WE ARE GRACIST.
Gracist is more than a brand. It's a community born out of relationship, the beautiful community of Niger.
Our Story
Stephen Jenkins is the founder and creative director of Gracist, a wearable art company born from a simple but radical idea: what if we put grace inside racism? Based in Richmond, Virginia, Gracist brings together American denim and traditional West African fabrics, handcrafted by artisans in Niger, to create pieces that carry story, history, and healing in every stitch.
Raised in Harlem, the seventh of eight children in a family rich in love if not material wealth, Stephen learned early that circumstances don't define a person. What you do with them does. His mother raised eight children, earned two degrees, and built a 40-year career as a nurse. That conviction became the foundation for Gracist: transforming fabric, history, and relationship into something that lifts people up.
Clothing was always part of it. As a boy he got his first suit jacket and loved it so much he wanted to sleep in it. He noticed early that people treat you differently depending on what you wear. Today he uses that knowledge the other way around: clothing that invites people to see the best in each other.
Grace + Racist.
The Gracist brand is a statement of rebellion, retribution, and healing. "Racist" is a negative word Stephen wanted to repurpose. "Grace" is the unearned mercy we give to one another. By human nature we default to assuming the worst about someone. Gracist is an invitation to rewire that thinking and bring out the best in people. To do that, you have to see the best in people, and so the clothing line was born.
How a piece is made
Gracist repurposes clothing Stephen buys here in the U.S.: denim, vintage Levi's, authentic military camo, leather. He ships it to Niger, where artisans take it apart and apply African cloth in an overlay. The pieces come home as one-of-a-kind wearable art.
Partnership, not charity.
Rather than offering charity, which can strip away dignity, we chose partnership: meaningful work that lets our artisans in Niger earn with pride through their own incredible talent.
Where you've seen us
As seen on CBS 6 Virginia This Morning. Shown at Craft + Design, the RVA Folk Festival, the Museum District Art Walk, the Coalescence Richmond Grand Opening, the Virginia Gateway Holiday Market, First Friday at Bar Solita, the GlassBoat Local Artist and Trunk Show, the Happily Naturally Festival, and more.
Join us as we seek to systematically change the fashion industry, one piece, one conversation, and one life at a time.
Grace and peace.