Actress & Educator has teamed with Robert “Bob” Ford Sr., president and CEO of Executive Men’s Suits in West Point, Mississippi to continue the work of providing suits and dresses for young men and women entering the workforce upon completing their undergraduate and graduate work at largely HBCU's in their combined mission to Suit Up For Success.
For college students transitioning into the workforce, dressing for success is more than just a fashion statement—it's a strategic move that can significantly influence first impressions, professional credibility, and overall confidence. In professional settings, appearance often shapes perception before words are even spoken. Employers and hiring managers tend to associate polished, appropriate attire with competence, preparation, and respect for the workplace culture.
When students dress professionally for interviews, internships, networking events, or their first jobs, they signal seriousness and readiness to contribute. Proper attire helps level the playing field, allowing young professionals to be judged more on their skills and less on perceived immaturity or inexperience. Additionally, dressing well boosts self-esteem, empowering students to carry themselves with greater assurance in high-stakes environments.
In essence, dressing for success is a tangible way for emerging professionals to visually align with the standards of their chosen industries, setting the tone for respect, opportunity, and career advancement.
Ford understands the impact that dressing professionally not only makes a difference for a prospective employer, but it also goes a long way with self-esteem for that college graduate. He was a young boy struggling to find food to eat and put clothes on his back. He grew up poor in a large family and recalls fishing for food in the Ross Barnett Reservoir, which was built to provide a permanent drinking water supply in Jackson.Tonea Stewart has maintained the same understanding and mission to give young people self-esteem through education and being able to suit up for success, over her 45 years as a university professor and former dean of students at Alabama State University. In 2022, Stewart was gifted an entire store of menswear, including suits and accessories, from a Montgomery clothier who passed away but wanted Stewart to do something for her many students with those clothes.
"We might not be able to change the world with a suit, however, with the right suit, we can change how the world sees us", says Ford.
Executive Men Suits has donated over 3000 suits over the past 15 years to deserving young men.
For more information on this Stewart / Ford mission, go to:
The American Theatre of BEing at:
Contactus@TheAmericanTheatreofBeing.com
For more on Robert Ford's journey, go to:
ROBERT “BOB” FORD... - Robert “Bob” Ford Sr. Talk Show | Facebook
Local philanthropist "suiting up" JPS athletes