Two Ten’s Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI) community has been helping the gender connect, share information, educate, train, and elevate themselves for more than a decade. The organization’s WIFI Grant program takes it a step further by backing up its mission with funds. The latest recipient is Jeneene Bailey-Allen, who will lead a women’s-only sneaker design course at SOLEcial Studies CommUNITY Academy in Brooklyn, NY.
Shanee Helfer, director of Grant Programs for Two Ten, says the decision to award Bailey-Allen and partner with SOLEcial Studies Academy were no brainers. “In a word, empowerment. Jeneene wants to help women find the confidence they need to pursue roles in the industry that tend to be male-dominated,” she says. “We know it can be challenging for any woman—and particularly challenging for a woman of color—to break into design, and that’s especially true in the streetwear and sneaker space, an area where women are not well represented at all.”
Bailey-Allen, a sneaker/streetwear designer by trade, relishes the opportunity the WIFI grant provides. “The grant is an acknowledgment of my commitment to creating impactful experiences and fostering growth opportunities for women in our community,” she says. “It’s a testament to the work I’ve done and continue to build on, fueling my commitment to making a lasting impact.” The grant also enables her to further her role as a leader in this space. “The support from Two Ten allows me to expand my reach, leveraging my experience in project coordination and brand-building to create an enriching, supportive learning environment to participants without financial barriers,” she says. “My goal is to empower women with hands-on, practical skills they can apply immediately while also giving them the confidence to pursue their passions within the streetwear and footwear industries.”
Sean Williams, cofounder of the SOLEcial Studies CommUNITY Academy, says Bailey-Allen, an alum, is the ideal sneaker scholar to lead this course. “Jeneene has invested in making sure more women have the experience that she had, and can feel more educated and empowered to enter the footwear industry,” he says. “We highly value her commitment to doing that, which is why she’s the perfect choice for lead educator of this program.” Williams adds that the academy has some amazing female alumni. “There are some very talented women doing great things as professionals in the industry that I’m very proud to have taught personally or in tandem with Dee Wells, our cofounder.”
Bailey-Allen gives props to the academy as a place to learn and break into the industry. She cites the community-driven, inclusive approach that aligns perfectly with the goals of the design workshops. “Sean’s work emphasizes the value of cultural expression, identity, and creativity—elements that align closely with our mission to empower women to find their voices and express themselves through design,” she says, adding, “SOLEcial Studies has a strong reputation for combining hands-on learning with personal empowerment. Partnering with them allows us to blend expert knowledge with a safe, collaborative space for women to explore their talents.”
Helfer says to expect more WIFI grants and success stories. Just in the past year, the program has helped cover the cost of upskilling and professional development opportunities for more than 100 women. This year’s goal is more than 150 women. “Our long-term goals are to offer more career coaching and one-on-one mentorship to grant recipients, as well as to support a way for small groups of women to do special types of training together as a team,” she says.
WIFI grant applications are currently open. For more information, log onto: twoten.org/our-programs/upskilling-grants/.
