Actively Black Honors Civil Rights Icons on the New York Fashion Week Runway

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At New York Fashion Week, Actively Black turned the runway into a living tribute to Black history, legacy, and resilience. The September 12 show at Sony Hall proved that fashion can be more than aesthetics—it can also serve as a platform for purpose and power.

What Set It Apart

The presentation carried the theme “This Is Not a Fashion Show,” chosen by founders Lanny Smith and Bianca Winslow. Instead of highlighting seasonal trends, the focus was on honoring past and present civil rights leaders.

The runway featured models alongside historic figures and descendants of icons. In one of the most symbolic moments, Dr. Bernice King (daughter of Martin Luther King Jr.) and Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz (daughter of Malcolm X) walked individually before reuniting on stage. Ruby Bridges—famous for integrating schools at six years old—and photographer Cecil J. Williams also appeared, with archival footage and images underscoring their historic roles.

Why It Resonated

Fashion became storytelling. Sweatshirts carried images tied to civil rights history, while multimedia elements reinforced the truth that the movement is ongoing, not just a relic of the past. For many in the audience, seeing these legacies honored so vividly brought tears—an emotional reminder that recognition and reckoning still matter.

Defining Moments

• Ruby Bridges walked in an Actively Black hoodie dress, escorted by two men symbolizing the federal agents who once protected her—a striking image of courage and protection.
• Ben “Boston Ben” Haith Jr., creator of the Juneteenth flag, earned thunderous applause for his appearance.
• The joint walk of Bernice King and Ilyasah Shabazz served as a powerful bridge between history’s struggles and today’s ongoing fight for justice.

Why It Matters

This NYFW showcase reminded audiences that fashion can be a vessel for memory and education. It raised critical questions about who we choose to celebrate and how we connect cultural history to today’s challenges.

By spotlighting civil rights icons and their descendants, Actively Black transformed the runway into a stage of remembrance and teaching—reinforcing that the struggle for equality continues, and the stories of those who fought for it must remain alive.