At 15 years old, Demarjae Powell asked his mother for a sewing machine for Christmas. In just a few short years, the return on her investment has multiplied exponentially.
Demarjae put in the work teaching himself to sew during the COVID shutdown, spent a summer doing an internship with a fashion designer in Richmond, Virginia, and has recently started selling his clothes under the brand he created called, “4 Tha Dreamers.”
Those dreams are quickly becoming a reality for him, according to a press release from Les Atkins, public information officer with the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District. He took what he learned in his Principles of Business and Finance and Entrepreneurship classes at Roanoke Rapids High School and launched a website to market and sell his designs worldwide.
“My long-term goal is just to make a living doing what I love,” Demarjae said. “The support here at school has been great. I really appreciate those like my counselors, Mrs. Elias and Mrs. Rowe who have helped me and my English teacher Mrs. Broadnax. I also want to thank my mom Shonta Clements for believing in me and buying me that sewing machine. That’s how it all started.”
A few months ago he was invited to Detroit to show his work at a fashion show.
“That was a great opportunity for me,” Demarjae said. “I’m hoping to do one locally as well.”
At 17, Demarjae has his sights set on college this fall. He’s been accepted to the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design, where he plans to continue his passion of fashion design, marketing and management.
