RICHMOND, Va. -- R Home Magazine is celebrating Black History month; highlighting local Black artist, artisans, and designers. Today, Stephen Jenkins, the designer behind the brand Gracist stopped by to share more about his brand. You can learn more by visiting his website.
Stephen Jenkins is the founder and creative director of Gracist Brand, a wearable art company born from a simple but radical idea: what if we put grace inside racism? Based in Richmond, Virginia, Gracist brings together American denim and traditional West African fabrics, handcrafted by artisans in Niger, to create pieces that carry story, history, and healing in every stitch.
Raised the seventh of eight children in a family rich in love if not material wealth, Stephen learned early that circumstances don't define a person — what you do with them does. That conviction became the foundation for Gracist: transforming fabric, history, and relationship into something that lifts people up.
Gracist Brand has been recognized with Best Designer at Visual Arts Craft & Design, collaborated with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and been featured alongside an Alicia Keys × Swizz Beatz exhibition. Each piece is designed not just to be worn, but to be a testimony — a wearable reminder that grace and reconciliation are still possible.
Grace and peace,
Stephen
