Daveed Baptiste named the winner of the 2025 Empowered Vision Award
Haitian American designer Daveed Baptiste has been awarded the 2025 Empowered Vision Award_ presented by The Andréa W. and Kenneth C. Frazier Family Foundation and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
Baptiste was named the recipient of this year_s award during a cocktail reception at the W Hotel Union Square in New York City last week by artistic director and cultural advocate Edward Buchanan and supermodel Imaan Hammam.
The event welcomed several members of the fashion_ media_ and design industries_ including designers Prabal Gurung_ Kim Shui_ and Bach Mai_ who came together to celebrate the award_s mission to support and elevate Black designers.
“Daveed Baptiste ultimately distinguished themselves through clear_ thoughtful storytelling and a disciplined_ vulnerable approach to building and strengthening their tools to lead a business_” said Milton Dixon III_ Program Director of the Empowered Vision Award_ in a statement. “We_re proud to support a designer whose work speaks to the future of fashion_ and we_re excited to move forward with them over the next year of mentorship and continued investment.”
Founded in 2024_ the Empowered Vision Award includes a 100_000 US dollar financial grant together with a year-long mentorship program valued at an additional 100_000 US dollars. The award was created to provide up-and-coming Black designers with essential financial resources_ expert mentorship_ and targeted business support to expand their operations and establish themselves on the international stage.
“As we enter year two of the Empowered Vision Award_ we reaffirm our commitment to championing designers at every stage of their creative journey_” said Steven Kolb_ CEO and President of the CFDA_ in a statement. “Our goal is to build an ecosystem where diverse talent not only has the opportunity to emerge_ but the foundation to thrive. We are grateful for the Andréa W. and Kenneth C. Frazier Family Foundation_s leadership_ whose vision and generosity help make this vital work possible.”
Baptiste was selected from the group of finalists for his exceptional creativity_ vision_ and dedication to building a sustainable brand with a bold_ innovative perspective_ according to a statement from the CFDA. His work embodies the award_s mission to champion both creative excellence and business development in fashion.
An interdisciplinary artist and designer working across fashion_ textiles_ and photography_ Baptiste explores themes of race_ gender_ and class within the Haitian and Caribbean diaspora through projects such as _Haiti To Hood_ and _Ti Maché_. Baptiste holds a BFA from Parsons and has exhibited at NYU_ Aperture Foundation_ and recently held his first solo show at MoCADA.