Circa 1837 Celebrates Rich Legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities With Launch of Women's Collegiate Apparel Line

DETROIT, Dec. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Circa 1837, a new web-based company that offers Historically Black College and University (HBCU) collegiate apparel and accessories, today announced the launch of its Detroit-based operations. Joining an increasing number of Bizdom U startups helping drive the Detroit 2.0 initiative to develop a creative, new business-focused urban core, Circa 1837 provides women the opportunity to display their school spirit with class and style through a collection of officially licensed collegiate and sorority merchandise.

"Circa 1837 celebrates the beauty, class, and pride that embodies millions of women from Historically Black Colleges and Universities," said Clover McFadden, Founder and CEO of Circa 1837 and Howard University Alumna, who leads a growing group of young professionals returning to Detroit after graduation. "We want to raise awareness of HBCUs -- their history, legacy and traditions -- and the great people that attended them."

McFadden formed Circa 1837 after becoming frustrated with the lack of available feminine and stylish HBCU apparel. Realizing others shared her frustration, she entered Bizdom U, the nonprofit, entrepreneurship accelerator established by Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman and Cleveland Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert in 2007.

Based in downtown Detroit, Bizdom U is a comprehensive program that provides entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn from professionals with real-world experience, and receive the tools and funding necessary to implement their ideas and create startup businesses. Bizdom U uses the proceeds from its share of ownership in the businesses, which must reside in Detroit city limits, to sustain its operations and seed future Detroit-based businesses.

"Circa 1837 provides women who are passionate about their alma maters the means to express themselves and represent their school or sorority," said McFadden. "Whether you're an HBCU student, faculty member, alumna, or fan, there is something for every woman who wants to be stylish and share her school pride."

Signifying the date the first HBCU was founded, Circa 1837's contemporary clothing line features a wide variety of apparel, representing more than 24 of the most prominent HBCUs and Black sororities, including Howard University, Florida A&M University, Spelman College, Alabama State University, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and more. Apparel is available in all women's sizes with prices ranging from $30 - $50, and can be purchased through the www.c1837.com website.

"I'm proud to be an HBCU graduate -- more than half of all Black professionals graduated from an HBCU," said McFadden. "As for the sororities, the lifetime commitment these women make to their organization and community is incredible, and my goal is to reflect that dedication in Circa 1837's collection."

For more information or to find your favorite HBCU's apparel, please visit www.c1837.com.

About Circa 1837:

Circa 1837 connects women with their Historically Black College & University (HBCU) Alma Maters, Historically Black Sororities, and other service and social organizations. The company was created to provide these women an opportunity to display their school and organizational spirit with class and style through collections of officially licensed collegiate and sorority merchandise. Circa 1837 features apparel from over 24 of the most prominent HBCUs and black sororities including Howard University, Florida A&M University, Spelman College, Alabama State University, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and more. For more information, please visit www.c1837.com.

About Bizdom U:

Bizdom U helps aspiring entrepreneurs turn their ideas into well developed, client focused business concepts and get their startups funded, by surrounding them with top business, sales, marketing and technology experts.  Bizdom is a non-profit, entrepreneurship accelerator launched by Dan Gilbert, Founder and Chairman of Quicken Loans Inc., and Majority Owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, in January 2007. The goal of the Bizdom U program is to create an entrepreneurial hub in the city of Detroit. Bizdom U is comprised of two elements:  Idea Generator, an eight-week, part-time program that shows aspiring entrepreneurs how to develop their idea, research it and turn it into a business, and Launch Labs, a three month, full-time, accelerator where entrepreneurs receive up to $25,000 in seed funding to launch their business with the assistance of business, sales, marketing and web development experts. The launched businesses must be headquartered in Detroit or Cleveland. Bizdom U maintains an 8 percent share of ownership in each business to fund future entrepreneurs that will launch even more innovative businesses in these cities. For more information, visit www.Bizdom.com.

SOURCE Bizdom U