want to go, you have to put in the 10,000 hours and no matter what, not be a victim of circumstance along the way.”

Watch the video above to learn more about how Charles began on her trailblazing path and head over to Cole Haan’s website to shop the featured Generation ZERØGRAND collection.