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"Success comes to the underdog who doesn't let sleeping dogs lie...
(DE-FI)antly Caressa-Regional Fashion's Fearless Trailblazer
Stitching Together Power, Passion, and Purpose at the Same Damn Time
Caressa Brown is a force of nature—bold, compassionate, gritty, and fiercely determined. Known for her “in-your-face” accountability, tough love, and disciplined approach to life and business, she has transformed her trials into triumphs, making her story the foundation for (DE-FI)’s groundbreaking work.
Turning Struggles into Strength and Strength into Triumph
Caressa L. Brown’s story is one of resilience, ambition, and determination, a story that is deeply rooted in the rich, complex history of her family—a legacy that blends tenacity, cultural heritage, and a commitment to justice and progress shaped by the sacrifices of her ancestors and challenges of her upbringing. Her father, a former U.S. Marine Corps drill sergeant (Purple Heart, Grenada) and now retired sergeant from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department, instilled grit, discipline and resilience. Her mother, a former model, Fashion Fair makeup artist, medical assistant, and community activist, inspired creativity, giving, and compassion.
Together, they laid the foundation for Caressa’s bold and impactful journey. Born to divorced parents, her father remarried when she was five. Despite their separation, her father remained a constant and active presence in her life from birth to today. However, a career as a model was far from what he envisioned for his child. Caressa, an intellect and prodigy with dreams of becoming an architectural engineer, her father encouraged her to focus on her education and seize the opportunities he never had access to.
From Sacrifice to Triumph: A Father's Journey and the Legacy of (DE-FI)ance
Her father’s life was shaped by the harrowing journey of her grandfather, who risked being lynched to escape the oppressive grip of modern-day slavery in the Jim Crow South. Tired of watching his children, some as young as one year old, being forced to pick cotton on a white family’s farm, Caressa’s grandfather made a bold decision. With no schools in their part of Alabama willing to educate Black children and faced with the crushing cycle of debt and servitude during the winter months, he decided enough was enough. The white family who “employed” him would loan her grandfather money to feed his family during the winter, only to demand it back through months of free labor in the fields and high quotas in the long growing season(which is why he had to use his children to help pick the cotton). It was a cycle with no end in sight. To survive, the boys in the family learned to hunt and fish, often relying on beans, fish, or rabbit for their meals.
One winter, after receiving his usual "loan" or winter advance, Caressa’s grandfather packed up his family under the cover of night with no intention of ever working it off or returning the money. With a bounty on his head and a threat of being lynched for his act of (DE-FI)ance, he moved them to Texas, a place where there was a school that taught Black children up to what we now consider the fourth grade. But when the children outgrew the school, the family moved again to another part of Texas where they could attend what we now call grades five through eight. Still, there were no schools in that town for Black high school students. Determined to give his children the chance to pursue "The American Dream," Caressa’s grandfather moved the family once more—this time to Abilene, where her father and his younger siblings were finally able to graduate from high school, the older children, weren't as fortunate, which created some discord. Her grandfather’s courage and foresight paved the way for the next generation, making Caressa’s educational achievements and legacy possible. Caressa represents the first generation on her father’s side born free in this country and one of the first to earn a college degree—a legacy of breaking barriers and forging new paths.
Rooted in Grit: The Unyielding Legacy of Caressa’s Maternal Lineage. Survival.Activism.(DE-FI)ance.
Caressa’s mother’s family hailed from Kentucky and West Virginia before eventually settling in Dayton, Ohio. Her maternal-maternal great-grandfather, a Choctaw survivor of immense tragedy, was relocated to Oklahoma and became the lone survivor after his entire community was burned to the ground. After enduring such unspeakable loss, he eventually relocated to Kentucky before settling in Dayton, where he worked for the Wright Brothers at their airfield, served as a ditch digger at Wright-Patterson Airforce Base, and helped build the I-70 and I-75 highways—a testament to perseverance and survival against all odds.
Her maternal-paternal great-grandfather brought pride and intellect to his community as both a friend of the literary giant Paul Laurence Dunbar and as a bailiff in the criminal justice system, representing stability and leadership in turbulent times. Her maternal grandmother's family were also respected tobacco farmers in Kentucky, contributing to the region's agricultural heritage and demonstrating resilience and industriousness in a challenging era.
Caressa’s family has also been (DE-FI)ned by activism: her great-aunt owned a funeral home in Dayton and played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement locally and nationally. She sponsored Freedom Riders and even joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the historic 1963 March on Washington. Her sponsorship of other critical Freedom Rides, including Selma, reflects the unwavering courage and sense of duty that echoes through Caressa’s own journey. Caressa fondly recalls sitting by her aunt's side as a child, captivated by her stories of walking arm-in-arm with Dr. King and serving as a local Civil Rights leader who helped fund the campaigns of some of the Dayton region's most legendary elected officials.
Caressa grew up with a deep love for horses, heavily influenced by one of her cousins, a legendary champion thoroughbred horse trainer and owner from Lexington, Kentucky. This same cousin was also a civil rights leader who helped desegregate a Lexington-area school district. Her mother made it a point to ensure that Caressa knew where she came from and the path that had been set for her, instilling in her a sense of pride, determination, and responsibility to honor her family’s legacy.
Caressa also carries the lessons and strength of her maternal grandmother, a trailblazer in her own right. Despite living in an era where most women were unable to make financial decisions without their husband's permission, her grandmother boldly (DE-FI)ed societal norms and purchased a house without his consent. That house, which stands as a symbol of independence and determination, is now owned by Caressa, who serves as its third-generation caretaker and what she calls "Legacy House". The home remains a powerful reminder of the resilience and resourcefulness that (DE-FI)nes her DNA.
Forged Through Adversity: The Journey That Built a Fashion Revolution
As a child, Caressa struggled with low self-esteem do to her tall and thin build, but her mother—a former model—recognized her potential and made sacrifices to enroll her in modeling school to build her confidence. Though financial barriers forced her to leave prematurely, the experience ignited a spark that would shape her future. By the age of 12, Caressa signed her first modeling contract, but her mother’s diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis placed new responsibilities on her as a caregiver—a role she continues to hold today.
The only child of her mother and the youngest of her father’s children, which include a half-brother, a half-sister, and two step-siblings. Due to a significant age gap and the fact that her siblings all joined the military while she was still in elementary or junior high school, Caressa is not close to them. However, her unique position as the youngest allowed her to forge her own independent path, distinct from the family’s military tradition.
Her modeling aspirations resurfaced after high school when she earned opportunities with renowned agencies, including Click Modeling Agency in Atlanta and Elite Chicago. However, balancing life as a full-time college student, caregiver, and employee working 50+ hours a week at General Motors became overwhelming; plus after her high school graduation, her father relocated back to Texas to be closer to his elderly mother. Time and again, financial barriers and a lack of support extinguished her dreams. These struggles taught Caressa that pursuing a dream takes more than ambition—it requires resources, a strong support system, and a committed community.
These hard-won lessons laid the foundation for Caressa’s vision to create opportunities for others to thrive. Her experiences, both personal and professional, fueled her drive to disrupt the regional fashion industry and transform lives through innovation and collaboration. Her upbringing reflects the values of perseverance, education, and courage, laying the foundation for the bold and transformative leader she has become. Caressa carved out her own legacy, embodying the spirit of individuality and determination that (DE-FI)nes her journey.
Building (DE-FI): A Legacy of Grit and Giving
Determined to ensure others would not face the same obstacles, Caressa founded the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) LLC in 2013. She built (DE-FI) on community outreach, requiring participants to volunteer locally in exchange for services. By eliminating financial barriers and providing the needed support system, (DE-FI) has empowered countless individuals to succeed in the fashion industry.
In just 11 years, (DE-FI) has grown into an internationally recognized brand, fostering a thriving fashion community in Southwest Ohio. Under Caressa’s leadership, (DE-FI) includes:
- The House of (DE-FI)ance: A Fashion & Design Co-working Experience- An interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary fashion co-working safe space focused on team and brand building, as well as professional development.
- (DE-FI) Models- A modeling agency.
- Dayton Fashion Week and the Cincinnati Fashion Incubator- A premier designer incubator, event elevating regional talent.
(DE-FI) has forged partnerships with prestigious institutions such as the University of Cincinnati, Kent State, and The Ohio State University, as well as local high schools including Dayton STEM School and Jefferson. These collaborations, paired with (DE-FI)’s grassroots efforts, have positioned Southwest Ohio as a global fashion capital for developing and nurturing talent.
Changing Lives, Transforming Communities
(DE-FI) alum have achieved global success in fashion, media, entertainment, and business. Beyond fashion, Caressa has launched initiatives like Veggie Soul: The Farmers’ Market, teaching residents in food deserts how to garden and become self-sufficient. Her vision includes launching Noirquility, an urban retreat and homestead bed-and-breakfast, continuing her mission to uplift her community.
The Spirit of (DE-FI)
Caressa’s story of resilience and perseverance is the beating heart of (DE-FI). By removing barriers and creating opportunities, she has built a brand that changes lives and strengthens communities. Through her grit, compassion, and determination, Caressa has proven that dreams don’t fail—when supported, they thrive.
Join (DE-FI) in its mission to empower talent, uplift communities, and re(DE-FI)ne the fashion industry. Together, we can create a world where no dream is out of reach.