AfroTees By Steffie B.

AfroTees by Steffie B. was born from the ideal of self-determination. Each shirt is designed as a declaration by its wearer, making our products more than just t-shirts. They are statements. Our first statement was created in ***6. Several have followed and more are on the way. AfroTees are inspired by a desire for Kujichagulia. Kujichagulia is Swahili for self-determination and is the second of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Kujichagulia calls for those descended from Africa "to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves." AfroTees seeks to embody this principle as well as to promote black pride, power, consciousness, and unity through a simple fashion statement. Hailing from Waterbury, CT, Stefanie Brodie (Steffie B.) is an alumna of the University of Maryland with a degree in Civil Engineering. As a student at Maryland, she became aware of several complex issues and disparities facing the Black and African-American community. Motivated to affect change, Stefanie has attempted to better her community through her work with the College Park Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and several other campus organizations. She has focused on fostering a desire for math and science in the younger generation, mentoring and encouraging €at-risk€ high-school students to pursue higher education, and developing programs to stimulate intellectual conversation amongst her colligate counterparts. AfroTees has been a dream of Stefanie€™s for several years. It was conceptualized to use the popularity of screen tees to promote Black Pride and Consciousness. Each shirt is designed by hand to broadcast these messages.