In honor of Black Business Month, The Exclusive Press is proud to recognize ICAN Clothes, a Black- and veteran-owned clothing brand based in North Carolina that is making waves in fashion while inspiring the next generation.
Kelsey Battle founded ICAN Clothes with the empowering message “I Can Achieve Now.” The brand merges fashion with purpose, creating apparel that fosters resilience, confidence, and individuality, as reported to Strategic Engagement Weekly. Each piece carries affirmations such as “I CAN build the FUTURE,” “I CAN lead,” and “I CAN rise,” serving as both style statements and daily reminders of empowerment.
Meet the founder of ICAN Clothes, Kelsey Battle; Courtesy of ICAN Clothes/INSTAGRAM
ICAN’s journey is as powerful as its message. Battle traces the brand’s origins back to a profound moment in 1999 while watching news coverage of the Columbine High School shooting. The news of the school shooting was unprecedented at the time. A message he heard from evangelist Billy Graham that day while flipping the channels included the words “I CAN do all things through Christ,” planting the seed for what would later become ICAN Clothes—a brand rooted in positivity, self-belief, and community uplift.
Fast forward to the present, ICAN has expanded its influence beyond apparel. The company has participated in major fashion events, including the New York Fashion Show, while also giving back through scholarships and community initiatives. Most recently, ICAN made its debut at the Children’s Show in New York City (July 27–28), unveiling a new children’s apparel line designed to affirm confidence from the playground to the classroom.
ICAN Clothes is a fashion brand, founded in 1999, designed for both women and men.; Courtesy of ICAN Clothes
With roots in community activism, military discipline, and cultural pride, ICAN Clothes continues to evolve while remaining committed to its core purpose: inspiring individuals of all ages to believe in themselves and their potential.
As Black Business Month reminds us, supporting brands like ICAN Clothes means more than purchasing clothing—it means investing in a movement that uplifts, empowers, and builds the future.
For more on ICAN Clothes, visit www.icanclothes.com or follow @icanclothes on social media.
