Aurora James

Aurora James, Creative Director and Founder of luxury accessories brand Brother Vellies and the non-profit advocacy organization Fifteen Percent Pledge, has persistently worked towards creating a more equitable global economy for historically excluded groups.

Brother Vellies, established in 2013, strives to preserve traditional African design practices and techniques. The brand supports artisan communities worldwide by creating timeless pieces that celebrate diverse cultural histories and ensure fair labor practices and job creation. Initially launched with a single style of vellies at the Hester Street Fair in New York, Brother Vellies now features a global handmade production that includes handbags and other accessory categories, even introducing a home goods subscription service named Something Special.

In June 2020, James launched the Fifteen Percent Pledge, an advocacy initiative to address the racial wealth gap. The Pledge partners with retailers to commit 15 percent of their purchasing power to Black-owned businesses. Beginning as an Instagram campaign, it has evolved into a robust organization with ten full-time staff and partnerships with nearly 30 major companies, including Macy’s, Nordstrom, Sephora, and Ulta Beauty. The organization's goal is to facilitate $1.4 trillion in wealth generation for Black entrepreneurs and increase Black business representation by 14.6 percent by 2030.

James's relentless advocacy efforts have earned her significant recognition, including the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Founders Award. She has been featured in prestigious listings such as the 2021 TIME100 and the 2020 Bloomberg 50, acknowledging her influential work.

Currently residing in both New York City and Los Angeles, James continues her advocacy and entrepreneurial endeavors, accompanied by her dog, Mr. Chow.