For entrepreneur Ahmad Barron, his apparel line is more than just a collection of signature sweatsuits, footwear and accessories.
The 25-year-old East Macon native described it as a lifestyle that combines community involvement with his faith-based goals of empowering individuals to attain their highest potential by using their God-given talents.
“I want us to have a huge impact. We’re not just here to sell clothes. We’re here to change lives,” Barron said.
Barron founded G1fted Culture in 2019 in his dorm room during his sophomore year at Reinhardt University. The former student-athlete said that the death of his younger sister, Aquia, who had cerebral palsy, inspired the concept.
“She couldn’t walk, talk or feed herself. I used to just wonder why she couldn’t be like everyone else. Although she had those disabilities, after her passing, I realized that she did have a gift,” Barron said.
That special gift was Aquia’s beautiful smile, which could light up any room and make anyone feel at ease, Barron said.
Five years later, Barron said he is still helping others shine and has always envisioned for G1fted Culture to leave an impact on Macon’s youth.
“I want them to realize that no matter whatever they’re going through, they don’t have to fall victim to their environment. I come from the east side of Macon, an area where I had a limited supply of great influences,” he said.
He was able to accomplish that goal at the Inaugural G1fted Culture Day, a free community event held at New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church on June 1 — his sister’s birthday. The event honored his sister through a balloon release, but it also inspired Macon-Bibb’s youth to use their gifts to excel, serve others and make a difference, he said.
In addition to the free food, apparel giveaways and entertainment, Barron invited city leaders and role models from different professions to speak so the youth could notice multiple career pathways available to them, he said. Attendees included Macon-Bibb District 3 Commissioner Stanley Stuart, hairstylist Ramaiya Richards, preacher Richard Robinson Jr. and New England Patriots rookie Teldrick Ross.
“A small change in what you see can lead to a big difference in what you do,” Barron said. “You don’t just have to be an athlete or a rapper to make it out. You can just go out in the world, utilize your gift and be great.”
Robinson said he agreed to have the event at the church because Barron’s community-related vision aligns with the church’s motto of “Love God, Love People.” He said he admired that the event brought different cultures together, young and old.
“I really believe in his brand and his dream because here in Macon, especially on the East side, there’s a lot of young people who need to see people that look like them dreaming big and have those dreams come into fruition,” he said.
Ross said the event’s turnout was nice because, in addition to promoting Barron’s brand, they were able to highlight self-elevation.
“I talked to them about coming from a small city in Macon, Georgia, where you don’t have a lot of resources, (and) you feel like you can’t make it out of here,” the former Jones County High School quarterback said. “I wanted to show them I’m living proof that if you work hard, you can make it out of this.”
Barron said Macon residents should expect the event to occur annually, and he is now working on establishing a nonprofit organization for community outreach.
“I feel like we were all blessed with a gift,” he said. “My goal is if I can reach one person, I’ve done my job, and then that one person can reach the next.”
HOW TO HELP
For more information on G1fted Culture, go to g1ftedculture.com.
To contact Ahmad Barron, email info.g1ftedculture@gmail.com or call 470-970-7410.
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