Nia Faith Betty
Born
Nia Faith Betty

(2001-10-06) October 6, 2001
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
EducationHoward University
Occupation(s)Fashion designer, activist
Years active2019–present
Websitewww.revolutionnaire.co

Nia Faith Betty (born October 6, 2001) is a Canadian activist, fashion designer, and the co-founder of Révolutionnaire, a digital social network for changemakers and a clothing line to celebrate diversity.[1]

In November 2019, in her first year at Howard University, Betty founded Révolutionnaire as a dance wear line catering to dancers of color, the first in Canada.[2] Betty grew up in the professional ballet world and was considered a prodigy who moved to the United States to train at New York City's Joffrey Ballet School at the age of 14.[3] During her time at Joffrey, Betty was featured in Awesomeness TV's Joffrey Elite. Two years later, in 2017, Betty suffered from a nearly career-ending injury that left her on bed rest for several months.[4]

During her time on bed rest, Betty began sketching and designing a dancewear line catering to dancers of color, inspired by her own journey of growing up as a Black ballerina and never having access to apparel that matched her skin tone and having to dye her dancewear for the majority of her career.[4] When Betty met Misty Copeland in 2014 and learned that Copeland also dyed her apparel and accessories due to a lack of diversity in dancewear, Betty became inspired to create her own.[5]

In 2019, Betty began her first semester at historically black Howard University, in Washington, D.C.[6] At Howard, Betty launched Révolutionnaire several weeks later at the age of 17 with a line of branded tee shirts which later expanded into Canada's first skin-toned dancewear and accessories for people of color.[5]

In the summer of 2020, Betty entered a unique partnership with the Canadian Heritage brand Roots which included a two-part collaboration between Roots and Révolutionnaire taking part over eight months.[7] The first phase of the collaboration launched on February 5, 2021, with Betty's sister being announced as co-founder of the company the same week. The collaboration featured a t-shirt with the phrase "Dreams Fuel Revolutions" on it and sold out in under 24 hours.[8] Proceeds from the collection were donated to Canada's Black Academy to amplify young Black talent across the country.[9] The second collaboration launched on October 19, 2021, with a leather jacket, leather bag, two statement t-shirts and six co-branded hoodies and sweatpants.[8] In the midst of this, Betty launched an online platform for young people to engage in social change.[10]

Activism

As someone with a lifelong involvement in activism, Betty decided to expand her organization to be more social justice-focused.[11] Betty worked with her sister and co-founder of Révolutionnaire, Justice Faith Betty to evolve Révolutionnaire with a social justice arm, creating a social network for activists. The sisters onboarded a team of over 30 young North American activists.[12] The sisters along with their team worked to build out a dedicated platform for young people to learn about causes of interest, connect with like-minded citizens, and take action across social causes. Since launching in June 2021, the social network has gained members from Ghana, Uganda, Mexico, Turkey, Jordan, Canada, and the United States.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Wilson, Kimberly. "Meet The 19-Year-Old Howard Student Behind Révolutionnaire, An Education And Action Platform For Young Activists". Essence Magazine. Essence Magazine. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  2. ↑ Harvey, Lex. "These Toronto sisters created a platform for young activists to turn their dreams into action". The Toronto Star. The Toronto Star. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  3. ↑ Ford, Thomas. "Dance Spirit Magazine". Dance Spirit. Dance Spirit. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  4. 1 2 Beeksmat, Sonia. "Young dancers Nia and Justice Faith launched Révolutionnaire to battle discrimination in dance". etalk. etalk. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  5. 1 2 Spears, Celeste. "Révolutionnaire Has Gone From Inclusive Dancewear to a Social Justice Platform". Dance Magazine. Dance Magazine. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  6. ↑ Burrel, Joshua. "Revolutionnaire: An Organizing Platform For Young Activists To Make The Impact They Want". Forbes. Forbes. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  7. ↑ "Roots x Révolutionnaire For Black History Month". Vita Daily. Vita Daily.
  8. 1 2 Lockwood, Lisa. "Révolutionnaire by Roots Looks to Empower Individuals to Take Action". WWD. Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  9. ↑ Zanon, Elysa. "Roots Is Celebrating Black History Month With A Limited Edition Collab". Style Democracy. Style Democracy. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  10. ↑ Burrel, Joshua. "Revolutionnaire: An Organizing Platform For Young Activists To Make The Impact They Want". Forbes. Forbes. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  11. ↑ "Révolutionnaire Helps Activists Get Educated and Connect". Cheddar News. Cheddar News. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  12. ↑ Battle, Tatiana. "Gen-Z social activists making a difference through their online platform". Your Basin. Your Basin. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  13. ↑ Caplan, Ilyana. "The search for inclusive dancewear is over thanks to young Revolutionnaire changemakers". KGET TV. KGET TV.
  • "Meet The 19-Year-Old Howard Student Behind Révolutionnaire, An Education And Action Platform For Young Activists" Essence. 3 June 2021.
  • "Toronto sisters launch digital platform to help young activists make an impact" CBC. 8 July 2021.
  • "These Toronto sisters created a platform for young activists to turn their dreams into action" Toronto Star. 23 March 2021.
  • "The search for inclusive dancewear is over thanks to young Revolutionnaire changemakers" KGET. 23 June 2021.
  • "HBCU STUDENT CREATES PLATFORM FOR YOUNG ACTIVISTS" YR Media. 4 June 2021.
  • "Revolutionnaire: An Organizing Platform For Young Activists To Make The Impact They Want" Forbes. 17 June 2021
  • "Révolutionnaire Helps Activists Get Educated and Connect" Cheddar. 2 June 2021.
  • "Gen-Z social activists making a difference through their online platform" Your Basin. 31, July 2021.
  • "Roots Is Celebrating Black History Month With A Limited Edition Collab" Style Democracy. 3 February 2021
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