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Help BD Continue to Elevate Empower Educate

Blended Designs is a global lifestyle brand with a mission to Elevate, Empower, and Educate underestimated communities

$10,607
pledged of$50,000 goal
220
0Days Left

Project Description

How It Started

In March 2017, Casey Kelley's 8yr old son, Carter, came to her with what seemed like a simple request. He wanted a backpack with a character on it that looked like him "with brown skin". Unable to find one, Casey used her background as an insights and analytics professional in Consumer Product Goods to do research. She learned that less than 2% of the character backpacks in the market included children of color. Realizing there was a void that could be filled, she worked with her husband, Harvey, to create a line of backpacks under their company Blended Designs. Using Carter's face and the faces of other children in their family they developed ten characters affectionately known as The BDSquad featuring kids in different shades of melanin proclaiming a proud message of "I Can Do Anything". Shortly after launching, BD captured the attention of mega mompreneur Yandy Smith and the rest, as they say is history. Blended Designs has since been featured on The View, The Today Show and The Real. They have been recognized by major publications like Essence, Ebony, Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, Forbes and many more as the backpack of choice parents across the globe. Blended Designs has become the favorite amongst foundations like The Sean Anderson Foundation (Big Sean), SocialWorksChi (Chance the Rapper), The Golden State Warriors Foundation, The Girl Scouts of America, and many more. While kids love being able to see themselves, parents love the quality with reviews stating that the backpacks have been used for at least two school years. In an effort to give back, Harvey and Casey donated thousands of backpacks each school year to children in underserved communities. As part of the mission of Blended Designs to Elevate Empower Educate, the Kelleys have also helped first generation college students attend four year universities.

How It's Going

Blended Designs is primarily a backpack company with the majority of annual sales happening during the third quarter when families are shopping for back to school items. Like many businesses, the pandemic changed operations and sales for Blended Designs. With the majority of schools opting for virtual learning at the start of the 2020-2021 school year, parents were not in need of backpacks and did not have the normal "back to school" shopping. As a result, Blended Designs sales dropped to about 10% of the annual volume. Blended Designs has found it necessary to sell backpacks below cost in order to cover operating expenses. This means that funding to purchase new inventory is extremely low. Schools are all expected to return as normal which will turn things around for the company. But Blended Designs needs help purchasing inventory.

How To Help

Helping Blended Designs continue to empower our children is easy. DONATE by making a monetary contribution or DONATE by purchasing selecting a Blended Designs item.  Choose from one of the original backpacks or one of the brand new drawstring bags. These aren't your typical drawstring bags. Using the same approach to quality that has become signature with Blended Designs products, the drawstring bags are made with an extra thick fabric for optimal support. Perfect for summer.

Blended Designs thanks you for your continued support, love and more importantly prayers.

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

 

As of July 19th, all rewards will ship within 24 hours. Please make sure you include your address when you check out. Please add it to the Notes section. Thank you again for your support!

Kiane
07/26/2021
Joy Backpack
$500
07/24/2021
Monetary Contribution
$8
Beth Rubin
07/21/2021
Monetary Contribution
$40
Myrlene Joseph
07/21/2021
Joy Backpack
$45
Dee
07/21/2021
Zoe Drawstring Bag
$100
Jazzmine
07/21/2021
Joy Backpack
$45
Dominique Harris
07/20/2021
Joy Backpack
$45
Brandee Babineaux
07/20/2021
Joy Backpack
$45
07/20/2021
Joy Backpack
$45
Chanise Quisenberry
06/29/2021
Joy Backpack
$40
Monetary Contribution

Thank you for helping Blended Designs continue to empower children.

91 Supporters
Select this reward
45.00 USD
Joy Backpack

Features

  • Main compartment with an internal laptop/tablet sleeve
  • Internal zipper pocket
  • Front compartment with zipper
  • 2 side water bottle pockets
  • Padded back and straps
  • 600D Material (polyester)
70 Left
30 Supporters
Select this reward
45.00 USD
CJ Backpack

Features

  • Main compartment with an internal laptop/tablet sleeve
  • Internal zipper pocket
  • Front compartment with zipper
  • 2 side water bottle pockets
  • Padded back and straps
  • 600D Material (polyester)
88 Left
12 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Arin Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

12 Left
8 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Bryson Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

15 Left
5 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Carter Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

15 Left
5 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
CJ Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

17 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Joy Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

12 Left
8 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Kaylen Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

16 Left
4 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Langston Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

16 Left
4 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Nicee Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

10 Left
10 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Riley Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

17 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Zoe Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

11 Left
9 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Squad Goals Graduate

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

17 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Squad Goals Athletes Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

15 Left
5 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Black Professions Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

9 Left
11 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Grey Professions Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

17 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Maroon Professions Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

19 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Navy Professions Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

15 Left
5 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Jacksonville, FL
Created 1 Campaign
Lifestyle

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Thank you for helping Blended Designs continue to empower children.

91 Supporters
Select this reward
45.00 USD
Joy Backpack

Features

  • Main compartment with an internal laptop/tablet sleeve
  • Internal zipper pocket
  • Front compartment with zipper
  • 2 side water bottle pockets
  • Padded back and straps
  • 600D Material (polyester)
70 Left
30 Supporters
Select this reward
45.00 USD
CJ Backpack

Features

  • Main compartment with an internal laptop/tablet sleeve
  • Internal zipper pocket
  • Front compartment with zipper
  • 2 side water bottle pockets
  • Padded back and straps
  • 600D Material (polyester)
88 Left
12 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Arin Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

12 Left
8 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Bryson Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

15 Left
5 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Carter Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

15 Left
5 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
CJ Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

17 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Joy Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

12 Left
8 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Kaylen Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

16 Left
4 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Langston Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

16 Left
4 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Nicee Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

10 Left
10 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Riley Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

17 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Zoe Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

11 Left
9 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Squad Goals Graduate

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

17 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Squad Goals Athletes Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

15 Left
5 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Black Professions Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

9 Left
11 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Grey Professions Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

17 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Maroon Professions Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

19 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Navy Professions Drawstring Bag

New Drawstring Bags feature superior fabric with the quality Blended Designs is known for

15 Left
5 Supporters
Select this reward