How Ruth E. Carter, PLC Detroit, and adidas Are Rewriting Access for the Next Generation of Black Designers

The two-time Oscar-winning costume designers’ unique approach to Afrofuturism

Ruth E. Carter

Throughout a career spanning more than three decades, costume designer Ruth E. Carter has shaped how Black stories are seen around the world. From “Malcolm X” to “Black Panther” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” her work has never simply been about clothing. It has been about identity, culture, history, and visibility.

Now, through a new collaboration with Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design (PLC Detroit) and adidas, Carter is helping open another door — this time for the next generation of Black creatives trying to find their place in the design industry.

The launch of the **RUTH E. CARTER MASTERCLASS by ADIDAS l ePLC** is bigger than a digital course. It reflects a growing shift in how creative education is being delivered, who gets access to it, and who is finally being centered in the conversation.

While many conversations around equity in fashion and entertainment remain centered on visibility, this initiative pushes the discussion further — toward real opportunity.

Hosted through ePLC — the online learning platform developed by PLC Detroit in partnership with eHBCU.edu — the masterclass gives aspiring creatives direct access to one of the most influential costume designers in modern film history. And notably, it does so through Michigan’s only HBCU and the nation’s only design-focused HBCU.

That distinction matters.For years, Black creatives have helped shape global culture while remaining underrepresented in the rooms where major design decisions are made. Access to industry mentorship, specialized education, and high-level creative networks has often been limited — especially for students who could not afford traditional fashion schools or lacked industry connections.

This collaboration challenges that model. Instead of gatekeeping information, the program places it directly into the hands of students nationwide through digital learning. The four-part course explores storytelling, character development, costume design, and world-building through Carter’s lens — giving students insight into both the artistic and strategic thinking behind her work.

More importantly, it allows students to learn from someone who understands what it means to navigate the industry while carrying the responsibility of cultural representation.

That is part of what makes this partnership feel timely. Under the leadership of Dr. D’Wayne Edwards — the former Nike and Jordan Brand designer and president of PLC Detroit — the institution has continued building programs that connect education directly to industry access. Over the last several years, PLC Detroit has partnered with major brands and cultural leaders to rethink what creative education can look like when barriers are intentionally removed.

This latest collaboration continues that mission, and it arrives during a larger moment where conversations around Black creativity are evolving beyond aesthetics and into ownership, sustainability, and long-term career development.

The fashion, footwear, and entertainment industries have historically benefited from Black influence while often failing to invest proportionately in Black talent pipelines. Programs like this begin addressing that imbalance by connecting students directly with leaders who have already broken through those barriers.

There is also something powerful about the symbolism behind this partnership itself. A two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer; a global athletic brand; and an HBCU built specifically around design education. Together, they are creating something that feels less like a marketing activation and more like a blueprint.

Because for many aspiring designers, the biggest challenge is not talent. It is access to mentorship, professional networks, and real industry insight — the kind that helps creative careers grow beyond potential into sustainability.

Ruth E. Carter understands that reality firsthand. Her legacy has already changed how Black storytelling is presented on screen. But through this masterclass, her influence extends beyond film and into education — helping young creatives understand not only how to design, but how to think, research, build narratives, and see themselves inside industries that have not always made room for them.

And perhaps that is what makes this collaboration most important. It isn’t simply teaching students how to create costumes. It’s showing them that their ideas, perspectives, and stories belong in the room.