We are thrilled to announce that our paper dress entry won First Place at the Madison Reading Project's annual Get READ(y) to Wear fundraiser! The event took place on June 11th and it was a dazzling celebration of creativity and community, all in support of a vital mission: promoting literacy and providing books to children in need. Our winning creation was more than just a beautiful dress; it was a testament to collaboration, ingenuity, and the Ashro Community Council’s deep commitment to making a difference.

Suzanne then enlisted the Technical Design team, with Julie Ziperski and Tamara Brinkley providing invaluable expertise on structure and support for the dress. Finally, with a bit of persuasion, our very own Ashro Brand Marketing intern, A'kira Patterson, bravely stepped into the role of our stunning model.
What followed was an incredible display of collaboration and teamwork. Over several days, countless hands meticulously folded page after page (over 200!) of UMOJA Magazines into intricate accordion pleats. All of these pages formed the voluminous skirt and remarkably long train of the dress

The Meaning Behind the Dress
In response to the Madison Reading Project’s Ready to Wear theme, “Legends and Fairytales,” the Ashro Community Council reimagined the concept to honor the Legendary Black Woman. The one-of-a-kind paper dress featured first names like Harriet, Coretta, Katherine, Maya, and Rosa across the bodice and hat—alongside Madison’s own Milele, in tribute to Milele Chikasa Anana. A civil rights leader, Madison’s first Black school board member, and founder of UMOJA Magazine, Milele’s image crowned the look, grounding the design in both history and local pride.