EMPOWERING CHANGE THROUGH APPAREL – A NEW BRAND CREATED BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COMBAT GUN VIOLENCE
Centric Brands partners with Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School to launch the socially conscious brand EVNTLLY.
June 26, 2025
EVNTLLY, a socially conscious apparel brand created by high school students from the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School launched today. This student-driven initiative, born out of a business class designed to teach entrepreneurship, turned into a drive to make change on the pressing issue of gun violence that deeply affects their community. EVNTLLY has partnered with Centric Brands, a global lifestyle collective, to bring the brand to life.
EVNTLLY’s mission is to use fashion as a tool for change, raising awareness and sparking conversation around the impact of gun violence in local neighborhoods. The brand’s collection features thought-provoking designs that express a powerful message of hope, resilience, and unity, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting local organizations dedicated to gun violence prevention.
“Our journey began with a simple question: What do we want out of school?” said Khary Williams, one of the co-founders of EVNTLLY. “For us, the answer was clear. We don’t just want to learn foundational classes, such as trigonometry and biology. We want to learn practical life skills that can help us succeed in life – to create a business and carve our own path to success against all odds.”
The students, who are all part of a special business class at Earl Monroe Basketball School, were inspired by their own experiences and the challenges they face living in a neighborhood that has been affected by gun violence. By developing EVNTLLY, they are not only gaining valuable business skills but also making a tangible impact on the world around them.
“But EVNTLLY is more than just a business; it’s a beacon of hope for the youth of our generation, who grow up shunned by society and marginalized,” Jordy Santos, another co-founder of EVNTLLY, continued. “Our commitment to social responsibility is embodied in every stitch of fabric, every thread of our narrative. This orange emblem? It isn’t just a symbol. It is a declaration of unity and change—a unity and a semblance of hope against the epidemic of gun violence in our culture and everyday life.”
EVNTLLY’s launch has been made possible in part through the support of Centric Brands, a global lifestyle brand collective renowned for their retail licensing business and growth strategies. Centric Brands is collaborating with the student founders to help bring their vision to life, providing guidance and resources to support the brand’s creation and growth.
“Centric Brands is proud to partner with EVNTLLY to help these young entrepreneurs turn their vision into reality,” said Jason Rabin, Chief Executive Officer at Centric Brands. “We believe in the power of business to create positive change, and we’re excited to support this impactful initiative.”
EVNTLLY’s collection will be available for purchase starting Summer 2025, a limited capsule collection, including t-shirts, a hoodie, and sweatpants, all emblazoned with powerful graphics and messages of change.
Shop the collection here.
