Meet Kimberly Ray, the heart behind RISE Unchained. Born in Mobile, Alabama in 1980, Kimberly carries the spirit of the Gulf Coast—resilient, warm, and unafraid to dream big. RISE began as her personal declaration that style can be more than fabric and logos; it can be a banner for dignity, unity, and progress. Every stitch and symbol in the brand is designed to uplift Black culture, honor the people who shaped her, and invite a global community to stand a little taller—together.
Kimberly’s life has been a steady climb from “make it work” to “Fashion Without Limits.” She built RISE Unchained to celebrate identity and spark opportunity, turning fashion into a movement that says you are seen, you belong, and your future matters. The brand’s cultural emblem is more than a mark—it’s a promise: to rise for ourselves and for each other.
Giving back isn’t an afterthought—it’s the engine. Kimberly is committed to expanding non-profit pathways that open doors for the next generation of Black leaders: mentorships for young creatives and entrepreneurs, scholarships and apprenticeships in design and business, and partnerships with community organizations that provide real skills, real networks, and real jobs. With RISE Unchained, she’s building a platform where artistry funds opportunity, and where success is measured not only in sales, but in scholars supported, careers launched, and communities strengthened.
“I want every young person to see our flag and know—your possibility is not chained to your circumstances. You can rise.” — Kimberly Ray