Meet Karah Rainwater | Influencer & Graphic Designer

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

Hi Karah, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As the CEO of Black College Culture and a Los Angeles native that attends Thee Illustrious Southern University A&M College, I bring my passion and excitement of all things HBCU to the masses. My background in digital marketing, content creation, and design helped fuel my desire to launch Black College Culture. As a California student, I didn’t not have exposure to HBCU life and culture, I am committed to sharing with students from similar backgrounds to ensure that they understand the magnitude and impact that HBCUs have on the lives and outcomes of its students. After completing my first year of college and seeing firsthand the culture, education, and experience that HBCUs offer, I decided to create a brand that would help spread a very important message to those who may now have exposure to HBCUs. This year on my 19th birthday, I launched my lifestyle and apparel brand, Black College Culture and am passionate about growing my business.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business, Black College Culture is more than just an apparel line, but is a lifestyle brand that represents all HBCU’s. I am very proud about the message behind my brand, and excited to extend to specific HBCU apparel. Some of the challenges I faced is balancing being a full time college student and running a business. I work diligently to balance my academics, social life, and operating Black College Culture. I’ve learned to manage my schedule by blocking time, prioritizing tasks, and leverage friends and family for support. Another struggle I’ve encountered as a college entrepreneur has been finding funding for my newly established business. Through lots of research, partnering with local business centers, and following various business social media accounts, I’m expanding my toolkit as a new business owner. As my business grows, I plan to expand to various product offerings, with an ultimate goal of uplifting and edifying HBCUs across the country.

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 would like to dedicate my shoutout to my mother. She has overall been the far most influential & helpful person as far as my business and personal life. She helped me not only come up with the concept of my business but helps manage and pack orders. She works with me daily to make sure my business, Black College Culture is up to par. Her unconditional love, and encouragement pushes me to be a more successful woman everyday, without my mother I wouldn’t be half of the woman I am today.

Website: https://blackcollegecultureapparel.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackcollegeculture/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackcollegeculture