(NEW YORK — April 2, 2026) — In the heart of Manhattan’s Chelsea district, the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards will honor Baltimore-based fashion designer, author, and entrepreneur Jody Davis — founder of Jody Davis Designs — as she celebrates 15 years in business.
The moment is both timely and intentional.
“This is a natural progression,” said BMORENews publisher Doni Glover. “We honored Kevin Scott for his 25th anniversary. Now, it’s only right that we celebrate Jody. She runs her own enterprise — and she’s been doing it for 15 years. Given her love for New York and Chelsea, it’s befitting to honor her where fashion rules.”
A Powerhouse Partnership
Jody Davis is the partner of Kevin Scott of Benedetto Haberdashery — one of Baltimore’s most respected names in men’s fashion. Together, they are Baltimore’s First Couple of Fashion.
But make no mistake: Jody is a force in her own right.
He dresses the men.
She dresses the women.
Together, they represent a rare example of dual Black-owned fashion enterprises operating at a high level — elevating both style and standard in Baltimore and beyond.
Built — Not Given
Jody Davis’s journey reflects the very spirit of Black Wall Street.
She started designing after work — nights and weekends — without investors, industry connections, or a roadmap. Just vision and discipline.
That discipline led her to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a career at Neiman Marcus, and eventually entrepreneurship.
But the road wasn’t smooth.
After launching her brand, economic challenges forced her to pivot into the mortgage industry — for seven years — while keeping her fashion dream alive.
That’s the part most people don’t see.
When she opened her boutique at 110 W. Saratoga Street in Baltimore, she didn’t just launch a store — she brought decades of experience, resilience, and clarity.
Today, Jody Davis Designs stands on a simple but powerful philosophy:
Fit. Fashion. Function.
Authoring the Blueprint
What many may not know is that Jody Davis is also an author — and a serious one.
Her 2025 book, Beyond the Hemlines: Insider Secrets for Building a Legacy Fashion Brand, is more than a fashion book — it’s a business manual.
It breaks down:
- sourcing materials
- pricing strategy
- brand positioning
- direct-to-consumer growth
- surviving economic downturns
This isn’t theory. It’s lived experience.
Her second book, Make It Yours: How to Create the Life You Love from A to Z, expands her message beyond fashion — into purpose, ownership, and intentional living.
Why Chelsea Matters
There’s symbolism in this moment.
Chelsea is where fashion, art, and culture intersect at the highest level. It is a place where excellence is expected.
Jody Davis belongs in that room.
From Paris fabric markets to Baltimore’s Saratoga Street, her journey reflects global exposure with local impact — a combination that defines true brand builders.
15 Years Is Not Luck
Fifteen years in business is not accidental.
It is:
- discipline
- sacrifice
- pivots under pressure
- staying committed when it would’ve been easier to quit
Jody Davis didn’t just build a brand.
She built something that lasts.
And that is exactly what Black Wall Street is about.
Event Details
Black Wall Street CHELSEA
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
135 W. 20th Street, Suite 302
New York, NY
