Dare To Dream
Mission
We transform dreams into meaningful careers and lives by offering an accessible pathway to creative careers.
What We Do
We offer an apprenticeship network for leading corporations, providing you with a continuous talent pipeline of ready-now, diverse creatives.
About Us
Experts at the intersection of Industry & EducationAbout
We Create Opportunities for
Talent & Corporations
Our education system is broken: rising education costs, shifting workforce demands to innovatively boost income, and Gen Z interests leave corporations without diverse, ready-now talent. Waiting for higher education to change is costly for the community, consumers, and the bottom line.
i.e. is on a mission to create an apprenticeship network with leading corporations, providing diverse creatives with an accessible pathway to turn their dreams into meaningful professional careers.
Brand Manifesto
We believe that every human should have the ability to turn their dreams into a meaningful life and career.
We believe in a world where your zip code doesn’t determine your destiny.
We believe that education and leadership are tools to dismantle inequitable systems.
Where your identity is your superpower and your unique value proposition.
We believe in radical inclusivity. Yes, because it is the right thing to do and because it drives innovation and excellence.
And lastly, we forever and will always believe in dreams.
100% conversion from apprentice to full time employees, representing a 7x better conversion rate than corporations in-house intern programs.
7x
Testimonials
Samantha Alvarado
Assistant Designer, adidas
“This amazing opportunity brought me back to life and I found passion in something I never thought I would. I don’t come from money and had to drop out of my first year of college; I lost my connection to art and fell into a depression. Without i.e. I would have become a very dull person that I didn’t recognize.”
Cheresse Thornhill-Goldson
Director, Design Education & Growth, S.E.E.D., adidas
“i.e. brings invaluable expertise to the table. They seamlessly transformed our brand’s approach to cultivating creative leaders, delivering top-tier talent, reducing recruiting costs, and producing rapid apprentice-driven revenue. i.e. understood our brand’s requirements and dedicated time to emphasize the significance of developing a diversity of intellect within our talent pool. i.e. and their team are truly exceptional, delivering immediate results and adding significant value to our brand.”
Jessica Smith
CEO, Industry Education
Meet Our Founder
Jessica Smith is a trailblazer in Industry Education, driving major advancements over the past 15 years at the intersection of Higher Education and the Creative Industry. As co-founder of S.E.E.D. (School for Experiential Education in Design), Jessica developed a groundbreaking industry-first platform bridging education to careers through a two-year college alternative, smashing barriers, and championing women of color in the footwear realm. Jessica’s impact also extends to top universities such as Columbia, UCLA, and Portland State, along with Fortune 500 organizations like Nike and adidas.
Beyond academia, Jessica has spearheaded corporate strategy, organizational transformation, and the cultivation of inclusive, high-performing teams. As a prominent member of the adidas United Against Racism Coalition, Jessica’s influence earned her recognition as adidas’ Top 100 Directors globally, along with contribution to adidas’ collaboration with Harvard School of Business. As a published author and lecturer on Leadership, Social Change, and Inclusive Pedagogy, Jessica has spoken at esteemed events including Fortune Brainstorm Design, SXSW (South by Southwest), ENSN Fest, and Black Footwear Forum.
Jessica is a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Southern California in Organizational Change and Leadership publishing on the topic of Industry Education, holds a Master’s in Education from Wake Forest University, and has a bachelors from Georgetown University..
Jessica draws inspiration from her rural Northern California upbringing on a 200-acre farm with her grandparents and brother, which instilled a formidable work ethic, focus, and confidence. Her experiences in a one-stoplight town reinforced the importance of community and service. In her downtime, she enjoys writing, reading, sports, outdoor activities, and quality time with her two sons and loved ones.
Press
The Latest News, Insights, and Media CoverageRecent Releases
Industry Education Covered in Essence for Partnership with adidas Community Lab Initiative
Photo Credit: Essence
October 2024
Industry Education (i.e.) is honored to partner with adidas to support the expansion of the adidas Community Lab initiative, empowering Black and Latino/a/e entrepreneurs at the intersection of sports and equity. Entrepreneurs from key cities — New York, Atlanta, Toronto, Houston, and Los Angeles — will receive mentorship, funding, and resources.
Through this partnership with i.e., participants will gain access to leadership and personal brand workshops, individual StrengthsFinder development, pitch coaching, and expert-led curriculum, all designed to help them create impactful, community-driven ventures in sports.
Alongside returning collaborators such as Black Ambition and Impact Hub, the program has delivered outstanding results since its launch in 2020, initiating three generations of entrepreneurs who have completed its rigorous 9-month curriculum. This initiative is a key part of Industry Education and adidas’ ongoing commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable future in athletics.
Nationwide Creator Camps Launched for High School Students by Industry Education
Photo Credit: Industry Education
September 2024
Industry Education is excited to announce the launch of its highly anticipated Creator Camps, starting with two flagship programs at high schools focused on the arts. These camps are part of a nationwide initiative, with six camps in total running from September through December, designed to expose high school students to the world of design.
The Creator Camps will feature workshops led by S.E.E.D. alumni (School for Experiential Education in Design), who will share their expertise and guide students through an engaging curriculum; and will culminate with the official launch of new S.E.E.D. Programming. Students will participate in a variety of activities, including panel discussions and hands-on sessions with design materials, highlighting the journey to becoming a footwear designer. The program is part of Industry Education’s commitment to fostering creativity, and is made possible with the support of our esteemed community partners generating opportunities for young designers.
If you are interested in discussing partnership opportunities as a high school, youth-serving organization, community college, or any collaborator focused on creativity, fashion, and sport to offer creative career exposure workshops for students, please contact Nikki Turner at nikki@industryeducationllc.com.
Black Footwear Forum Sponsored by Industry Education to Elevate Diverse Voices in Design
Photo Credit: Industry Education
September 2024
Industry Education is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Black Footwear Forum (BFF), a groundbreaking platform dedicated to amplifying Black voices in the global footwear industry. The BFF is known for creating opportunities that highlight the creativity, leadership, and cultural influence of Black professionals in footwear. As a sponsor, Industry Education aims to elevate diverse perspectives and support Black creators in design and footwear innovation.
Held at Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design in Detroit, the Black Footwear Forum draws together influential figures, emerging designers, students, and allies to foster a more inclusive future in footwear design. The event features a range of engaging panels, keynote speakers, and interactive sessions. Attendees explore the central theme: “If we are the culture, and culture moves the world, what moves us forward?” By tackling this pivotal question, the forum aims to celebrate the contributions of Black professionals while identifying pathways to future growth and inclusivity in design.
Through this sponsorship, i.e. is thrilled to connect with the next generation of creators, providing valuable resources and mentorship opportunities as they embark on their journeys in the industry.
Industry Education x Black Being Award "Be Well, Be You" Grant to Support BIPOC Women’s Wellbeing
Photo Credit: Industry Education
November 2024 – 2025
Industry Education and Black Being, with the support of adidas, are proud to announce the recipients of the “Be Well, Be You” Grant. Designed to empower BIPOC women, this grant provides access to crucial wellbeing resources to support personal growth and healing.
As part of this initiative, Grantees have the opportunity to collaborate with wellbeing providers across various avenues including Therapy Support, which offers individual sessions focused on addressing systemic challenges like discrimination, exclusion, and imposter syndrome; Leadership Coaching, which provides a tailored plan to enhance leadership skills and align both personal and professional goals, and Career Counseling, which assist with practical guidance on future job searches, resume building, and interview preparation. The cost of each wellbeing service is fully covered for every Grantee, ensuring access to this crucial support necessary for growth and healing.
Our holistic approach addresses unique challenges that BIPOC women must overcome. Historically, BIPOC women have faced limited access to wellbeing resources from employers. Together, we have the opportunity to change and improve your outcomes. This month’s six Grantees are set to kick off a sustained grant commitment into future years and serves as a meaningful step in supporting BIPOC women’s wellbeing.
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