Why iRIZE?
This is the first of my columns. I thought it was a question that needed to be answered. Why iRIZE? My first response is why not iRIZE? There are hundreds of clothing lines that cater to one particular group or another. There are few that have universal appeal. We wanted to create a line that had universal appeal. Why iRIZE? As parents and citizens of the universe, the name iRIZE says all we want to say and needed to say. Let’s face it, our world is complicated. Our children, friends, lovers, and relatives compete against a variety of messages inundating our brains with images and suggestions that may not be appropriate or conducive to achievement or supportive of unity, charity, love, and individuality. iRIZE offers a single word and logo that transcends all negativity and focuses on those traits.iRIZE cherishes the  individuals ability to overcome and rise above expectations, be it one of  their own making or one imposed on by an unforgiving society often hostile and biased.

Why  iRIZE? My mother said, "I like the way that sounds" That’s why. Actually, iRIZE is dedicated in part to my mother and all the mothers out there who pray for their children. iRIZE is for mothers who teach lessons through sacrifice and by example. iRIZE is for mothers who  instill pride in young hearts and discipline in young minds. iRIZE is for mothers who understood about the tribe and the villages long before Hillary made popular and demonstrated  a sense of unity and community. iRIZE is for mothers who believe in God and remind us all about our souls.

iRIZE is for  fathers who will be asked many questions from young inquisitive minds. For  fathers who work hard and maintain their own and often someone else's in a time when so many do not. It's for the fathers who plan futures for their children. iRIZE is for the fathers who lose a child to the streets, so that they, if not the child,  may rise again and keep another from falling. That why iRIZE.

iRIZE is for teens and young adults. So many choices to make; we want them to make conscious choices. Teens have so many decisions to make. We want them to make informed decisions. They have so many experiences to try. We want them to enjoy life but be knowledgeable about the consequences of their actions. Children have so much future to plan for. We want them to set goals, establish priorities, and take responsibility for their future. iRIZE is for the young ladies who can remain ladies even when the pressure is on. iRIZE is for the young men who can prove their impending manhood by not proving anything at all. iRIZE is for dating responsibly, and for demonstrating respect and restraint. iRIZE is for the teens who got it going on in more ways than one and are in control.

Finally, iRIZE was and is an expression of the love, respect, support and admiration we have for each other and for all the people who ever help any of us overcome any obstacle or face any challenge. iRIZE is really "WE RIZE." It’s about what we decided to do to make the statements we thought were important and support the groups we believed were making a difference. Why iRIZE; because we rise as individuals first, one I at a time.