Alum Spotlight: David Jefferson’s Stackin Kickz brand is a journey of inspiration
Photos and Story by Misty Bouse
August is National Black Business Month, providing an opportunity for the community to support and celebrate Black-owned businesses in the Portland area. As a result, Portland Community College is highlighting great local businesses of owners who have taken a class or utilized a support service at the college.
For example, in 2010 PCC alum David Jefferson embarked on a journey that would transform him and the fashion landscape in Northeast Portland. Founding Stackin Kickz, a cutting-edge streetwear brand, Jefferson introduced a dynamic blend of style and began shifting the culture.
David Jefferson said his PCC experience helped shape his path to success.
Located in the Lloyd Center Mall, the brand quickly resonated. Stackin Kickz’s mission statement was, “Embrace the sneaker culture and create a dynamic of confidence, individuality, and expression through fashion that makes it clear to the world exactly what we care about: without having to say a word.”
Fourteen years later, Stackin Kickz is a cornerstone in the community and the Lloyd Center.
“It dawned on me how inspiring my journey has been to others who are looking to create their own definition of self,” Jefferson said. “As I’ve grown as a human being, the brand has elevated as well. It’s become synonymous with energy, inspiration, community, leadership, and love.”
Jefferson’s influence extends beyond fashion. Passionate about community engagement, he frequently speaks at middle schools, high schools and youth entrepreneurship programs like Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO). His outreach efforts also include talks at business organizations, Oregon’s state universities, and correctional facilities, where he inspires both youth and adults in custody.
Central to his community work is his mentorship program, “Definition of Success.” Through this program, Jefferson teaches classes on individuality, self-awareness, and creating a life of success on one’s own terms. The program, designed to bring peace and personal growth, reflects Jefferson’s belief in the power of education and mentorship.
Jefferson’s roots in Portland and his education at PCC played a crucial role in shaping his path.
“PCC has always been a community staple since I was a child,” he said. “I lived off Kerby and Alberta for some years and we would always walk through (Cascade) campus. It was literally the only college I had ever heard of at that point.”
His early exposure to PCC’s summer youth programs, and later accounting classes, laid the foundation for his academic journey, culminating in a degree in Political Science from the University of Oregon.
Emphasizing the importance of representation, Jefferson advocates for highlighting Black-owned businesses.
“We need to understand exactly what’s possible–and we need to see exactly what it looks like when we do it,” Jefferson said. “Whether people understand it or not, it’s difficult to visualize yourself doing something great if you don’t see people from where you’re from–and people that look like you doing it.”
Jefferson’s mission is to inspire others by being a clear example of optimizing oneself productively and sharing that process.
“Success is not a secret; it’s a science that must be broken down in layman’s terms for all to understand,” he said.
PCC’s SBDC has helped thousands of business owners like Jefferson’s over the last four decades. The center combines one-on-one business advising with training programs taught by business experts, giving small business clients the resources they need to grow.
For more information about PCC’s SBDC, check out www.pcc.edu/professional/small-business/
About Misty Bouse
A Portland Community College public relations specialist, Misty Bouse has been working in college advancement for a decade. A graduate of University of Oregon, Misty has worked as a managing editor for BUILDERNews Magazine and as a contribu... more »