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Nia Faith

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Nia Faith
Born
Nia Faith

(2001-10-06) October 6, 2001 (age 24)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
EducationHoward University
OccupationsFashion designer, philanthropist
Years active2019–present
Websitewww.revolutionnaire.co

Nia Faith (born October 6, 2001) is a Canadian philanthropist[1] fashion designer, and the co-founder of Révolutionnaire, a digital social network for changemakers and a clothing line to celebrate diversity.[2]

In November 2019, in her first year at Howard University, Faith founded Révolutionnaire as a dance wear line catering to dancers of color, the first in Canada.[3] Faith grew up in the professional ballet world and was considered a prodigy who moved to the United States to train at New York City's Joffrey Ballet School at the age of 14.[4] During her time at Joffrey, Faith was featured in Awesomeness TV's Joffrey Elite. Two years later, in 2017, Faith suffered from a nearly career-ending injury that left her on bed rest for several months.[5]

During her time on bed rest, Faith began sketching and designing a dancewear line catering to dancers of color, inspired by her own journey of growing up as a Black ballerina and never having access to apparel that matched her skin tone and having to dye her dancewear for the majority of her career.[5] When Faith met Misty Copeland in 2014 and learned that Copeland also dyed her apparel and accessories due to a lack of diversity in dancewear, Faith became inspired to create her own.[6]

In 2019, Faith began her first semester at historically black Howard University, in Washington, D.C.[7] At Howard, Faith launched Révolutionnaire several weeks later at the age of 17 with a line of branded tee shirts which later expanded into Canada's first skin-toned dancewear and accessories for people of color.[6]

In the summer of 2020, Faith entered a unique partnership with the Canadian Heritage brand Roots which included a two-part collaboration between Roots and Révolutionnaire taking part over eight months.[8] The first phase of the collaboration launched on February 5, 2021, with Faith's sister being announced as co-founder of the company the same week. The collaboration featured a t-shirt with the phrase "Dreams Fuel Revolutions" on it and sold out in under 24 hours.[9] Proceeds from the collection were donated to Canada's Black Academy to amplify young Black talent across the country.[10] The second collaboration launched on October 19, 2021, with a leather jacket, leather bag, two statement t-shirts and six co-branded hoodies and sweatpants.[9] In the midst of this, Faith launched an online platform for young people to engage in social change.[11]

Philanthropy

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As someone with a lifelong involvement in philanthropy, Faith decided to expand her organization to be more social impact-focused.[12] Faith worked with her sister and co-founder of Révolutionnaire, Justice Faith to evolve Révolutionnaire with a social impact arm, creating a social network for change makers. The sisters onboarded a team of over 30 young North American activists.[13] The sisters along with their team worked to build out a dedicated platform for young people to learn about causes of interest, connect with like-minded citizens, and take action across social causes. Since launching in June 2021, the social network has gained members from Ghana, Uganda, Mexico, Turkey, Jordan, Canada, and the United States.[14]

In 2025, Faith co-chaired RISE, a Toronto-based next generation fundraising initiative mobilizing Gen Z philanthropists to support young victims, alongside her sister Justice Faith.[15] The inaugural event, held on 20 June 2025 at the Globe and Mail Centre, raised more than $525,000 to support a new therapeutic program for young crime victims following court proceedings.[15] In April 2026, Faith served as a co-chair of the Misty Copeland Foundation's inaugural Spring Benefit alongside her sister and Julie Kim, supporting the foundation's $1 million Celebrating Misty fundraising campaign.[16]

References

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  1. ^ "The New Guard: Why Gen Z Is Reimagining Philanthropy For The Misty Copeland Spring Benefit". Girls United. Essence. April 2026. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  2. ^ Wilson, Kimberly (3 June 2021). "Meet The 19-Year-Old Howard Student Behind Révolutionnaire, An Education And Action Platform For Young Activists". Essence Magazine. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  3. ^ Harvey, Lex (23 March 2021). "These Toronto sisters created a platform for young activists to turn their dreams into action". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  4. ^ Ford, Thomas (November 2021). "Dance Spirit Magazine". Dance Spirit. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  5. ^ a b Beeksmat, Sonia (18 February 2021). "Young dancers Nia and Justice Faith launched Révolutionnaire to battle discrimination in dance". etalk. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  6. ^ a b Spears, Celeste (21 December 2021). "Révolutionnaire Has Gone From Inclusive Dancewear to a Social Justice Platform". Dance Magazine. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  7. ^ Burrel, Joshua. "Revolutionnaire: An Organizing Platform For Young Activists To Make The Impact They Want". Forbes. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Roots x Révolutionnaire For Black History Month". Vita Daily. 9 February 2021.
  9. ^ a b Lockwood, Lisa (19 October 2021). "Révolutionnaire by Roots Looks to Empower Individuals to Take Action". WWD. Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  10. ^ Zanon, Elysa (3 February 2021). "Roots Is Celebrating Black History Month With A Limited Edition Collab". Style Democracy. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  11. ^ Burrel, Joshua. "Revolutionnaire: An Organizing Platform For Young Activists To Make The Impact They Want". Forbes. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  12. ^ "Révolutionnaire Helps Activists Get Educated and Connect". Cheddar News. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  13. ^ Battle, Tatiana (August 2021). "Gen-Z social activists making a difference through their online platform". Your Basin. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  14. ^ Caplan, Ilyana (23 June 2021). "The search for inclusive dancewear is over thanks to young Revolutionnaire changemakers". KGET TV.
  15. ^ a b Hoyt, Maddison (2 July 2025). "At Toronto's RISE, Philanthropy Has Never Looked So Chic". Fashion. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  16. ^ "The New Guard: Why Gen Z Is Reimagining Philanthropy For The Misty Copeland Spring Benefit". Girls United. Essence. April 2026. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  • "Meet The 19-Year-Old Howard Student Behind Révolutionnaire, An Education And Action Platform For Young Activists" Essence. 3 June 2021.
  • "Toronto sisters launch digital platform to help young activists make an impact" CBC. 8 July 2021.
  • "These Toronto sisters created a platform for young activists to turn their dreams into action" Toronto Star. 23 March 2021.
  • "The search for inclusive dancewear is over thanks to young Revolutionnaire changemakers" KGET. 23 June 2021.
  • "HBCU STUDENT CREATES PLATFORM FOR YOUNG ACTIVISTS" YR Media. 4 June 2021.
  • "Revolutionnaire: An Organizing Platform For Young Activists To Make The Impact They Want" Forbes. 17 June 2021
  • "Révolutionnaire Helps Activists Get Educated and Connect" Cheddar. 2 June 2021.
  • "Gen-Z social activists making a difference through their online platform" Your Basin. 31, July 2021.
  • "Roots Is Celebrating Black History Month With A Limited Edition Collab" Style Democracy. 3 February 2021
  • "At Toronto's RISE, Philanthropy Has Never Looked So Chic" Fashion. 2 July 2025.
  • "The New Guard: Why Gen Z Is Reimagining Philanthropy For The Misty Copeland Spring Benefit" Essence. April 2026.
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