“We are thrilled to be recognized by the Jay Chiat Awards for our work to accelerate Houston White’s incredible vision to turn his North Minneapolis barbershop into a uniting force for cultural progress,” said Katie Anderson, EVP, brand strategy, Colle McVoy. “Houston is not just in the business of barbering or fashion design. He is in the business of uplifting new and different voices to build a more intercultural world. To embody this conviction, we designed a powerful new brand in his namesake: Houston White.”

In 2007, White founded Houston White Men’s Room, or HWMR, in the Camdentown neighborhood of North Minneapolis, an underfunded and historically racially segregated area of the city. When Colle McVoy and 10 Thousand Design partnered with him in late 2019, he had a big vision to create an inclusive celebration of Black culture through the business he had built. The agencies’ branding and design experts worked to build a brand and took his business to the next level. Through deep insights and brand exploration, they developed a strategic platform fueled by the insight that style is much more than how you look. Style is your voice. It reflects who you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re going. And the voices of so many people, especially communities of color, must be raised. What began as a small business is now positioned for incredible growth.

Winners were announced at the virtual Jay Chiat Awards ceremony on Sept. 13 as part of the 4A’s StratFest 2021 conference. Colle McVoy has been recognized by the Jay Chiat Awards in the past, including two silver awards for Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism in 2019.

About the 4A’s Jay Chiat Awards

Now in its 25^th year, the Jay Chiat Awards recognize the best strategic thinking in marketing, media and advertising around the world. Winners show that great strategies lead to ideas that engage us, move us to action, and even change the way we see the world. For more information: visit stratfest.aaaa.org.