Charity Washington is the only Black woman to own a storefront at Charlotte’s SouthPark Mall. Her store, Captivate, is positioned next to luxury brands, including Gucci, and Louis Vuitton.
She’s been in the fashion game for more than 20 years and wasn’t in the market for a new space when she received a call one-day asking if she would like to have a storefront in the mall.
“I never thought I could be in that mall, but they contacted me,” Washington told Travel Noire. “I was scared and intimidated at first, but I took a step out on faith and here we are.”
Before her debut in Charlotte, Washington was known to style heavy hitters, including athletes and entertainers, all while owning the clothing store Elle Mari in Atlanta, Georgia, which has since closed down, so she could focus more on the store in Charlotte.
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Despite some setbacks, Washington is still taking it in that she’s breaking barriers in the Queen City. One thing Washington’s journey has taught her is that all it takes to make it, is canceling out the noise and believing in yourself.
“One thing I want ladies to know, especially Black women, is that we are the bag. I got married to an NFL player at 19-years-old, and I never thought in a million years that I could be the bag. Now, I’m a self-made millionaire and I want other young Black women to know that you don’t have to chase anybody. It’s in you. You just have to have faith over fear and God is going to make it happen for you,” Washington added.
Find more information about her store here.