Designer Daveed Baptiste Wins $200,000 Empowered Vision Award

Designer Daveed Baptiste has been named the recipient of the 2025 Empowered Vision Award, presented by The Andréa W. and Kenneth C. Frazier Family Foundation in partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). This prestigious accolade recognizes and supports emerging Black designers who demonstrate exceptional talent and business acumen.

The announcement took place at a cocktail reception held Thursday evening at the W Union Square in New York City. The event drew prominent figures from the fashion industry, media, and design community to celebrate the award’s mission. During the reception, artistic director and cultural advocate Edward Buchanan and supermodel Imaan Hammam jointly revealed Baptiste as the honoree for this year.

Milton Dixon III, program director of the Empowered Vision Award, commented on the selection criteria. He noted that Baptiste "ultimately distinguished themselves through clear, thoughtful storytelling and a disciplined, vulnerable approach to building and strengthening their tools to lead a business.” Dixon expressed confidence in Baptiste's potential, stating, “We’re proud to support a designer whose work speaks to the future of fashion, and we’re excited to move forward with them over the next year of mentorship and continued investment.”

The Empowered Vision Award includes a comprehensive support package designed to accelerate business growth. The award comprises a $100,000 financial grant, coupled with a year-long mentorship program valued at an additional $100,000. This initiative aims to provide emerging Black designers with critical funding, specialized industry guidance, and strategic support to help scale their enterprises and build a lasting global presence in the fashion industry.