Meet Justice and Nia: The Dynamic Duo Revolutionizing Activism and Fashion！
Meet Justice and Nia: The Dynamic Duo Revolutionizing Activism and Fashion！
We are thrilled to introduce Justice and Nia Faith on the cover of GMARO Magazine Celebrity Edition Vol.54 August 2024! These inspiring sisters, featured on Forbes 30 Under 30, are making waves in the fashion and activism worlds.
Justice and Nia Faith are not just revolutionizing dancewear but also leading a global movement for inclusivity and empowerment. Follow their journey and be inspired by their dedication to making the world a better place.
For more about their incredible work, visit：
www.revolutionnaire.co
www.justiceandnia.co
Follow @revolutionnaire.co, @thejusticefaith, and @niafaith on Instagram for the latest updates!
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Justice Faith @thejusticefaith
( Co-creator of Révolutionnaire / Entrepreneur / Activist)
Nia Faith @niafaith
( Co-creator of Révolutionnaire / Entrepreneur / Activist)
www.revolutionnaire.co
www.justiceandnia.co
PR - ICON PR @icon_pr
What inspired you to start Révolutionnaire, and how did you identify the need for inclusive dancewear?
Nia: Growing up as a Black ballerina, I would go shopping with my friends who would be able to purchase their dancewear and go straight to class whereas I would have to go home and dye everything because there was nothing available for dancers of color. At 12 years old I met Misty Copeland and she spoke about how she also had to dye her dancewear. Misty’s words inspired me to make my dream of a more inclusive dance world a reality. At 17, I launched Révolutionnaire as the country’s first inclusive dancewear company. The response from dancers of color who were excited by no longer having to dye their apparel gave me the motivation to consider how representation and empowerment could help other young people start their own revolutions and make a difference across causes.
Can you share a bit about your experience being featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 and what that recognition meant to you?
It has been an absolute honor to join the Forbes community and connect with other honorees who are incredible young leaders across industries. Through the 30 Under 30 List and Forbes summits, we have had the opportunity to connect with people who have inspired us tremendously. From meeting trailblazers like President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, to having in-depth conversations with community leaders like Sheila Johnson and youth activists like Xiye Berera, becoming Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees has broadened our networks and given us the ability to collaborate with people who we have looked up to for years to drive change together. We are excited to have several of the women who we met through the Forbes community on our community service event committee and have truly enjoyed collaborating with them to bring our upcoming community service initiative in New York to life.
How do you see the role of social media in modern activism?
Social media empowers young activists, like us, to build platforms that can reach a global audience to advocate for the issues we care about. We leverage everything from TikTok to town halls, making our voices heard loud and clear.
Social media isn't just a learning tool. We use these platforms to organize local campaigns that address real problems in our communities. We also leverage social media’s global reach to amplify our causes, connect with like-minded individuals, and mobilize others to create lasting change on a worldwide scale.
What advice would you give to other young people who want to make a difference in their communities?
Change starts with education and extends to action. We created the RévCommunity with articles and action items regarding environmentalism, racial equity, housing security, food security, and more by young activists for young activists to give you the information you need to learn about these causes in an accessible way and a wide range of action items for you to get involved and make a difference today. Education and action are amplified through community which is why we encourage young people to connect with other like-minded changemakers to collaborate and scale their impact. Finally, there is nothing more important than your health and when dealing with serious and sometimes daunting causes it is important to take a step back, focus on self-care, and recharge so that you can return to the movement with sustainability and long-term impact in mind. Visit revolutionnaire.co to learn more and follow @revolutionnaire.co and @thejusticefaith and @niafaith on Instagram to stay up-to-date.
Can you share more about the AFTER THE BALL event and why it’s particularly meaningful to you, Nia?
Nia: As someone who experienced child abuse at the hands of my childhood dance studio director, I could not be more honored to be a co-chair of the inaugural AFTER THE BALL in support of Boost Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. The organization has transformed the way kids who have suffered abuse are supported with a proven community response under one roof including therapy services, emotional support animals, medical exams, police reports, court advocates, and more. Boost helps children and their families navigate the courts and social services, and helps them access the mental health supports that they need to begin their recovery journey. AFTER THE BALL will bring together rising business leaders, tastemakers, and social changemakers in Toronto to raise funds in support of this important cause.
What does a typical day look like for you both when juggling various projects and commitments?
Our daily changemaking looks like planning and hosting Révolutionnaire community service days where we bring together hundreds of people to take action together, working alongside our RévCommunity Journalists to inform our audience about what is going on in the world and how they can help, collaborating with brands and organizations to create more inclusive products and experiences, speaking to changemakers who will transform the world for the better, and speech prep for upcoming keynotes and conferences.
Can you tell us about a particularly impactful story or person you've encountered through your “Meet a Revolutionary” series?
There are so many changemakers and trailblazers who we have had the honor of interviewing through our Meet a Revolutionary series. Elijah Dietrich’s story of his hands-on approach to climate action was particularly inspiring to us. As a high school student, Elijah embarked on a research trip to the Arctic visiting a remote island near Nunavut called Baffin Island. When he arrived on Baffin Island, Elijah boarded an icebreaker and supported scientists and researchers in drilling ice cores and studying the CO2 levels and marine life in the area to understand how climate change and marine mercury levels affect Indigenous communities. Elijah has also served as a member of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council and a Student Energy Ambassador. His story is a first-hand example of how young people are taking action right now to understand what is going on in our world and how the greatest issues facing our society are interconnected and need urgent attention from communities and leaders alike to be resolved.
What are your future goals for Révolutionnaire?
We want every young person globally to be empowered to become active leaders. We are excited to continue to educate and inspire with speaking engagements, content, and provide hands-on experience through community service events and are committed to building Révolutionnaire into a movement that catalyzes youth as leaders for a better world.
Can you discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry and how you aim to address it?
Fashion touches everyone's lives, acting as a microcosm of society and a platform to encourage representation and positive messages. Diversity and inclusion are about ensuring every individual feels seen, heard, and celebrated. However, as we know, people from historically excluded communities are often overlooked and ignored. We aim to leverage fashion, art, and style to redefine the status quo. With people of color comprising nearly 40% of the U.S. population and commanding a buying power of over $3 trillion, it's clear that representation matters. By sparking conversations about necessary changes and creating innovative products, we can drive meaningful progress and ensure everyone is represented and valued. Our clothing and accessories are inspired by many diverse individuals of all colors, sizes, and styles. Our goal is for everyone to feel seen, represented, and empowered through our Rév Shop collections.
What impact do you hope to achieve with the “Climate Conversations” series?
During a recent trip to Grenada, we had the honor of speaking with the United Nations’s Executive Secretary for Climate Change Simon Stiell. Ahead of our discussion with Executive Secretary Stiell, we sourced questions from youth environmentalists around the globe on topics covering the Conference of Parties, climate justice, and the role of young people in the climate movement. The interview series reaffirmed the Executive Secretary’s commitment to bringing youth from the periphery into the center of change and taking our questions and ideas seriously, recognizing that we are the ones who will inherit this world. We hope that Executive Secretary Stiell and world leaders everywhere continue to take the voices and ideas of young people into consideration with an understanding that their decisions will impact our lives.
How did you come up with the idea for the “Meet a Revolutionary” video series?
We have incredibly inspiring conversations every single day with young changemakers from around the world so we started Meet a Revolutionary in 2019 as a written content series with a mission of spotlighting young changemakers whose voices are not always heard. In 2021, we reimagined Meet a Revolutionary as a video series featuring sit-down conversations with youth changemakers from across the country who are using their voices for change.
What inspires you to keep going when things get tough?
We are inspired by the many young changemakers who we interact with daily and who share our dream of making the world a better place recognizing that the time for change was years ago and we have inherited a world that we must transform through fighting for equity, climate justice, inclusivity, and more.
Can you share some of the community feedback you’ve received from your initiatives?
For many of the young people who participate in our initiatives, it is their first time getting involved in community service. It is always heartwarming to hear youth share how Révolutionnaire has inspired them to make an impact in their communities and recognize that giving back can be fun! A high school student who participated in our Toronto Beautiful U R service initiative in collaboration with Deborah Cox shared this beautiful testimonial:
“This event opened my eyes up to how many people are struggling to get through the day and I would like to be a part of more initiatives to support homeless women and youth. I struggle with my own family issues that have left me homeless at times. This event helped me remember I'm not alone with my struggles and people want to help. I hope to spread love and awareness to social issues for my whole life. Thanks for including me in the initiative!”
What role do you believe young people play in shaping the future?
Young people are at the forefront of shaping the future. One of our Instagram series, “Hey! How are you Shaping the Future?” highlights how young changemakers are driving change every single day. We shoulder these responsibilities and take urgent action because we must. It’s inspiring to be part of a generation that not only recognizes the multiple crises we face but is also empowered to tackle these challenges head-on, fully aware of what’s at stake. We are committed to shaping and protecting our futures, leveraging our experiences and platforms every step of the way.
As we navigate these urgent challenges, it’s crucial that young voices move from the peripheries to the center of decision-making processes. We are the ones with the most to lose, and we show up every day to do the work. We need other generations and leaders in both the public and private sectors to join us with the same sense of urgency and commitment. Our collective future depends on it.
Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re excited about?
We are so excited for our upcoming community service days in support of women’s shelters across New York. As two young women who lived and studied in New York, we recognize how the city is disproportionately affected by housing insecurity and we are incredibly grateful to be giving back to the New York community by convening volunteers to build community, have conversations about women empowerment and assemble packages for hundreds of women in shelters.
We are also thrilled about our upcoming inclusive eyewear collaboration with frames in a wide diversity of shapes, sizes, styles, and colors so that everyone can find something they feel comfortable, empowered, and celebrated in.
How do you engage and motivate other young people to get involved in activism?
We engage and inspire young people to get involved in activism through speaking engagements, educational and action-oriented content, and hands-on community service initiatives. By offering tangible experiences in changemaking, we empower youth to take an active role. We connect with our peers in a way that is both accessible and relatable, emphasizing the long-term impacts of today's societal issues on our futures. We don't just educate; we ignite passion. We provide honest, authentic insights and share actionable steps to drive real change. Through our efforts, we create a supportive community where young people feel equipped and inspired to lead the charge for a better world. Our generation is not just the future; we are the present, ready to transform the world with our collective power.
Can you share a moment that made you particularly proud of your work?
In 2021, we did a massive donation drive to support people who were displaced following a volcanic eruption in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We mobilized individuals and corporations to help us raise over $1 million in in-kind donations for necessities including toiletry items, clothing, power washers, and more.
Last Christmas, we returned to St. Vincent for a grocery giveback initiative and went into the community that was most impacted by this volcano to surprise shoppers with free groceries for the holiday season. We noticed that one of the shoppers who we surprised was wearing an iconically Canadian t-shirt from a brand that supported our donation drive. When it was time for him to receive his groceries, we shared how much we loved his shirt and he said he received it as a donation from Canada after the volcano and that his family was so excited to wear clothes that were brand new with tags. It was a really special moment to hear about how our efforts were able to make a small difference in someone’s life and then be able to further support him by giving his family free groceries for the holidays.
Can you talk about the importance of mentorship in your journey and how it has helped you?
Nia: At the age of 12, I was gifted the opportunity to meet Misty Copeland, the first Black principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater. Like Misty, I started ballet later than my peers, was the only dancer of color in my studio, and had to leave home to continue my training abroad. At 14, I left my family, school, home, and country to pursue my dreams of becoming a professional ballerina at New York’s prestigious Joffrey Ballet School.
Meeting Misty offered a real-life example of a woman who overcame the challenges I faced. In our first meeting, I asked Misty to sign my pointe shoes. As she held them and saw the dye on my hands she spoke about how her method of dying pointe shoes also leaves a similar residue and sparkles when hit by the stage lights causing a distraction to the audience. I wondered how the top professional ballerina in America could be facing the same struggles that I was and not have access to dancewear in her color.
Years later, Misty’s words inspired me to start The Rév Shop, a dancewear company catering to dancers of color. Creating The Rév Shop with the knowledge that dancers of color will no longer have to dye their clothing gave me the necessary motivation to keep dancing even when the “cant’s” outweighed the “cans”.
Misty’s mentorship gave me the strength to surmount barriers and inspired me to help other dancers conquer their challenges and focus on their love of dance. Now, diverse dancers no longer have to spend extra hours and dollars dyeing their dancewear. Like Misty, I want to be an example to others that through hard work and dedication, we can overcome all barriers.
Justice: Beyond mentorship, I've discovered that sponsorship and having individuals who actively support and collaborate with you to create opportunities are invaluable. While mentors are crucial for providing advice and feedback, sponsors serve as advocates and co-creators of your professional journey. Alongside Nia, my sponsors remind me that our biggest dreams are achievable and commit to working with us to realize them, pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Their support not only opens doors but also empowers us to strive for and achieve our highest potential in pursuit of the greatest impact for all.
What role do you see Révolutionnaire playing in the global conversation about equity and inclusion?
When we consider equity from a global perspective, the most pressing issue that is top of mind for us is Climate Justice. The countries and regions that contribute the least to the climate crisis are the ones suffering the most from extreme weather, natural disasters, and other impacts. That’s why we push for fair climate solutions that specifically address these inequalities. Our goal is to make sure the voices of those most affected are heard, loud and clear, in the global conversation. By collaborating across borders, we advocate for and create sustainable and fair solutions. Our dedication to equity and inclusion drives us to challenge existing systems and demand meaningful change, ensuring a just and equitable future for all.
How do you maintain your mental health and well-being while managing such demanding roles?
Dr. Angela Davis once proclaimed, "Anyone who’s interested in making change in the world also has to learn to care of herself, himself, theirselves." Young changemakers have the passion to make a difference and drive to change the world, but preserving that spark is integral to achieving lasting impact at scale. We believe in the notion that self-care is not selfish and assert that it is imperative to movement-building and sustainability so we center this in our daily lives whether it’s through getting exercise, meditation, attending therapy, and more. The RévCommunity’s recharge pillar is so important to us. With articles, videos, and self-care guides all about centering the mental health of changemakers, we hope to inspire more young leaders to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing recognizing that when we are recharged, we can move forward stronger together.
How do you think your generation’s approach to activism differs from previous generations?
As Gen Z, we bring an innovative approach to activism and changemaking. We use every platform available, from TikTok to town halls, to make our voices heard. We organize local campaigns to address real issues and leverage technology to drive global advocacy and change. We understand that the time for action was years ago and that change cannot wait. It requires active participation from each of us and decisive action from our leaders. This is why our generation is unwavering in our commitment to change and holds our leaders accountable—not just because we can, but because we must, for our future, for our planet, and for generations to come.
How do you select the topics and guests for your podcast “Spark by Révolutionnaire”?
Spark by Révolutionnaire is our podcast for Gen Z by Gen Z where we spark candid and informative conversations and amplify the voices of experts who are often unheard. From adulting to advocacy, and everything in between, we discuss a wide range of topics, drawing from our own experiences as Gen Z. Our hosts Brandon Bush, Jaden Petrus, and Carly Faulkner come from different backgrounds and embrace their multifaceted identities. Brandon, Jaden, and Carly have informative, topical discussions paired with some hot takes and taboo conversations and feature a new expert in the cause they're talking about in every conversation. This blend of youth voices and expert opinions makes Spark By Révolutionnaire uniquely dynamic, engaging, and informative.
Can you tell us more about your work with Boost Chil & Youth Advocacy Centre and why it’s important to you?
Nia: Boost Child and Youth Advocacy Centre is an organization dedicated to child abuse prevention and intervention. Boost CYAC provides children with police reports, medical exams, therapy, court prep, and support. As a survivor of child abuse, I recognize firsthand the long-term physical, psychological, and emotional toll that child abuse has and continues to have into adulthood. We are honored to be the inaugural co-chairs of AFTER THE BALL, a new event in Toronto with 100% of ticket sales going directly to supporting Boost CYAC’s vital work and ethos that every child deserves to be safe.
Inspired by my journey of experiencing abuse at the hands of the director of my childhood dance studio, we will also be collaborating with Boost CYAC on resources and programming to help educate parents, coaches, and youth on how child abuse can be prevented in sports and recreation programs.
What legacy do you hope to leave with your work and activism?
We hope for our legacy to be one of empowerment and change. Our goal is for our generation to be equipped with the knowledge and resources to drive positive change and become active leaders globally. We are grateful for the impact that we have been able to have thus far across causes and will continue to work diligently to ensure that our generation’s voices are heard, our peers are motivated to take action alongside us, and youth leaders across local communities can come together to have a positive impact globally.
