Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design (PLC) has announced an initiative with Pepsi and MillerKnoll to create a new student lounge at its HBCU campus in Detroit.

PLC students Angel Buckens and Rodney Banks were selected for their winning design for what will be called the Pepsi Stronger Together Relax and Refresh Lounge.

“In developing this program, PepsiCo made it clear they shared Pensole Lewis's mission in making the design field more accessible by creating more opportunities within it,” Dr. D'Wayne Edwards, president at the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design, said in a statement. “We've seen the success that comes with opening students' eyes to new career paths in the industry and unlocking more ways they can apply their talents. With programs backed by partners that have the scale and breadth of PepsiCo and MillerKnoll, we can push the industry forward by developing, training, and shaping the next generation of talented Black designers.”

The news comes just weeks after PLC launched Jems by Pensole, a $3 million footwear factory built in partnership with Designers Brands Inc., the company behind DSW stores.

In addition, Pepsi also awarded design apprenticeships to Buckens and Banks. This summer, they will participate in a 10-week program with the PepsiCo Design and Innovation team in New York City, according to a statement.

The partnership is expected to increase Black representation in the design industry, where designers currently represent only three per cent of the sector. It will also provide mentorship, training, and a job pipeline from Pepsi and MillerKnoll.

The lounge, which incorporated design principles and functional elements, and furniture supplied by MillerKnoll and its collective of brands, will be dedicated to author Kevin Carroll, who inspired him to start the Pensole brand.

“Our partnership with Pensole Lewis is about providing resources to help address the barriers that specifically hinder Black talent from entering a career in design. By giving students access to some of the industry's best designers at PepsiCo, we can offer valuable resources and mentorship for the next generation of creatives," Mauro Porcini, senior vice president and chief design officer at Pepsi, said in a statement. “To drive innovation, we must create a pipeline for more diverse perspectives and backgrounds to enter the design field. Our hope is that through education, inspiration, and recruitment, PepsiCo's program with Pensole Lewis will champion that.”

NBA star Russell Westbrook and radio personality Angela Yee are also supporting the initiative between PLC and Pepsi.

The initiative is part of a $400 million commitment over five years from Pepsi as the company looks to increase Black representation internally, support Black-owned businesses, and create economic opportunities.