#SupportBlackBusinessPDX - The Black Mannequin

This week, we’re telling the stories of some Black-owned businesses in the Rose City. This is one of a series of Support Black Business segments in the coming weeks and months. Led by hip-hop legend Cool Nutz, our production crew spent time in Portland visiting local staples.

We stopped at The Black Mannequin to visit CEO Bryan Walden, who started the company in 2017 as he pursued his passion for fashion and clothing sales. Always an entrepreneur, Walden was looking for ways to expand his business horizons and did so when he opened the brick-and-mortar store in 2019.

“It was great transition, because I was able to continue my hustle legally and I can make people happy,” Walden said.

The name came from what his fashion school friends would call him on Instagram, honoring his sense of style.

“When you go into high end stores, people don’t notice, but the mannequins are black,” Walden said. “They always have on the most expensive or newest items. If you’re a Black mannequin, you’re the flyest wherever you’re at.”

The store carries streetwear and women’s fashion, including tracksuits, puffer jackets, hats, bags and more.

Check out the video above to learn more about The Black Mannequin and hear from founder Bryan Walden, and stay tuned for more segments all week from Portland.

You can visit The Black Mannequin at 2706 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97232 and online here