Today we’d like to introduce you to Kwame Morgan.
Hi Kwame, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story is a bit traditional, I suppose. I grew up in the city of ATL, a drug-infested house hold. Toxic sights or lessons of what love is supposed to look like. Don’t get me wrong my upbringing had great intentions but they never really came across in the best way I guess. I come from good stock gone bad lol, to say the least. While growing up in the inner, I experienced a lot of trauma as I sit and reflect on my past while typing this. (whew I need a drink already lol) I can remember days of great fun and mischief as a kid. We did the typical things but kinda grew into adult activity way too early. I went from playing football/basketball/baseball in the neighborhood to committing small juvenile criminal activity at a blink of an eye. Joy riding, Stealing from the candy lady, being promiscuous, acting tough, and much more! This was all up to the 8th grade, which was pretty typical life for kids that have grown up in the “hood” in my opinion. Many of my peers had dysfunctional households, looking back we just didn’t know it at the time. I know of different girls that were taken advantage of when we were kids and some male friends who seen many men in and out of their homes because there dads wasn’t there. It was common in my neighborhood to see drugs and violence.
As I stated before that’s just how it was for the most part, I had fun and a great childhood as crazy as it sounds I was just exposed to a lot at a young age. I can recall playing in the back with a childhood friend, the how we were in had no furniture or I’d say little to know furniture. My friend’s mom and another lady would be upfront sitting and talking on the floor with all these little plastic bags on the floor in front or between the both of them. Looking back on it and knowing what I became to know, I was in a trap house playing Nintendo lol just a typical day in the neighborhood. As I got older my dad put me into rec. football and that’s where I really began to come into the person I am today. Sports for kids like me is/was a lifesaver, if it wasn’t for that I’m sure I would have been far more versed in the criminal world as I was as a youth! I gotta thank my parents for that. I think one of the bigger pivots came my 7th-grade summer. A friend of mine showed me a pocket full of crack, and it wasn’t “flex” (a term we used when we sold fake crack rock to Junkies IYKYK) HE mentioned to me that he had just sold one to my Uncle. We moved shortly after that, I guess my parents knew that I knew what was going on in the household (which I already knew they were drug users) I guess they figured to make a move to a better environment and to give me and my brothers a better chance.
We came to Riverdale a round 98′ and I’ve been here since. Well-rounded in all aspects, at this time the kids I was around were a lil more reserved and privileged. Which was good in my opinion, it was ok to be square lol! As the years passed I’ve become more in tune with music, media, and fashion! My group of friends had a talent in rap and fashion. I wanted to be a part of that scene in any aspect it was fun and I found passion/purpose in it. I just wish I took it a bit more seriously back then, who knows what would have been. Within the past few years, I created “Staus” a streetwear brand. the conception was nothing short of the old saying “turning lemons into lemonade” Let me tell you, one day I was creating a pair of shoes online, and there is this company out there that gives you creative control when making your shoes. They provide 3-4 templates of shoes you can pick from and you have a creative range from the color of the stitch to the color of the eyelets on the shoe. As I finalize the shoe, you have to name the shoe. I wanted the shoe to read “Status”, there would be “Status” on the tongue and midsole. So everyone could read the name, I thought this shoe to be worn by the upper echelon. Right along with Ballys, Prada, Maison Margiela, etc.
Long story short after submitting everything, I had a bright idea to proofread what I submitted and sure enough, I spelled “Status”, “STAUS” the company gave me the option to correct my wrong. I resubmitted with the correct spelling months later, the shoes arrived to my home. The shoe box read “Status”; however, the shoes read “Staus” I was mad for a sec and then thought to myself. Damn that sounds cool! Boom years later, here we are talking about “Staus” (A brand for every Body). I enjoy wearing the brand and also love when others support the brand. I really does me just when I see people rock the merch. To me, it’s deeper than garments “Staus” is a lifestyle, a brand that represents the people who never gave up. When you wear Staus not only do you look good but you are walking in a purpose. Take our logo, for instance, it’s a treasure chest. Most of the time when people see a treasure chest, they assume there is money inside of it, something of value! They are correct, each and every day as we navigate through life, our body is our” treasure chest”. We must protect the treasure we carry day in and day out! Figurative and Literal.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The feedback is smooth, most people love what they see. The struggle is funding. it takes money to market and gets garments made.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a creative, I’m learning to cut and sew. I have great design ideas, it’s just a task sometimes bringing them to life. Currently, I’ve taken an interest in photography. To date, I’m most proud of this “t-shirt” that reads “live full and Die empty.”
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson is to not quit on yourself in spite of what others think or say! If it brings you peace and you’re not affecting anyone. Then it’s mandatory that ” you, do, you”.
Contact Info:
- Other: IG: Stausotb
Image Credits
@phewdoitbetta @kiesha_creations @stausotb
