H B C U
T I M E S
CARA JOHNSON-GRAVES
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A s graduates from Morgan State University and North Carolina A&T, sisters Cara Johnson-Graves & Jenae Johnson-Carr, know the importance of creating a seat at the table when otherwise there is none. It looks like ME! EPIC Everyday was intentionally created for under-represented children to see themselves in a bright, bold, and beautiful way. As wives and moms, they were disheartened by the lack of products that looked like their children or celebrated diversity. In 2019, there were 46.8 million people who self- identified as Black, making up 14% of the country’s population. However, less than 2% of products online, or in store, represented Black and brown children. Upon recognizing the extreme lack of diversity, they made a conscientious decision to empower children of color and took action to fill a void. EPIC Everyday launched its online presence in 2019, and has grown into an international brand with a complete collection that amplifies self-
love via apparel, home goods, and accessories.
As kids, they were STEM nerds and later pursued careers in medical and engineering fields, respectively. It is notable that they created a company from dream to reality while living worlds apart. Jenae and her family lived in Scotland while building the brand, and served as the international headquarters in the U.K. While, Cara managed the U.S. headquarters in the Washington, D.C. region. They initially started with a kid’s collection for school and travel. Due to COVID-19, they successfully shifted the focus to create an apparel line and home goods out of necessity to survive. Currently, they have retail partners in four locations in New York and Maryland including Mahogany Books, CAMP: A Family Experience, and Ethnicitees. “Never Ordinary, Always EPIC,” serves as an affirmation as they consistently strive to exceed expectations and celebrate diversity and love for the culture.
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