CaSandra Diggs has been named the new president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). She will report to Steven Kolb, Chief Executive Officer, and the board of directors. Diggs joined the CFDA in 2001 and till recently held the post of chief administrative and financial officer. In her new role she will be responsible for developing strategy and making decisions that further the council’s purpose to champion, educate and support its membership and the fashion industry.

In March, the CFDA launched “A Common Thread” fund-raising and storytelling initiative to raise both awareness and needed funds for those in the American fashion community who have been impacted by COVID-19. In addition to the numerous fashion and accessories companies, factories and retailers the initiative is financially helping, the CFDA also provided a $1 million donation to funding the new Icon 360 grant program from Harlem’s Fashion Row, which supports designers of color.

Since June, the CFDA has taken several steps to create systemic change in the fashion industry. It plans to create an in-house employment program specifically charged with placing Black talent in all sectors of the industry and revealed plans to create a mentorship and internship programs focused on placing Black students and recent graduates within established firms in the fashion sector. In addition, the organization plans to implement and make available to its members a diversity and inclusion training program. The CFDA also made contributions to several charitable organizations aimed at equalizing the playing field for the Black community such as NAACP and Campaign Zero, among others.