HBCU Alumni Profile: Lorielle Broussard, Co-Founder of Barackawear, Inc.

Spelman College’s Lorielle Broussard, Class of 2003, an art department graduate and designer of the popular “Barack the Vote” signature tees currently sweeping the nation, will be featured on the cover of “Black Enterprise’s” January edition that hits stands December 20.

The article highlights the story of Barackawear Inc., the brainchild of Lorielle and her brother Brandon; and talks about the pair’s new clothing lines YOTOWN and Qreative Jeanius.
Twenty-seven year old Lorielle Broussard’s first entrepreneurial endeavor was selling candy on the bus to and from elementary school in Houston, Texas.

She continued to develop her business and networking skills while throwing parties as a student at Spelman College, and in recent years, as a stylist/costume designer for TV, film and music for acts like Ciara.

She gives her alma mater, Spelman College, a lot of credit for developing her skills. She believes that her Spelman experience has helped shape who she has become today, and has also helped her realize all of the things she is capable of doing.

She admits that Spelman prepared her for things that she never knew she would ever face in her life and career.

“I realized my senior year that no matter what people tell you, if you believe you can do something, then you will. I believe this is why I have been successful in my career and have never given up on my dreams and aspirations.”

In August 2007, her older brother Brandon called on her fashion savvy, creativity and design skills to create a graphic in support of then presidential hopeful Barack Obama, and inspired by MTV’s “Rock the Vote.” The result was “Ba-rack the Vote,” and formally sparked the Broussards’ foray into the business world.

After selling 250 t-shirts with the eye-catching logo to friends and family, Lorielle and Brandon saw the value their creation had in generating awareness of the candidate in whom they believed. They founded Barackawear and Lorielle set to work in developing the Web site and securing partners in printing and distribution.

Eighteen months and 40,000 t-shirts, hoodies and tank tops later, Barackawear donated more than $30,000 in cash and goods toward grassroots campaigning. In addition to contributing the maximum financial contribution to “Obama for America,” the Broussards bought meals, provided BTV gear, and paid for transportation and accommodations for volunteers who traveled with them to South Carolina and Philadelphia during the primaries; and Las Vegas and Chicago during the general election.

In addition to managing the day-to-day business at Barackawear, Inc., Lorielle is also working with her brother, Brandon, to develop a new line of t-shirts, YOTOWN, and a denim line, Qreative Jeanius. Her work is inspired by her favorite things: her friends and family, her travels, time at the beach and good food.

Lorielle currently resides in Los Angeles.

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Tags: Barackawear, Barak the Vote, fashion, HBCU, Politics, Spelman College