Jon Humphrey shares a story about creating a streetwear community in New Orleans

Claima Stories with Bimma

Jon Humphrey is a Louisiana streetwear entrepreneur with Cali roots. Born and raised in San Fernando Valley, California. Jon grew up a shy kid and a love of art and football. Growing up with a single mom, money was tight so he’d spruce up his gear with customizations to stay fresh at school. But when he got his first job at Champs, sneakers became kind of an obsession, but also the social nature of his job allowed Jon to come out of shell and combat his shyness. When he was 19, his mother moved them to New Orleans, LA, to help with his grandparents. Instantly feeling like a fish out of water, and there were some roadblocks after moving, when it comes to enrolling in school. The move led to a short bout with depression. But it was when a cousin took him the Southern Homecoming in Baton Rouge, that he learned about what Louisiana culture is all about.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit. Jon leaves New Orleans for Baton Rouge to wait out the storm. (Of course, he left with two pairs of Jordans.) However, like so many at that time, returned home to everything destroyed. His family was displaced to San Antonio, where Jon took his FEMA check and enrolled in barber school and moved back to Baton Rouge. With that skill, Jon got a job at a local barber shop and started to build a community for himself, but moved back to New Orleans, and low-key became the hottest barber in the city.

Hanging out at a local streetwear shops near the barbershop he was working at, Jon began to build a relationship with the guys there. They liked him so much, they offered him a job. It was when he went to Agenda for the first time, and became engulfed in the world of streetwear and fashion. But All Star Weekend 2015, Jon was inspired to create his own brand, Beignet Boys, inspired by some of his favorite rappers, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and Griselda. He made 3 shirts and he sold 3 shirts. Then it started to grow bigger and bigger, and is still growing even getting shout outs from New Orleans Pelican stars Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart. Beignet Boys might be new, but it’s already leaving an impact on the New Orleans community and beyond.

About Claima Stories with Bimma:

Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.

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