Please show your support for the NYC Fashion Fellows organization!
- NYC Fashion Fellows
- Target:
- NYC EDC
- Region:
- United States of America
Dear Fashion Fellows Community,
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO SIGN IN A SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR CONTINUING THE NYC FASHION FELLOWS ORGANIZATION AND PROGRAMMING.
As most of you know, NYC EDC and 92Y have decided to sunset their partnership this year. Without action, that would mean the end of a promising program that filled a void in this industry. The program was not perfect, but I think we all see what it could be at its full potential.
A sizable group of fellows, alumni, and mentors has formed over the past couple of months to try and take the program forward, replacing 92Y with a new non-profit entity in the co-sponsor role. There's a sense of urgency here, as the default position of the EDC is to end the program if it doesn't find a viable partner.
We have offered to take over responsibility and logistics, but it looks like there are a couple of other outside groups interested, and we may end up having to "bid" to take over responsibility for the program.
We have serious concerns about the program going to the highest bidder and a third-party taking ownership. A third-party assuming the cost and effort of operating Fashion Fellows will only do so for their own benefit, not ours, without any real commitment over the long run. Those of us involved in the program know first-hand what worked, what didn't, and have the right motivations for maintaining the program and the community.
Our group's vision for the program is as follows:
- maintain a transparent, high-quality selection process, without quotas for sponsors (as there were so far)
- create better, more frequent, and more diverse programming, focused on professional and personal development
- engage the wider industry more, with occasional open events for colleagues
- raise the profile of the program with much more press, visibility, and sharing of the accomplishments of our fellows, alums, and mentors
- bring in more benefits of being part of the community, from access to events and conferences, to professional perks.
We, the undersigned, show our support in the continuation of the New York City Fashion Fellows program by the current community of mentors and alumni.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Please show your support for the NYC Fashion Fellows organization! petition to NYC EDC was written by NYC Fashion Fellows and is in the category Education at GoPetition.