Fashion Designer has Big Heart for Foster Youth

Casual chic is how designer and marketing manager duo James Morgan and Melissa Mandery describe JRoc apparel, which is a new line of clothing making its debut in Chanhassen and Excelsior in October.

James Morgan is the designer of the team. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, he says he never knew his biological parents. Adopted at age two, Morgan described his childhood in somewhat neutral terms.

“I can’t say it was bad," he said. "It was kind of like living with an aunt and uncle—a distant aunt and uncle.”

Growing up, he struggled to connect emotionally with his adoptive parents. He says it's an issue that many adopted children face.

As a teenager, he spent much of his time with relatives of his adoptive parents. They were a rough group that Morgan hesitated to call a gang, preferring to say instead that they were just really "close friends." Morgan credits a close cousin, who was also part of the group, with keeping him from breaking the law—though just barely.  

In high school, Morgan played football. After his close cousin was murdered, Morgan heeded his biological grandfather’s advice to take football more seriously. Football became his ticket out of San Antonio to Northern Michigan University.

He played football at Northern Michigan for only one year before his parents’ financial troubles led him to Italy, where he could earn money playing football while earning his college degree online.

“Because they took care of me since I was two, I figured it was my obligation to help them out," explained Morgan. "It still is.” 

From 2008 through 2010, Morgan lived in Italy. It was football that led him to Minnesota in February of 2011. But after an injury interrupted his football plans, Morgan turned to something he has always wanted to do—fashion design.

He said it all started when he was in high school. He had a friend who made t-shirts and the two thought about starting a business together. Later, his grandfather started calling him JRoc, which is now the name of his new clothing line.

Morgan has never forgotten his humble beginnings at an orphanage. Five percent of JRoc’s earnings will go to Sharing and Caring Hands, a nonprofit organization in Minneapolis that provides services and shelter for those in need, including youth.

“Just because you send a kid to a home, doesn’t mean that’s all you need to do," he said. "You need to teach that kid how to love someone, how to be loved because he doesn’t know what that looks like. I can help with a lot of these kids because I’ve been through it.”

Morgan said he hopes to mentor kids at the Sharing and Caring Hands shelter in the future.

He stressed that his clothes are more than simply stylish and comfortable. His designs are inspired by the experiences of foster children and the work of Sharing and Caring Hands.

James Morgan and JRoc apparel will be featured at a fundraising event on October 1 in Chanhassen to support Caring and Sharing Hands. From 5-9pm, guests can enjoy music, wine, appetizers and a silent auction. Tickets are $40.

A JRoc trunk show will be held at 6 pm on October 6 at . 

For more information about JRoc design and the fundraising event, visit the JRoc apparel website.