Grammy-winning gospel singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard and music producer Kenneth Leonard have opened The Athlete’s Foot in the Upstate, becoming the first recipients of the STAART program. Their journey to Greenville was guided by divine purpose and a deep love for the community.
“We fell in love with the area, the people, and what it means to be here. God told us to stay here and plant roots,” shared Leonard.
The STAART program, which stands for ‘Strategic African American Retail Track,’ was the brain-child of Darius Billings, the vice president of marketing and community engagement for The Athlete’s Foot USA. The STAART program, born out of the Black Lives Matter movement, is a vital initiative aiming to boost Black ownership in the sneaker industry.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, a passionate sneaker enthusiast, turned her love for sneakers into a thriving venture. “We’re not just here to sell sneakers; this is for the community. We want to pour back into Greenville just as much as the community pours into us,” expressed Cobbs Leonard.
Cobbs Leonard’s husband has a different connection to the industry. “I’m a sneakerhead by marriage,” said Leonard. “When we started dating I realized she was into sneakers and I wanted to be able to connect with her on as many levels as possible. So I started studying all the Jordans and I kind of got into it and was like ‘I like this.’” Cobbs Leonard said she was excited to be able to bring this store to the Greenville community.
Join us in congratulating this dynamic duo for their dedication to the community and the exciting opportunities they bring.
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Fharnell M.
