Search....
CTRL+K
Search....
CTRL+K
Aurora James, Creative Director and Founder of luxury accessories brand Brother Vellies and founder of the non-profit advocacy organization, Fifteen Percent Pledge, has long worked to make the global economy a more equitable place for historically excluded groups. Brother Vellies was founded in 2013 with the goal of keeping traditional African design practices and techniques […]
Aurora James, Creative Director and Founder of luxury accessories brand Brother Vellies and founder of the non-profit advocacy organization, Fifteen Percent Pledge, has long worked to make the global economy a more equitable place for historically excluded groups.
Brother Vellies was founded in 2013 with the goal of keeping traditional African design practices and techniques alive. The brand supports artisan communities around the world, creating timeless pieces that celebrate various cultural histories and honor the individuals that make them through fair labor practices and job creation.
The first Brother Vellies collection was a single style of vellies that Aurora James sold at the Hester Street Fair in New York. Today, Brother Vellies is handmade across the globe and has expanded into handbags and other accessories categories, including a home goods subscription service, Something Special.
In June 2020, Aurora founded the Fifteen Percent Pledge, a non-profit advocacy organization that is closing the racial wealth gap by partnering with retailers to diversify their shelves and commit 15 percent of their purchasing power to Black-owned businesses.
Under Aurora James leadership, what initially began as an Instagram post has now expanded to a full-fledged organization with ten full-time staff members. To date, the Pledge has partnered with nearly 30 major companies across industries, including Macy’s, Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta Beauty and more.
By 2030, the organization aims to drive $1.4 trillion of wealth generation by Black entrepreneurs and increase Black business representation by 14.6 percent.
As a result of her advocacy work, Aurora has been awarded the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Founders Award, and named to the 2021 TIME100 and the 2020 Bloomberg 50.
Aurora currently splits her time between New York City and Los Angeles with her dog, Mr. Chow.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter
In order to view the below you must be logged in.
DJ Bella Fiasco’s musical style is simply formed upon her audience, wherever she may be or whomever she may be playing for. With a talent for spinning captivating tracks and a killer sense of style, DJ Bella Fiasco is a force. From the age of 17, when surprised with turntables, a gift from her father, […]
Butterscotch Clinton, the vocal percussionist virtuosa, uses her powerful voice to defy gender and music social constructs. She began her career in the underground male-dominated beatbox battle scene, where she was crowned the world’s first female beatbox champion. Soon thereafter, a breakthrough performance on America’s Got Talent lead her to place third on the hit […]
Susan Oh stands at the intersection of emerging technologies, impact finance, and sustainability, bringing a dynamic, forward-thinking perspective to every stage she graces. A sought-after speaker, innovator, and advocate for ethical tech, Susan’s core message centers on how we can harness the power of blockchain, AI, and decentralized finance to reshape our world for the […]
Jim Kelly is a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback who spent his entire NFL career as a Buffalo Bill. His hallmark as a player was his toughness. Jim is considered one of the elite quarterbacks in the history of the National Football League. He led the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls in […]
Matt Mullenweg, the visionary co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, has been a transformative force in the digital publishing world. His pioneering work in open-source web development has democratized online content creation, empowering millions globally. As a speaker, Matt captivates audiences with his insights into technology, entrepreneurship, and the future of work. Born on […]
Roger Haskett is an award-winning international keynote speaker and President of Engagement Unlimited. With his innovative keynotes and programs, he ignites positive transformational change in teams and individuals across North America and beyond. Roger’s experience, knowledge and highly contagious positive energy have garnered him countless 10/10 audience rankings “best of conference” survey results and hundreds […]
Kay Firth-Butterfield stands at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) ethics and governance, championing the responsible development and deployment of technology. As the CEO of Good Tech Advisory LLC, she leverages her extensive legal and academic background to guide organizations toward ethical AI practices. Her leadership in this domain earned her a spot among TIME’s […]
Stephen Drum is a highly regarded leadership and peak performance speaker, renowned for his extraordinary career as a Navy SEAL Master Chief with 27 years of combat-tested experience. As a distinguished figure in leadership development, Drum brings unparalleled expertise and insights to organizations and individuals seeking to excel in high-pressure environments. His transformative approach to […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
