Designing the Path: Where Sneaker Culture Meets Healing Justice
Photos: The Big O
By The Big O
Inside The Re-Sole 206 in Seattle’s Central District, the transformation taking place today went far beyond cleaning scuffs off a pair of sneakers. The shop, known as the city’s premier sneaker restoration hub, played host to a group from Northwest Credible Messenger (NWCM) for a workshop that was as much about life design as it was about footwear.
For those unfamiliar, Northwest Credible Messenger is the Washington State Ambassador for the national Credible Messenger Mentoring Movement. Their mission is rooted in the belief that those "closest to the problem are closest to the solution". They empower Black and Brown youth and community leaders through a model of Positive Youth Justice and Healing-Centered Engagement, focusing on those who have been impacted by the justice system.
More Than a Mentor: The "Credible Messenger"
The term "Credible Messenger" refers to individuals with relevant lived experience—often formerly incarcerated or justice-involved—who have transformed their lives and now use that authority to connect with "at-promise" youth in ways traditional social workers cannot.
Luther Leonard, a Lead Credible Messenger at NWCM, embodies this "boots on the ground" approach. His work involves everything from curriculum development to policy advocacy, but today’s focus was direct service: re-engaging with young people he first met in the Seattle Public School District who are now navigating college and young adulthood.
"We like to come bearing gifts," Leonard said, emphasizing that for NWCM, wellness is about being "what you talk about". "It’s about community collaborations and how creative we can get in real time to build each other up".
Dimensions of Wellness
The workshop was part of NWCM’s Supportive Reentry and Youth Young Adult (YYA) programs. These initiatives provide culturally responsive peer support, workforce readiness, and mental health resources to help individuals "re-root" into their communities after incarceration.
Marquita Evans, an NWCM apprentice and certified peer support specialist, explained that today focused on the environmental and social dimensions of wellness.
Community Immersion: By gathering at a Black-owned business like Resol 206, the youth are introduced to local leadership they can relate to.
Peer Connection: The event brought together young people to focus on themselves while simultaneously practicing social teamwork.
Skill Building: Beyond the shoes, the program helps participants navigate everything from housing and employment to behavioral health.
The Art of Customization
Takiyah Ward, owner of The Re-Sole 206, sees the sneaker as a powerful tool for this work. "The canvas of a sneaker really allows people to think differently about what it looks like to create art and to create something that’s wearable," she noted. For Ward, the process of customizing—from design to the final seal—invites a state of "meditation and flow" that is vital for young people navigating complex lives.
As Leonard looked around the room at the young men meticulously painting their Air Force Ones, he noted that this is just the beginning. "This is the first of many cultural collaborations coming our way," he said. "We got dope culture here. It’s time to bring it to the world".
