FLINT, Michigan — When Lee Grant Allen and his partners founded
BAU-HŌUSE in 2021, they did so with a vision that the streetwear store would also become a vehicle for uplifting and providing new opportunities for young people in Flint and the surrounding areas.
The campaign entitled ‘The Youth Will Lead US,’ will be a series of events kicking off with a private pop-up shopping event from noon-4 p.m. on Saturday, November 19.
The creative marketing for this event is being led by photographer Jenifer Veloso, videographer Morgan Andrew, owner Grant Allen, and Flint United Team basketball owner Kevin Mays. Mays played a vital role in bridging the gap between BAU-HŌUSE and the ‘Just Don’ All-City Collection.
Several Flint teens were called upon to participate in multiple photo and video shoots related to the campaign. These shoots helped the teens to develop a deeper understanding of content production, photography, videography, and set design.
BAU-HŌUSE will be providing free clothing from a Foot Locker featured collection for young people ages 16-24 during the event. But it won’t be just a giveaway – Allen and Mays wanted to have participants get a full shopping experience.
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Flint youth pose in Buckham Alley of downtown Flint during a shoot for BAU-HOUSE's ‘The Youth Will Lead US’ campaign.“We want them to actually get to come into the store, look at what is available, and pick out their own clothes,” Allen said. “We felt it was important to make this an empowering and welcoming event.”
BAU-HŌUSE will be transformed for the event, with the clothing displayed and organized on racks as if participants were shopping and picking out their own clothes. There will also be light refreshments and other programming, including an appearance by former Michigan State and Flint Northwestern basketball star and NBA veteran Morris Peterson.
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Flint youth pose outside of BAU-HOUSE in downtown Flint during a shoot for the ‘The Youth Will Lead US’ campaign.
‘Just Don’ is a sportswear clothing line that is sold at Foot Locker and at other various retailers around the country. Sizes and quantities are limited, so people interested in participating are required to
pre-register using EventBrite to ensure items will be available in the right size.
The event will kick off what Allen hopes is an even larger campaign led by BAU-HŌUSE to become a community hub capable of attracting more retailers to Flint and providing more opportunities for young people to get access to resources and learn new skills.
Other events in the works later this year include a panel discussion on November 26 that will feature industry professionals who are part of the creative ecosystem. These individuals will be sharing knowledge and expertise with the youth and other community members.
On December 10, BAU-HŌUSE will host a Designer Exhibit, with a group of kids learning about fashion and design. They will create their own shirts and do a mini-exhibit of the work they come up with. More details on those events will be shared as they near closer.
“This whole series of events is about educating the youth about art-centric industries, all through the lens of philanthropy and giving back,” Allen said. “Knowledge is the true gift we’re trying to share.”
More information is available online. BAU-HŌUSE is located at 511 Buckham Alley in downtown Flint.
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