The Legacy Behind YJL Luxury Leather Sneakers

This Black History Month Footwear Magazine is honored to feature Yohance J. Lacour who adamantly states "American history, is Black history."

While visiting my brother in Chicago I had reached out to an acquaintance I met through a clubhouse chat room during the pandemic. It was a stretch but I though I'd give it a try and see what happened. After a short message exchange I was invited to a slightly obscure location behind what appeared to be a warehouse located in the south side of Chicago. Naturally, I was curious so I went one evening to check it out and the conversations that took place were invaluable. From a quiet workshop in an old brick building, Yohance J. Lacour shared his story with us, one of resilience and strength you can feel through his words.

From his south side of Chicago workshop, the 2024 Peabody Award recipient,  leather artist and entrepreneur, creates more than just handbags and sneakers—he’s tells the story of resilience, creativity, and freedom. His journey is deeply connected to the African American experience, reflecting the struggles and triumphs of black artisans who came before him. “Where I feel a connection to craftspeople of the past is in turning difficult situations into something positive,” Lacour shares. His story is about personal growth and celebration of the enduring spirit of black creativity in the face of systemic challenges.

Lacour’s path to becoming a respected leather artist was anything but ordinary. He spent nine years in a federal prison in Duluth, Minnesota, eight of which were dedicated to mastering his craft. What started as a way to cope soon became a deep passion. “It turned into a drive to create something out of nothing,” he explains. In prison, Lacour learned leatherworking from other inmates, many of whom had spent years moving through the system, picking up skills along the way. Over time, Lacour began to innovate, developing his own techniques and sharing them with others. This exchange of knowledge and creativity behind bars mirrors a long history of black artisans finding ways to thrive despite adversity.

Since his release, Lacour has poured his experiences into building his brand, YJL. His designs reflect his past—his time in prison taught him to work with limited materials, leading to a unique collage-style approach—but they’re also inspired by the hip-hop culture he grew up with. Hip-hop’s focus on improvisation and reinvention resonates with Lacour’s creative process. “I’m pushing leather to do things I’ve never seen before,” he says. His perspective bridges the gap between high fashion and street culture. “I flip through fashion magazines looking for ideas I don’t see, then bring them back to the streets, blending what I know from the streets with a broader vision.”

Lacour’s work is part of a rich tradition of black American craftsmen, from 19th-century cobblers and seamstresses to Dapper Dan, the trailblazer of 1980s hip-hop fashion. Like these pioneers, Lacour is building a legacy. He’s deeply aware of the historical context of his craft and the systemic challenges that have shaped his journey.