In 2020 Ralph Lauren and Patrice Louvet, Ralph Lauren CEO made a series of commitments in an open letter to their staff. “We will examine how we portray the American Dream in the stories we tell, the creators we champion, the faces we elevate, the families we hero, and the media partners we support” read the newsletter. Holding true to their word the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation made a $2 million pledge in an effort to support scholarships for students at 12 historically Black colleges and universities according to Vogue.

In an unprecedented creative collaboration the brand announced the Polo Ralph Lauren Exclusively for Morehouse and Spelman Colleges Collection, arriving in stores and online in late March. This collection highlights the brands long association with campus inspired or “Ivy style” apparel through a new and refreshing lens.

According to Lauren: “This collection expresses he spirited history, deep sense of community and legacy of timeless dressing at historically Black colleges and universities.” Lauren continues: “It’s so much more than the portrayal of a collegiate design sensibility. It’s about sharing a more complete and authentic portrait of American style and the American dream – ensuring stories of Black life and experience are embedded in the inspiration and aspiration of our brand."

David A. Thomas, Ph.D., the president of Morehouse College says “Historically Black colleges and universities have uniquely been centers of both intellectual discourse and cultural influence for more than 150 years. The Morehouse partnership with Ralph Lauren intelligently, creatively, and boldly puts this intersection on full display.”