Five N.C. A&T Students Complete FutureSole PLC powered by Nike Masterclass

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Oct. 2, 2024) – Five students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University completed the FutureSole PLC powered by Nike Masterclass, a five-week intensive design program at the Pensole Lewis College (PLC) of Business & Design in Detroit. This program offers in-depth training to help the next generation of historically Black college and university (HBCU) students gain real-world experience in footwear, fashion and design. 

Haleigh Aldridge, a senior history and political science major specializing in fashion merchandising and Wesley Alston, a senior media design major, represented North Carolina A&T’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. They were joined by fashion merchandising and design majors, junior Nicholas Hobbs and Tiyah Hinton ’23, from the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, and Nia Heaston, a sophomore majoring in supply chain management from the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics.  

“It felt amazing to represent A&T with such a strong group,” Alston said. “We had the most representation from our school, and we built great relationships with each other. It’s an experience I’ll always cherish.” 

The program was led by industry veteran D’Wayne Edwards, Ph.D., founder of PLC and former design director at Nike’s Jordan brand, and E. Scott Morris, PLC chair of footwear. Students received mentorship from a team of PLC Detroit department chairs – all Nike alumni with extensive industry experience. The program covered various design aspects, including footwear, apparel, graphics, color and materials, 3D design and product marketing. Tuition and housing were provided by PLC's brand partners. 

PLC’s mission is to “lead and empower the progressive creative to create a better individual and collective future.” Through its learn-by-doing philosophy, PLC offers participants the opportunity to not only enhance their technical skills but also to develop a creative mindset that integrates sustainability, innovation and real-world problem-solving. 

“The program helped me connect storytelling and problem-solving while studying political science to the research and consumer insights in fashion,” said Aldridge. “It also ties into my work with textiles and sustainability, aligning with my long-term goal of becoming an environmental attorney.” 

Students in the FutureSole PLC powered by Nike Masterclass gain practical experience, equipping them to enter the design industry with confidence and knowledge.  

For more information about the Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design and the FutureSole PLC powered by Nike Masterclass, visit www.pensolelewiscollege.com.