CLOTHING BRAND GIVES BACK

Bobby Burke is the creator of Blaqe, a clothing line that gives back to the community and organizations that are on the frontlines of serving the community. Photo courtesy of Bobby Burke
Bobby Burke is the creator of Blaqe, a clothing line that gives back to the community and organizations that are on the frontlines of serving the community. Photo courtesy of Bobby Burke

 Clothing Brand Gives Back

BY TIA CAROL JONES
      In 2010, Robert Burke Jr. used his more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing to start Lifestyle Official, a promotions, event planning and marketing and advertising
company.
     He developed a passion for fashion  and helping the community at the same time, and his clothing line, Blaqe, was born. The line, which launched last year, includes hoodies, sweatshirts, sweatpants and t-shirts.
     Burke grew up in the Robert Taylor homes and attended Ludwig Van Beethoven Elementary School on the city’s South side. Then, he moved to Englewood with his mother. He attended Hyde Park Academy High School.
     Burke said he established Lifestyle Official and Blaqe because there was a need for a full-service company dedicated to giving back. Even with the events, Lifestyle official donated funds to Black, non-profit organizations and small businesses.
     “It was only right when we decided to go into fashion that we created a brand that had the same understanding. You not only put out a quality product, but a quality product you can wear, and you feel good about it because you know at the core you contributed to helping someone else,” he said.
     Burke said Blaqe is a way to give back to the community, with money and action. He said it is a brand that makes people feel good about giving back.
     Burke said he has a knack for going through uncharted waters, asking, “why can’t that be done?”
     “That has always given me a leg up, as far as curating events or even tailoring my clothes. I want to have a full-service lifestyle brand that you feel good in wearing that you can wear for different occasions, you can dress it up, dress it down, run to the grocery store in, still go to the nightclub in,” he said.
     Burke said Blaqe likes to remain behind-the-scenes and give to organizations that are on the frontlines of giving back. Blaqe recently donated to ChiGivesBack, an organization
that feeds the elderly, feeds the homeless and raises funds. Burke said in January, Blaqe will give to Gray Matter Experience, which provides an entrepreneurial experience program to high school students.
     Burke also strives to be a positive role model for young Black men in the community. He said it is essential and he said he didn’t understand how important it was to have a positive Black male role model until he started to become more independent.
     “If someone can provide me with what they’ve been through, their tidbits and their knowledge, it makes my life a bit easier. If they’ve been through it, I can’t help but to hopefully respect their word and hope they’re guiding me and leading me in the right direction because they’ve been in the trenches already,” he said.
     Burke said, because of the scale of the events he curated, COVID-19 has halted those events. He said they are rescheduling everything for March or April 2020. For other people interested in entrepreneurship and starting a business, he advised they do their research.
     “You have to be in it for the long haul. It’s very rare that overnight success occurs. So, you have to be willing to accept the passion and the dedication and the long hours that go
into it,” he said. “Hang tough, there’s a bright light at the end of the tunnel.
     We’re going to get through this. Keep striving and pray and hope for a better outcome.”
     Burke said at his core, he has a big heart and that drives him to do what he does. “I’ve always been one that likes helping others without anything in return,” he said. “It’s always been gratitude without wanting anything in return.”
     For more information on Blaqe, visit www.blaqeeveryday.com.

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