Fashion at the Library: Sole Power: Sneaker Culture and the American Stor

Earlier this week, my sister-in-love invited me to an incredible event at the Library of Congress: Fashion at the Library: Sole Power: Sneaker Culture and the American Story.

The event was hosted by Jared Moskowitz, whose passion for sneakers goes far beyond collecting them. As a lifelong sneaker enthusiast, he helped found the Congressional Sneaker Caucus to bring people together over a shared appreciation for sneaker culture. The caucus was created as a bipartisan space where members of Congress can connect through a common interest while recognizing how sneakers intersect with fashion, business, innovation, sports, and American culture. It's a reminder that sometimes the things we have in common can open the door to conversations that go beyond politics.

What made the event stand out was the diverse backgrounds of the panelists. Each speaker brought a unique perspective shaped by their own experiences in design, education, manufacturing, retail, and advocacy.

D'Wayne Edwards shared his inspiring journey from designing shoes for some of the world's biggest brands to creating opportunities for the next generation of Black creatives. Through Pensole Lewis College and JEMS by PENSOLE (one of the first Black-owned athletic footwear factories in the United States) he is helping aspiring designers learn the craft, manufacture their own products, and build sustainable careers. His work is creating pathways that didn't exist for many young Black designers just a generation ago.

Sean Williams, co-founder of SOLEcial Studies, spoke about using sneaker culture as an educational tool. His work demonstrates how something as familiar as a pair of sneakers can open conversations about history, design, business, marketing, and culture, making learning more engaging and relevant for young people.

Matt Priest, President and CEO of the Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA), offered valuable insight into the footwear industry's economic impact, manufacturing, retail, policy, and the future of the business. His perspective highlighted how sneakers are not just fashion,  they're a major driver of innovation and the American economy.

Presented in partnership with the Congressional Sneaker Caucus, the event explored how sneaker culture has become a powerful form of self-expression while also shaping American industry and entrepreneurship.

I left with a greater appreciation for everything that goes into the shoes we wear every day, not just the design and technology, but the stories, history, and people behind them. All the speakers spoke about how sneaker Culture shaped there childhood and how it wasn't just about getting a sneaker that everyone else had but about figuring out a way to individualize the sneaker to make it your own. It was one of those events where you walk away having learned something new from every person on the stage.

Teacher Can't Do It Alone: Why Parenting Still Matters

Teachers can't do it alone. If parents aren't parenting, it makes our job exponentially harder. It truly takes a village to raise a child, and children thrive most when the adults in their lives are working together.

Learning doesn't stop when a child leaves the classroom. Children are constantly learning from what they see, hear, and experience at home, in school, and in their communities. That's why consistency matters. When the expectations, routines, and values being taught at school are reinforced at home, children are more likely to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

One of the biggest parenting trends right now is "gentle parenting." The problem is that many people misunderstand what gentle parenting actually means. Being gentle doesn't mean having no rules, no consequences, or letting children do whatever they want. Too often, people focus on the gentle part and forget the parenting part.

Many parents don't even realize they have a parenting style. Research has identified four main parenting styles:

• Authoritative – Warm, responsive, and supportive while also setting clear expectations and consistent boundaries. These parents guide, teach, and hold children accountable.

• Authoritarian – Strict and demanding, with an emphasis on obedience. Rules are enforced with little discussion, warmth, or flexibility.

• Permissive – Loving and accepting but lacking structure and consistent boundaries. Children are often given significant freedom with few expectations.

• Uninvolved – Detached and minimally engaged. These parents provide little guidance, supervision, or emotional support.

Of the four, research consistently shows that the authoritative parenting style produces the best outcomes for most children. It balances love with limits, support with accountability, and freedom with responsibility. Children need warmth, but they also need boundaries. They need understanding, but they also need guidance. The goal isn't to be your child's best friend...it's to be the parent they need while helping them become successful, capable, and responsible adults.

We often mistake the loudest voice in the room for the strongest leader.

We often mistake the loudest voice in the room for the strongest leader. But history shows that our obsession with “alpha” charisma is relatively new. For generations, people were valued more for character than performance, integrity over image, substance over self-promotion.

Somewhere along the way, society shifted from rewarding inner virtue to rewarding outward personality. We started treating confidence as competence and visibility as value. The result? Many thoughtful, capable people are overlooked simply because they are quieter.

As educators, leaders, and professionals, we should challenge that mindset.

Not everyone with social anxiety lacks ability. Not every introvert lacks leadership skills. Sometimes the person with the fewest words is the one paying the closest attention, thinking the deepest, and leading with the most intention.

Look for the quiet substance on your team, not just the person with the polished elevator pitch. The best leaders don’t always dominate the room. Sometimes they create the kind of environment where everyone else can thrive.