Bethann Hardison Keynote Speaker

Bethann Hardison, a trailblazing fashion activist and model, was born in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating from George W. Wingate High School, she pursued studies at the New York University Art School and the Fashion Institute of Technology. In the 1960s, Hardison began her career in New York City’s garment district as a saleswoman. Her path took a significant turn in 1967 when she was discovered by African American designer Willi Smith. Initially working as a fitting model for Smith, she soon transitioned to the runway and print modeling, breaking barriers alongside legends like Beverly Johnson, Iman, and Pat Cleveland in the 1970s. Hardison’s work graced the pages of Allure, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vogue. A standout moment in her modeling career was her participation in the 1973 international Versailles fashion showdown, where top American designers faced off against France’s best.

In 1980, Hardison joined the startup modeling agency Click as a booking agent, where she expanded her role to producing fashion shows, handling public relations for design houses, and contributing as an editor to several magazines. By 1981, driven by her concern for the politics of the fashion industry, Hardison shifted her focus from modeling to activism.

In 1984, she founded the Bethann Management Agency, dedicated to increasing diversity within the fashion industry. Partnering with her friend and fellow model Iman, Hardison co-founded the Black Girls Coalition in 1988, advocating for and supporting African American models. By 1996, her interests extended to television, where she co-executive produced the sitcoms Between Brothers and Livin’ Large. In 2010, Hardison took on the role of editor-at-large for Vogue Italia.

Throughout her career, Hardison’s contributions to modeling and advocacy have been widely recognized. In April 1999, she received the First Annual Vibe Style Lifetime Achievement Award, followed by a Distinguished Service Award from the Magic Johnson Foundation later that year. The Black Alumni of the Pratt Institute honored her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. In 2012, she was recognized with a Woman of Power Legacy Award from Black Enterprise, and in 2013, she was awarded the Frederick Douglass Award for her efforts in promoting diversity within the fashion industry.