When it comes to stepping out in style and substance, Black-owned shoe brands are making serious waves. From luxury heels to street-certified sneakers, these designers are creating more than fashion. These brands are walking legacies of culture, creativity, and community. Whether you’re into bold statements or everyday classics, these brands are proof that the drip is deeper when it’s rooted in purpose.

VOLAS

Volas, the brainchild of designer Ler, is a proudly Houston-rooted shoe brand that blends Italian craftsmanship with Southern soul. Hailing from H‑Town, Ler infuses each pair with the swagger and spirit of the city and transforming every step into a statement of local pride. With Volas handcrafted in Italy by master artisans and delivered in collector-level packaging, Ler’s work proves that Houston luxury can walk confidently on the global stage.

Saysh by siblings Allyson and Wes Felix

Saysh is a women-centered athletic footwear brand co-founded by Olympic legend Allyson Felix and her brother, Wes Felix, rooted in Allyson’s powerful journey as the most decorated U.S. track & field athlete. Motivated by her fight for maternity equity and highlighted in a 2019 New York Times op-ed after facing pay cuts from Nike during pregnancy, Allyson created Saysh to disrupt “shrink-it-and-pink-it” sneaker norms designed for and by women, Saysh trainers feature a narrower heel and wider forefoot, and come with a digital “Saysh Collective” membership that promotes community, empowerment, and access to workouts and conversations

NinetyNine Products

NinetyNine Products is a Harlem-born footwear brand with deep roots in high-performance design and a mission that uplifts community over culture. Founded by veteran shoe designers with 20+ years at Nike, Yeezy, Cole Haan, and Everlane, the brand was launched on the belief that “people want simple products that work,” crafted to spotlight everyday heroes—from educators to healthcare workers—and foster genuine connection. Combining advanced sneaker technology with cultural storytelling, each release—from carbon-fiber running shoes to community-driven collaborations—underscores their ethos: stylish, functional footwear that celebrates and empowers Black & Brown communities through commerce and community impact

Enda Sportswear

Enda Sportswear, born in 2015 and co‑founded by Navalayo “Nava” Osembo and Weldon Kennedy, is Africa’s first performance running footwear brand proudly Made in Kenya. Rooted deeply in the rich running heritage of Eldoret (“the Home of Champions”), Enda crafts shoes like the Iten, Lapatet, and Koobi Fora, each designed to promote a natural mid‑foot strike and celebrate Kenyan craftsmanship while being B‑Corp certified and climate‑neutral. With every pair, they propel economic development by creating local jobs, supporting community initiatives through 2% of sales, and elevating Kenya from consumer to global producer of high‑performance athletic gear.

Tronus Footwear

TRONUS Footwear, launched in July 2020 by pro athlete Santia Deck and her mother Cynthia Cureton‑Robles, is the first sneaker company founded by a female athlete and is proudly Black woman‑owned. Born from Santia’s experience with injury recovery, their luxury recovery sneakers and slides are engineered to absorb shock, protect joints, and help athletes stay in the game longer. “Train Hard, Recover Harder” is their rallying cry. The brand has rapidly made its mark, surpassing early sales projections within days, partnering with elite flag‑football champions, and deepening community ties while consistently pushing innovation in recovery footwear

Perry Co. Shoes

PerryCo Shoes, founded in 2018 by Indianapolis-born Brittney Perry, offers minimalist, gender-neutral sneakers designed for daily versatility and built to challenge traditional footwear norms. Frustrated by the limited women’s sneaker options growing up, Brittney launched PerryCo to break gender barriers and inspire inclusivity in a male-dominated industry by creating sneakers like The Prelude and The Primeira Runner with equal ease for suits or weekend style. Entirely self-funded and rooted in her personal journey, the brand blends marketing savvy with craftsmanship and is rapidly expanding from e-commerce beginnings to partnerships with retailers like Macy’s and boutique retailers in Chicago and Indiana