Culture

Diddy Gifts 14-Year-Old Fashion Entrepreneur Trey Brown with $25K Business Grant

Philadelphia native Trey Brown is the 14-year-old owner of SPERGO, a boutique fashion collection that includes sweatsuits, hoodies, boxer briefs, and accessories for all genders as well as children.

The clothing company has already garnered a loyal celebrity following with people like rapper DaBaby, Meek Mill, and others spotted the luxury and urban activewear brand.

Through power, strength, and courageousness, SPERGO is a comfortable approach to designer fashion. Under the vision of CEO Brown and creative director Sherell Peterson, SPERGO products represent the combination of comfortable luxury clothing and empowering greater possibilities.

Brown is showing people all over the world that you can be successful doing positive things. SPERGO was started in January 2018 with Trey’s birthday money of $178. He wanted to empower youth that be the example that you can do great things at any age.

Fashion isn’t the easiest industry to break into. One boy was not only able to beat the odds and launched his own clothing brand, but he also was able to catch the eye of music and fashion mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. On a recent appearance on Ellen, Brown discussed how Diddy was one of his biggest inspirations and fueled his desire to open a business at an early age.

“When I started, I looked at Mr. Sean for inspiration,” he said on the show according to AfroTech. “He’s from New York. He’s a hustler, just like me.” 

Ellen then revealed that she had arranged for Brown to meet his idol and presented him with a business grant to expand his company.

“This kid would call me every single day. I don’t know how he got my number. And he didn’t regular-call me neither,” Diddy said on the show before presenting Brown with a $25,000 check.

“He would FaceTime me and I was just blown away by his tenacity, by his focus, the quality of his manufacturing, you are a prime example of who we are going to be giving out Black Excellence Entrepreneurial grants to.”

Watch the moment below.

Socials:

William Carter

Recent Posts

Loren LoRosa Talks Finding Balance Between Journalism and Talent at #ESSENCEFest

As a journalist and on-air personality on The Breakfast Club, Loren LoRosa brought her signature…

1 day ago

Hope Giselle Almost Didn’t Submit ‘Not Your Average Girl’ to ESSENCE Film Festival—Then It Won Best Documentary

Before Not Your Average Girl won Best Documentary Film at the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of…

6 days ago

#EssenceFest: Daley Reflects on Personal Loss, Growth and His Long-Awaited Return to Music

For Daley, returning to New Orleans wasn't just another performance; it marked the beginning of…

7 days ago

Raheem DeVaughn on Becoming the Voice of WHUR’s The Quiet Storm: ‘I’m Blessed to Be Aligned With the Brand’

For generations across the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region, The Quiet Storm has been…

1 week ago

#EssenceFest: Artist Ricky Dillard How Gospel Shaped His House Music Journey

Award-winning artist Ricky Dillard's career has long connected gospel and Chicago house music, a crossover…

1 week ago

Shamea Morton Says Time Has Been Her Greatest Defense Amid RHOA Criticism: ‘In Time All Things Are Revealed’

Shamea Morton is embracing her second season as a full-time peach holder on The Real…

1 week ago