Kerby Jean-Raymond’s Initiative to Assist Those Affected by Coronavirus
As Planet Earth is fulfilling its’ never ending commitment of rotating on its axis, humanity is currently on pause due to the pandemic of COVID-19. The coronavirus or what others’ like to refer to it as, “Ca’Rone or Coronisha” has swept in and affected this entire planet we call home. With a pandemic this large, there have been a plethora of healthcare facilities experiencing shortages of protective equipment and countless businesses are on the brink of being out of circulation.
Fashion designer and founder of Pyer Moss, Kerby Jean-Raymond and his high-powered team, took initiative by converting the Pyer Moss office in NYC into a donation center for supplies such as masks, gloves and other face protectors. If one was not in the area locally to donate for the cause, Kerby provided a mail in option for these items and assured that he and the Pyer Moss team were executing social distancing and hygienic practices to receive and transport those items to medical professionals. Not to mention, Pyer Moss set aside $5,000 to purchase the highly sought after medical supplies.
The divine acts of humanitarianism did not cease. The Haitian designer’s next initial step was providing assistance to small creative businesses which mainly prioritized amongst the minority and women who were impacted by this crisis. Kerby and his team reserved a total of $50,000 to support the afflicted.
In response to Kerby’s initiative, social media proved to have radiated to his commitment and everything manifested in complete alignment. Kebry and the Pyer Moss team received an additional $5,000 from their lawyers to assist towards needed medical supplies. In addition, the team was able to acquire over 7,300 N95 masks and over 1,000 units of nitrile gloves and face protectors. The efficacious act of benefaction was far from finished. Kerby then used the local factories of Pyer Moss to construct 1,000 mask covers to extend the use of the N95 masks.
With the help of Kerby’s friend Jen Rubio, the prearranged $50,000 expanded and magnified the endowment to a sum of $100,000. In totality, $78,000 of the funds were distributed to 38 businesses that included 7 fashion brands, 5 cafes and restaurants, 3 childhood education businesses, 3 health and beauty brands and other creative enterprises through the Your Friends In New York Business Fund. The Your Friends In New York Business Fund was established due to the rising pandemic of COVID-19. It was designed to provide temporary relief to creative based businesses owned and operated by minorities and women. With the remaining funds, Kerby and the team of Pyer Moss are stragezing a way to construct an indefinite plan of action.
Not all heroes wear an indestructible cape made of kryptonian fabric but instead a custom white silk zoot suit with exaggerated shoulders, replicating the integrity of a black man in the American society, while displaying custom printed lyrical pinstripes and iconic sculpture portrait buttons from their favorite rappers, black power fist cufflinks and a pair custom red boots, wrapped in crocodile, that leaves an infinite trail of fire with each stride up The Metropolitan Museum of Art steps during the 2019 Met Gala. Kerby Jean-Raymond is his name and heroism is his game.
If you are a creative-based business and you’re in dire need of assistance, cannot keep our business afloat, can’t make payroll or cover pressing costs, please visit http://yourfriendsin.nyc/. The Your Friends in New York Business Fund will provide temporary relief to creative based businesses that are owned by minorities and women. A more limitless structure is currently in the works and is expected to be launched later this year.
Report: Sanvernetas Thomas
At the rise of Covid-19 many of us first questioned the timeline of fashion week and would we see the regular calendar continue - the question weighed over many of us for months! It was refreshing to see design houses and designers across the globe take advantage of the uncertainty and plow into production mode - thus my interest in Jerri Reid New York - The Black Designer based in Brooklyn New York wow’d instagram with his latest collection paying homage to the Black Is King film which debuted earlier this year in July. I was taken aback at quick of a turn round the young designer produced and released his well crafted designs reflecting some of the films most memorable moments.