Randy Bowden Jr.

Thank you so much for the meeting this morning! As we discussed for the opportunity you mentioned, here is a long version biography that I have along with a link to a Women’s Wear Daily article about my coming out story:

Randy Bowden Jr. is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, born by two southern ministers. A graduate of The University of Alabama, Randy holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Marketing. Formally, Randy was a Violin Performance major with an expansive history of musical instrumentals and vocal performances. With fashion brands like Diane von Furstenberg, Marie Claire Magazine, and 3.1 Phillip Lim, all under this fashion press experience.

Randy is a Spring 09’ initiate of historically black Greek letter organization, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Additionally, Randy was elected Executive Vice President of The Student Government Association at The University of Alabama, the second African-American to do so since 1975. Randy was destined for public service.

With the New York transition being a strenuous one, Randy came to love everything fitness. It became an outlet of meditation, personal progression and an opportunity to pay it forward by personal training. While building his modeling career, Randy also worked in public relations from in-house to magazine, and also from luxury sales to boutique hospitality.

Randy appeared on BET’s Hustle in Brooklyn, namely being the networks first openly gay couple to appear on a reality docuseries, the Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) article highlighted the story. (link below). Randy felt that showcasing a different view of black gay masculinity was important to the audience of BET.

With plans to prepare for a public office run in the future, Randy currently serves as a WokeVote.org National Ambassador. Heavily involved in The 2020 National General Election and the 2021 Georgia Senate race, Randy consistently and strategically engages with his peers and audience to promote the importance and power of voting to close the marginalized gaps at the polls.

Randy also works alongside Mobilizing Our Brother’s Initiative (MOBI) to reach young men of color to stress the importance of self acceptance, mental health, and sexual health. Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative (MOBI) is a series of curated social connectivity events for queer people of color to see their holistic self while promoting community, wellness, and personal development.

From Alabama with $200 and a carry on, friends couch to friends couch, up until now, Randy is the epitome of keep going forward.

https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/coming-out-stories-from-young-black-creatives-1203660833/