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"Blacks In Fashion" Panel Discussion

It’s Fashion Week in New York City! And has been the case in years before, there are few black faces on the catwalks. Roland Martin caught up with black fashion legend Bethann Hardison on Friday to discuss her efforts to diversify the fashion industry.

“It’s an important thing because it’s not just that we’re helping the image of what we think black people should feel like but I’m really trying to educate white people in general,” said Hardison. “You have to apply gentle pressure consistently.”

Hardison and others, including models Iman and Naomi Campbell, have used their influence to encourage designers to cast more black models and hire other black fashion professionals. She says that’s critical, not just in expanding ideas of beauty, but in creating jobs for for qualified candidates.

Listen to Bethann Hardison shed light on runway racism.

Be sure to tune in to “NewsOne Now with Roland Martin, weekdays at 7 a.m. EST.

Legendary Black Model Talks Race on the Runway [LISTEN]  was originally published on newsone.com