Dressed for Success: Jamal Carter ’22

Senior Jamal Carter ’22 partners with Office of Personal and Professional Development to launch his own clothing line

Jamal Carter ’22 threw Nell DeVito a look of confusion: Had the director of MBU’s Office of Personal and Professional Development really just advised him to start a business?

It was the spring of 2019 and the fashion savvy business major had been raving about designer Malik Jarrett’s indie clothing line, EAT. The acronym, explained Carter, stood for Elevate All the Time, and was meant to be aspirational. He loved Jarrett’s positive messaging and commitment to funneling proceeds into a nonprofit that helped at-risk Washington, D.C., youths.

Did DeVito think Carter could do something similar in the future?

“She told me not to wait, to do it now,” said Carter. But he was just 19 years old: “I knew nothing about running a business, much less [launching] a clothing line.”

DeVito chuckled. She’d been working with Carter at the Vantage Point, the university’s student-focused personal and professional development lab, for two years. There Carter held the title of peer career coach and helped facilitate programming around professional profile development. He worked with students to identify marketable skill sets, draft resumes and cover letters, prep for interviews, and more. DeVito knew he’d be successful if he took the leap.

She suggested he take things one step at a time. They started with discussing the brand.

Carter had sketched out an acronym based on a metaphorical interpretation of the word “hungry.” HVNGRY stood for Humility, Unfolds, Nonchalant, Gleeful, Relentless, Youngins. Bold, graffiti-style letters slashed across a backdrop of jagged claw marks. Carter envisioned young people internalizing the brand, projecting its identity as it reflected theirs: Donning the emblazoned t-shirts, sweatpants, hooded jackets, backpacks, and hats would be part mantra, part mission statement.

“I want to inspire young individuals to achieve their goals and aspirations in life,” said Carter. It’s about “understanding you can do anything as long as you keep putting your best foot forward, work hard, and refuse to give up.”

Jamal Carter ’22

DeVito was impressed. She advised Carter around business planning, sourcing materials, securing a manufacturer, setting prices, establishing a website and social media presence, and more. She and Vantage Point assistant director, Lindsey Walsh, helped him connect with local entrepreneurs for Q&As.

“Jamal took every resource we gave him and ran with it,” said DeVito. “His drive, determination, and willingness to put in the long hours to achieve his dream — it’s been so inspiring to witness.”

By fall 2019 the first HVNGRY t-shirts were shipping to customers. When MBU students discovered Carter’s brand, many became supporters. He parlayed the enthusiasm to get feedback on how to best expand the line.

“Now you see MBU students wearing HVNGRY attire all the time,” said DeVito. In less than two years Carter has “created a growing business that’s becoming more and more financially successful by the day.”

Better still, he’s using the experience to inspire fellow students. Carter is now developing an educational YouTube series centered around talks with regional Black business leaders for the Vantage Point.

“There are a lot of underrepresented Black entrepreneurs that deserve recognition for their hard work,” said Carter. And their advice can be invaluable for aspiring young entrepreneurs.

“Starting your own business isn’t easy,” Carter continued. “There are times where you’re gonna struggle, but persevering through those situations will only make you better, stronger, and more successful in the long run.”