Glam4Good pops up on campus in tandem with Emmanuel Business Collaborative

In conjunction with the Emmanuel Business Collaborative (EBC), Emmanuel’s School of Business & Management welcomed Mary Alice Stephenson, the nonprofit’s CEO and Founder, and the Glam4Good team to campus on November 14th.

Stephenson spoke as part of the EBC Speaker Series, detailing her journey transitioning from her role as a fashion director at magazines like Vogue to becoming a nonprofit founder and how she took on a new mission to combat clothing insecurity.

Returning to campus after visiting Emmanuel in the spring, Stephenson reflected on hearing President Beth Ross, Ed.D., and Associate Professor of Management Dr. Kelly Basile speak, and grew an appreciation for the College’s commitment to social justice. “I felt so much positive energy, kindness, grace, integrity here. I’m so honored to be here with you today,” she said.

Guided by Stephenson’s experience in the fashion industry, the national nonprofit Glam4Good repurposes unused clothes from some of the world’s leading brands and provides them to communities in need to combat clothing and self-care insecurity. Glam4Good “popped up” in the auditorium on Nov. 14th and provided students from Emmanuel College and local universities with free access to a variety of clothing and self-care products.

According to Glam4Good Executive Director Morgan Kelly, the pop up provided over 15,000 items to more than 600 students.

Students visited the Glam4Good pop-up between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in Emmanuel's auditorium.

Stephenson was working toward her passion and “living her dream job,” but Stephenson said there was something missing. At the same time, she began to notice things that frustrated her about the fashion industry – particularly all the excess that it creates – so she decided to pivot to a new cause and mission.

Mary Alice Stephenson, a fashion director-turned nonprofit founder, has worked with a wide range of professionals in the fashion industry, like Kendall Jenner and Jennifer Lopez, and has worked alongside First Lady Michelle Obama with Glam4Good.

Despite hearing a lot of “no’s” during the process, Stephenson grew Glam4Good from a grassroots movement into a full-fledged nonprofit. Throughout that growth, she emphasized the importance of learning to trust herself and being up front with others about how they could support her work.

Early on, Stephenson took to social media and email, explaining who she wanted to help and asking how others could support, and was so surprised about the results. “You can move mountains with your voice – it’s amazing how many people come to support you when they know what you need,” she said.

Now nine years in as a nonprofit, Glam4Good is also starting to launch grants to empower young nonprofit leaders aiming to work toward social good. Stephenson offered parting advice to students in the audience and encouragement that their work can make a change in the world.