A conversation with Kenneth Cole

Kenneth Cole is a designer, social activist, business owner, philanthropist, and the subject of new documentary film, “A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole.” Through his leadership at Kenneth Cole Productions and The Mental Health Coalition, Mr. Cole has demonstrated how business platforms can positively influence health, and reduce stigma around mental health challenges. This conversation will explore how collaborations between business, public health, and advocacy can drive measurable impact regarding population mental health.

Kenneth Cole

Kenneth Cole is an American designer and social activist who believes that business and philanthropy are interdependent. His company, Kenneth Cole Productions, creates modern footwear, clothing, and accessories that are distributed worldwide. For over 40 years, Kenneth Cole has leveraged his passion and unique brand platform to make a meaningful impact on people’s wardrobes and in their communities. During the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, Kenneth refocused his energy and resources on an even larger, more debilitating global pandemic: mental illness and its related stigma. In that moment, The Mental Health Coalition (MHC) – a collective of the nation’s largest, most influential and diverse mental health organizations – was born. Understanding that one in four individuals worldwide will live with a mental health condition at some point in their lives, largely due to the devastating impact of stigma, Kenneth believes four out of four individuals will be affected.

The Coalition’s mission is to build a like-minded community that works together to destigmatize all mental health conditions and enable equitable access to vital resources and support for all. The unique proposition of the MHC is a commitment to marry basic business principles of transparent and quantitative impact with an emphasis on cross-functional collaboration.

Kenneth’s commitment to public health initiatives goes back decades. He has been one of the leading and loudest voices in the global response to HIV and AIDS for more than 30 years. Kenneth joined amfAR’s board of directors in 1987 and assumed its chairmanship in 2004. Under his leadership of 14 years, amfAR was instrumental in significant breakthroughs in HIV and AIDS research, treatment, and helping to destigmatize the disease. Since 2016, Kenneth also has been a UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador using his passion, insights, and vast experience to help end the public health crisis.

Photos from the event