Photos: Harlem’s Row
In the latest episode of the Fashion in Color Podcast, Sharifa Murdock shares how she carved her path in the fashion industry, from co-founding a groundbreaking trade show to creating ENVSN, a platform empowering young women. With lessons on trust, resilience, and building opportunities for others, Sharifa’s journey is a must-listen for anyone ready to make an impact and chase their dreams.
In this episode, proudly sponsored by H&M, Sharifa opens up about:
“You can’t be what you can’t see.”
“I wanted to create something for young women to empower them and show them they could be so much more. Think about the girl who only sees her block, her school, and the same people on the same corner. There’s no understanding of what she could be because she can’t see it. I wanted them to see themselves in other women and realize, ‘I can be that too.’
Sharifa reflects on the importance of representation in her work with ENVSN. She recalls the reality for many young women growing up in underserved communities where their world is often limited to the blocks they live on and the schools they attend. Sharifa wanted to change that narrative by creating ENVSN, a space where young women could meet role models, learn new skills, and experience opportunities they might never have had access to.
“Trust me.”
“Sam said to me, ‘Trust me,’ and that was all I needed to hear. I didn’t know what I was doing or where it would take me, but I trusted him. That trust led me to leave a stable job, manage a store, and eventually co-create a trade show that grew from 67 brands to over a thousand.
Sharifa shares the pivotal moments in her career when her mentor, Sam, encouraged her to take leaps of faith. Whether it was returning to Atrium after leaving Louis Vuitton or co-founding one of the largest trade shows in fashion, Sam’s unwavering belief in Sharifa’s abilities and his simple phrase, “trust me,” gave her the courage to take risks and embrace the unknown.
“Think with positive intent.”
“There have been so many moments where I felt like I was failing. But I’ve learned that failure isn’t the end—it’s just a lesson in disguise. Someone once told me to always think with positive intent, and that changed my perspective. When things don’t work out, I don’t immediately think, ‘What did I do wrong?’ Instead, I step back and ask, ‘What can I learn from this?’
During challenging times, particularly after leaving Project and facing workplace adversity, Sharifa learned to reframe her experiences. She shares how she struggled with feelings of failure but eventually realized that some situations weren’t about her personally. This mindset shift allowed her to approach challenges with resilience and optimism.
