Jackson native leads design for Target's Black History Month collection

Italiana Anderson
Mississippi Clarion Ledger

A true Mississippian is what Le'Spencer Walker calls himself.  

Family, inspiration, leadership, determination and community are five things the Jackson-bred designer says has driven him his whole life.

For Walker, family has been the glue that held him together over the years. In some ways, his family is responsible for the man he has become.

"My paternal grandparents taught me to live every day with intention. My grandma, before she passed, led the church choir and had the biggest heart," Walker said. "My mother’s parents, a pair full of wisdom, inspire me to always be available to learn something new," he said.

A lesson he says his "gramps" left him with was 'reading everything you see and love with all your heart is the path to live a full life'.

The 31-year-old soccer player turned engineer was happy, but he wanted more out of life. He spent eight years designing products, but he wanted to make something that made a difference. Two years ago, Target made his wish come true. 

Walker's story begins in Jackson. 

Inspired by soccer in Jackson

As a child, Walker was a player in the Central Jackson Soccer Organization, an African-American soccer club in Jackson. He was also a member of the Jackson chapter of Jack and Jill of America, where he says he learned the importance of heritage, community service and self-pride.

Upon graduating from St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Walker received a soccer scholarship to play at Philadelphia University (now Jefferson University), where he graduated with a degree in industrial and systems engineering.

In Philadelphia, he began working with Starfinder Foundation: Soccer for Social Change, where he coached soccer at various elementary schools.

The soccer player/coach shifted gears and furthered his career at Target Corporate Headquarters in Minneapolis. 

After the move to Minneapolis, he started a family with his wife, whom he met in Philadelphia, and welcomed a new baby girl last Christmas Eve.  After the birth of his daughter, Walker said he developed a new definition of life once he held the next generation in his arms.

Le'Spencer Walker, senior designer for Target.

'At the core, I am a creator'

In July 2010, Walker was hired as an assistant product engineer for Target, then was promoted to product engineer in September 2012. 

Walker is now the senior brand manager at Target, where he is on the brand vision team and works with the product design and development team. 

"At the core, I am a creator. Whether it’s a product, a system, a process or activities, my role at Target is never stuck on one track," Walker said.

As a member of the African American Business Council, he says it is nice to have a workplace that gives diverse individuals the ability to come together and make a difference at such a large corporation with inclusivity at its core.

Walker is an instrumental part of the team that produces Target's Black History Month collection that includes more than 100 products, including apparel for every age, music, books, decor and beauty products. This is the third year Walker has been part of the Black History Month product development team. He serves as the creative director, which means he leads concept and product details for the line with a design partner. 

"The Black History Month product development team is made up of individuals from different core areas of the company who work on a collection together," Walker said. "This is the fourth year that Target developed a collection for Black History Month and we are continuing to evolve the assortment," he said. 

All products are available in 700 stores nationwide and on Target.com.

Le'Spencer Walker wearing bomber jacket inspired by the Black History Month collection by Target.

"Great product design only comes from great collaboration. We developed a mood for the collection and I engaged in conversations with our guest to understand what is valued and what creates a good collection," Walker said.

Walker says he was inspired by celebrating Black History Month and showcasing awareness for something that is important all year.

"It’s about love that moves you, love for the culture, love for yourself and also celebrating Black History Month with your loved ones," Walker said.

The Black History Month collection was made to celebrate African American heritage and heroes, both historical and contemporary, according to Tawnya Artisst, product design and developmental director at Target.

Walker looks to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his strong leadership presence, Muhammad Ali for his charisma, and Maya Angelou for her ability to open people's hearts, for inspiration in life and with the collection.

"I pull from each of them, and you can find subtle nods to their legacy in the collection, especially in the hero tees, the style-forward clothing, the positive messages and the expressions of art through movies, music and greeting cards," Walker said.

'Never stop creating'

Walker said he always found ways to be creative as an engineer, and he is thrilled to give back to the community with the collection. He says knowing your heritage is inspiring, but leaving a legacy is truly important to him.

As a little piece of advice to young designers who have hopes of creating a collection that inspires people and the culture, Walker said, "Never stop creating, always be inspired by the small things, don’t hesitate to take the lead when you see the opportunity, stay determined when it gets difficult, and remember: You have people who love you that will lift you up when you need it the most."

With a deep respect of where he comes from, Walker says he wants to make a positive impact on the world.

"Every year, I hope to continue to help everyone remember the amazing people who came before them and how they can continue to create Black History," Walker said.

And while his Target career has taken off, his love for soccer did not diminish.

In 2012, Walker became the head coach for the Minneapolis United Soccer Club girl's team. Walker said coaching the team gives him the chance to share his soccer experience and lessons he has learned in life with soccer as the medium.

Contact Italiana Anderson at (601)-720-3907 or ianderson@gannett.com. Follow @ItalianaAnders2 on Twitter.