SOLEcial Studies is OSD's Footwear Industry Education Program

Welcome to where your professional sneaker industry journey begins!

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Thank you Footwear Plus for spreading the word about the opening of the SOLEcial Studies CommUNITY Academy (Page 10)

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SOLEcial Studies co-founder Sean Williams teaches the history of sneakers

Sean Williams is the co-founder of Obsessive Sneaker Disorder and SOLEcial Studies. Williams is dedicated to teaching the history of sneaker

Great interview with Malik Brown of Rolling Out about SOLEcial Studies. Thank you Malik and I look forward to us talking again soon!

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Here’s what some of our past students who are now working professionally in the industry have had to say about their SOLEcial Studies experience.

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((WORLD PREMIERE)) KICKS, KIDS & COPS (2022) 

 A documentary short produced by Sean Williams of Obsessive Sneaker Disorder/SOLEcial Studies which captures OG sneaker lover, police officer Zoe Strunkey 's NYPD Sneaker SOLEcial exhibition and community town hall style discussion. THE GOAL..use sneakers to bridge the gap and foster a better relationship between officers and the youth they interact with in Brooklyn communities. 

 The result..well, you'll have to watch find out. 

 Special shout to DJ Ryno for providing the soundtrack for the day! 

 Filmed and edited by Baba Khid!

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Check Out SOLEcial Studies in action from the 2018 / 2019 academic year at Drexel University in Phildelphia, PA. 

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SOLEcial Studies In Action

Julius E. Sprauve School (St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands)

Mott Hall Bridges Academy (Brownsville, Brooklyn)

Asics Store (Toronto Ontario, Canada)

Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)

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What is SOLEcial Studies?

This class is the integrated study of the sneaker industry from past, current and future human behavior and interactions, as well as the business and culture of sneakers.

The ultimate goal of SOLEcial Studies is to educate and empower more minorities and women to seek careers in the sneaker industry. An industry which like others, has a severe lack of diversity in its ranks.

In this course, we will look at athletic footwear (sneakers) in a way that takes you far beyond that brand new cool looking sneaker that was just put in the store window. This course will highlight the varied and numerous ways people have affected the athletic footwear business and vice versa. By the end of the course, we will have provided an innovative approach to learning and you will never look at sneakers that same way again. The 3 Things we want YOU to take away from the SOLEcial Studies Program: (1) Smarter Consumers- Who don't fall for any story brands make up or settle for any level of quality brands try to sell as "superior" to what you've currently seen on the market. (2) Entrepreneurship- We aim to encourage you to find your niche or follow through on an idea or service you feel may be missing from the sneaker industry. This class is a stellar example of that! (3) Jobs in the Corporate Sector- The athletic footwear business is made of corporations which are similar in structure to companies in other industries. That means there are "similar" jobs at these companies just as the ones in other industries. We will share some of these with you so that you can see the various ways (besides design and retail positions) that can give you an inroad to the world of sneakers on a professional level. Good luck with your SOLE Journey!

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How SOLEcial Studies Began

SOLEcial Studies was established on 2011 by Sean Williams and Dee Wells of OSD (Obsessive Sneaker Disorder). The program was created after a few years of Sean and Dee hosting a weekly podcast (also known as OSD) and then coming to the realization through examining the feedback of fans and listeners that they were actually teaching people about the athletic footwear business. Thanks to some motivation, inspiration, and encouragement from some of their friends in the footwear industry the program was created.

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The Three Missions of SOLEcial Studies..

First, to raise the awareness and standards of what a sneaker lover considers a “quality” sneaker worth the price they are asking.

The second, is to get students to think about creating their own business related to the sneaker industry.

The third mission is to teach sneaker lovers about the various jobs that exist within the corporate structure of the sneaker business.

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What happens when the experience is OVER?

Raised Standards- that will make the students smarter consumers who expect higher quality footwear

Mentorship- from all the teachers and administrators, or partners of the program

Resources- to assist them with starting their own footwear related business (if they chose to), and investing on footwear related stocks

A Letter of Recommendation- written for any student who applies for a job IN THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY (if they chose to)

First Consideration for Jobs, Internships, and/or other educational opportunities offered by affiliated partners of OSD and SOLEcial Studies

Shopping Discounts- from retailers who are promotional partners of the SOLEcial Studies program

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How do we achieve our mission(s)?

The curriculum is created in a way that puts each student on a unique path from how they fell in love with sneakers in the first place. We also demonstrate how they could possibly end up in a real life situation. This situation could lead to a student actually launching their own business or landing a job with a footwear related company. We employ the use of our course lectures, in class exercises, assignments, and the occasional guest speaker who is invited to come speak about a related topic to help us achieve our mission(s).