(NEW YORK – April 11, 2026) – When you think about Baltimore’s fashion scene, one name rises above the rest — Toni James.
The owner of Katwalk Boutique in Fells Point and founder of the Education Matters Program, Toni James will be honored at the Black Wall Street Awards: Chelsea on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 135 W. 20th Street, Suite 302, in New York City. And if anyone has earned a New York stage, it is her.
For more than two decades, Toni James has done what few in any industry manage to do — build something real, keep it rooted in community, and never stop evolving.
Baltimore’s Best Boutique — Year After Year
Katwalk Boutique is not just a store. It is a destination.
Located in the heart of Fells Point, the boutique has been recognized as Baltimore’s Best Boutique by Baltimore Magazine, Style Magazine, City Paper, and The Baltimore Sun for more than ten consecutive years. That is not luck. That is vision, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to the women she serves.
Toni’s philosophy is simple but powerful: empower women to embrace their uniqueness, prioritize quality and fit, and walk confidently in their personal style.
Under her leadership, Katwalk has become more than retail — it is a cultural hub where fashion, art, and community intersect.
From Fells Point to BET
Toni James has never stayed in one lane.
Her expertise as a stylist and fashion authority led to her role as a Style Expert on 106 & Park on BET, where she brought her signature eye for fashion and individuality to a national audience. She has styled thousands of clients, contributed to media publications, and built a reputation in editorial styling, personal branding, and high-fashion event production that extends well beyond Baltimore.
Education Matters: Where Fashion Meets Philanthropy
This is where Toni James separates herself.
Together with her husband, Justin James, she founded the Education Matters Program — a philanthropic initiative and internship program dedicated to Baltimore City youth. Through fashion workshops, school supplies, and confidence-building experiences, the program meets young people where they are — and lifts them higher.
At the center of this work is a partnership with the Shoes That Fit Program, ensuring children show up to school with brand-new shoes, dignity intact, and ready to learn.
To date, Toni and Justin have donated more than 5,000 pairs of new shoes and outerwear.
That number alone tells you who Toni James is when the cameras are off.
A Master’s from Hopkins — and a Mission to Match
Toni holds a Master’s degree from the School of Education at Johns Hopkins University — reinforcing what she has long understood: fashion and education are not separate worlds. They are tools for empowerment.
She and Justin offer free leadership workshops and seminars to local colleges and dedicate time to organizations like Aziaza and Jack and Jill, both committed to developing young leaders in the African American community.
Through Katwalk’s Annual Charity Mother’s Day Brunch, Toni has also partnered with LOHM (Ladies of Hope Ministries) to support women and girls impacted by the criminal justice system.
That kind of work speaks volumes.
A Runway That Leads Back to Community
Toni James produces runway shows, styles high-profile clients, and creates platforms that connect designers, artists, and entrepreneurs.
But every runway she builds leads back to the same place: community.
She is a living example of what happens when entrepreneurship is driven by purpose — when a business owner asks not just How do I grow my brand? But how do I use my brand to uplift others?
That is the Black Wall Street spirit.
And that is exactly why Toni James belongs in this class of honorees.
The Black Wall Street Awards: Chelsea takes place Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 135 W. 20th Street, Suite 302, New York City.
For more information, visit BMORENews.com.
Doni Glover is the founder and publisher of BMORENews.com, now in its 24th year covering Black Baltimore, and the founder of the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards, now in its 15th year. He is also the host of the Emmy-nominated Doni Glover podcast and The Doni Glover Show on WMAR-TV 2.
