Nationwide — Kam Ballard, the owner of b.c.e. Custom Shoes, based in Birmingham, Alabama, is determined to change the shoe game for organizations within the Divine 9 by creating unique footwear. Her latest creation is the Z heel. It pays homage to the ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. The heel, with an embedded dove and a blue sole, can be stationed on classic heels or boots.Ballard states that she wants her shoes to make a statement. “My goal is to make sophisticated shoes that can be worn at an event hosted at the White House. When I envision new designs, my first thought is Vice President Kamala Harris who is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is the second most powerful person in the United States. What if, she ordered a pair of b.c.e. Shoes? Are they classy enough for her to walk amongst leaders of other countries without drawing attention to her feet? Yet, are they powerful enough to make a statement to other members of the Divine 9 in the room, that may notice her shoes. Not saying that she would wear my shoes, but that is the level that I try to create on. Creating the Z heel, to honor the ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. took time, patience and several manufacturers. It had to be perfect. Although I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. the Divine 9 is family. My goal is to ensure that what I create for other organizations is just as distinguished as what I create for my own organization.”
b.c.e. continues to surpass the expectations of footwear for Divine 9 organizations. b.c.e., is a small company, operating in a major company arena. One day Ballard hopes to collaborate with
companies such as Louis Vuitton or Gucci and create a shoe that pays homage to the Divine 9. Ballard said it’s overdue.
She comments, “The Divine 9 has been around since 1906, respectfully. We have been on the front lines during significant events in American history. From the Women’s Suffrage movement to the March on Washington and the infamous Bloody Sunday. We advocate for change and the betterment of our country. The members of the Divine 9, past and present, have made significant global impacts in the world. The first female African American Congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm and Nikki Giovanni are members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Justice Thurgood Marshall and Roland Martin hold membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.”
She continues, “The current Vice-President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris and Actress Phylicia Rashad hold membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Zora Neal Hurston was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Langston Hughes, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Michael Jordan are members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Arthur Ashe and Colin Kapernick are members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. The late Representative John Lewis, Al Roker and Emmit Smith hold membership in Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. The list is endless. Being a member of the Divine 9, is a symbol of pride and continuation of a legacy of empowerment. My goal is simply to honor a legacy that I am fortunate to be a member of.”
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