Meet Kesa McLaurin: Creator & Designer of Heirtage Socks

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kesa McLaurin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kesa, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I saw that there was a need for the African Diaspora to be displayed on socks. I found that you could find many other cultural socks but none that include Black and Brown people. This inspired me to create what is now known as Heirtage Socks.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
If I was asked when I was 13 if I would become a creative director of a company or the owner of a sock company I would have thought that it was far fetched because I didn’t think that I was actually an artist. When I think about how I got here I have to think about my passion on Kennesaw State Universities. Being a part of the African American Student Alliance really ignited a flame in me to voice my craft through art. I was able to create events, challenge myself creatively, and set the foundation for my creative career. Finding where my voice was most needed and how to display that was the hardest part. I knew that I loved the African Diaspora and that I loved to teach people about our people but I never knew that I wanted to be the owner of a sock company. I’ve learned that the stories that I’m trying to tell are important and necessary to ensure that our stories are not watered down and that we continue to document our own history. I want the world to know that Heirtage is a cool sock company but most importantly we are a educational sock company and the overall goal is to tell the stories of our people.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First up: breakfast at the Gathering Spot! I love getting my work day started here and bringing my friends to experience the black magic that is going on there. Next up: A trip to the High. What’s a visit to ATL without seeing The High Museum. Quick Grab: Lunch at a black owned restaurant. (My fav is …….. SO many to choose from so I would just play it by ear but more than likely Pascals) Next up: A tour of Auburn Ave. There is so much important history there. I would not be myself if I didn’t take someone there. Wrap Up: (covid freely) Fire in my backyard! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my family. Throughout my life time they saw that I was interested in African American history and made sure I was given the tools to learn as much as I possibly could. I can remember my mom giving me money for the school book fair so that I could purchase a Frederick Douglass book. Or that time she took me to California and made sure we visited the Willie Mays statue. I can remember my aunt Pat taking me to the Dr. King center when I was 10 and my grandmother gifting me a series of Black America books when I was 7. These are just a few of the many memories I have of my family pouring into me so that I could become the person I am today.

Website: www.heirtagesocks.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/heirtagesocks

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/heirtagesocks

Facebook: www.facebook.com/heirtagesocks

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Z6SpcSvWuozef7cvtVukg