Aurora James

Speaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker Rating
5 out of 5

Founder of Brother Vellies, Creator of Fifteen Percent Pledge, Fashion Designer

Travels From Travels From:
New York, NY, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
REQUEST BOOKING INFORMATION

Aurora James Biography

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.

Aurora James Videos

  • Aurora James | TIME100 Talks
    Aurora James, founder of Brother Vellies and the newly-formed 15 Percent Pledge, wants big business to move beyond performative allyship and create...
  • Aurora James on the 15 Percent Pledge
    As protests demanding racial justice galvanized the nation, Aurora James, founder and creative director of Brother Vellies, devised her own...
  • Sustainability in Fashion with Brother Vellies founder, Aurora James
    The Hand of Fashion Guest speaker: Aurora James — Founder, Brother Vellies Designer Aurora James will discuss sustainability in design and the...

FAQs on booking Aurora James

  • How do I book Aurora James to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Aurora James for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Aurora James, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Aurora James or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Aurora James

    Speaking fees for Aurora James, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Aurora James are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Aurora James, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Aurora James speak about?

    Aurora James is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Black Heritage, Design, Diversity & Inclusion, Fashion, Social Activism, Women, Women in Business.
  • Where does Aurora James travel from?

    Aurora James generally travels from New York, NY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Aurora James’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Aurora James for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Aurora James for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Aurora James or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Aurora James is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Aurora James for your event is $30,000 - $50,000. Aurora James generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Ruth E. Carter, Elaine Welteroth, Jennifer Hyman, Lisa Leslie and Giuliana Rancic. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Aurora James for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.

  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP