Travis Scott launches the Cactus Jack Foundation, a collaboration with Parsons School of Design.
By Michael Pincus.
Three years ago, the city of Houston, Texas declared November 18 “Travis Scott Day” to honor 29-year-old Texas-born rapper and six-time Grammy nominee Travis Scott. To celebrate the third anniversary of this local holiday, Scott has launched the Cactus Jack Foundation, a collaboration with Parsons School of Design, to make fashion education accessible for high school students.
The New School’s Parsons School of Design is helping Scott’s foundation develop a curriculum to provide fashion design education to Houston youth via My Brother’s Keeper, a local 501(c)(3) social services nonprofit. The curriculum will also be available to young people nationwide via an online certification program with scholarships.
Parsons has been consistently ranked the United States’s top art and design school, currently teaching over 5,100 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Scott’s fashion credits include modeling last year’s Dior and Jordan Brand joint collection and collaborating with McDonald’s for a limited line of apparel.
“Parsons is proud to partner with Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Foundation to bring fashion education to high school students who have traditionally been underrepresented in creative disciplines,” Rachel Schreiber, Executive Dean of Parsons School of Design said. “Parsons and Travis Scott share a deep commitment to educating young designers who are just beginning their exploration of fashion and design. We are excited to collaborate with the Cactus Jack Foundation to offer this immersive course led by Parsons’ award-winning faculty.”
The Cactus Jack Foundation is also introducing the HBCU Waymon Webster Scholarship program, named after Scott’s grandfather, who attended Prairie View A&M University, a public historically Black university. This program aims to help students in difficult financial situations to afford college tuition costs. The Waymon Webster Scholarship beneficiaries were personally selected by Scott, and attend Morehouse College, Howard University, Texas Southern University, Grambling State University, and Prairie View A&M.
Other projects covered by Scott’s foundation include a partnership with the city of Houston across Parks and Education and the creation of Cactus Jack Gardens, an agricultural education program for local elementary school students.
“Investing in our youth is one of the most important things we can do for our city,” Houston’s Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “Education and mentorship equip young people with the skills they need for a successful career path. I am grateful that Travis is partnering with the City of Houston to support our nationally-recognized My Brother’s Keeper program, which provides support for boys and young men of color.”
