“This partnership marks an ongoing chapter to offer the next generation of creative thinkers and dreamers the skills to shape the future of design. Despite someone’s background or economic standing, kids bold enough to dream big should be provided with equitable access to education,” said Edwards, PENSOLE founder. PENSOLE was established in 2010 by Edwards to give talented young design students — regardless of socioeconomic background — an opportunity to learn from the industry’s best, according to a press release.

This past fall, in partnership with the USC Iovine and Young Academy, students participated in a series of “Wood U” workshops, working with adidas and Inglewood native, D Smoke to design an apparel and footwear line driven by longevity, ambition, power and love, that will launch in select LA stores on Feb. 7.

The Iovine and Young Academy was founded by Jimmy Iovine and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young in 2013 to give young, creative disruptors the tools and inspiration to develop as leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs. In partnership with Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will launch a new high school, currently known as Regional High School #1, whose curriculum will build on the Academy’s unique approach that combines design, business, and technology with hands-on, real-world learning. Together with adidas and PENSOLE, the partnership will give young students of color who are passionate about design unparalleled access to future careers and opportunities.