By Ameera Steward | For the Birmingham Times
When it comes to fashion, even something as simple as a pair of socks can make a statement.
James Parker Jr. should know. He’s the creative visionary behind Parker Craft Collective. Parker’s new business offers unique and stylish socks but aims to be much more.
Parker, 35, describes Parker Craft Collective as a “Birmingham-based creative business dedicated to using design, storytelling, and community-driven initiatives to make meaningful local impact.”
And he believes it’s his duty to invest in dignity, compassion, and community restoration with his new business.
Faith, Service, & Community
Parker grew up in Attalla, Alabama, with parents James Parker Sr. and Janine Stewart, both ordained ministers at Ekklesia Ministries in Sheffield, Alabama.
“I was raised in an environment where faith, service and community were emphasized, which instilled a strong sense of purpose [in me] early on,” Parker said. “Being actively involved in church and community spaces taught me the value of leadership, creativity, and [the art of] using my gifts to impact others.”
He added that his family’s strong involvement in church and community guided him into roles where he could combine purpose and execution through creative direction, storytelling, and team leadership.
“I learned how to serve people while also building systems, creating engaging experiences, and bringing vision to life,” Parker said. “Today, that foundation continues to drive me [by influencing] how I lead, how I create, and how I approach every opportunity with intention, excellence, and a desire to make a meaningful impact.”
He attended Etowah High School, where his love for socks as a statement piece began.
“I wanted to be bold and express myself, but not too bold, and I felt like socks were a good way to express my personality,” he said. “So I just started wearing bold socks… [doing so] makes me feel confident, expressive, and set apart. It’s a small detail, but it shifts my mindset.”
Parker added that wearing bold socks helps him feel intentional about how he shows up because for him, “it’s not just style, it’s a statement that I refuse to blend in or dress ordinary.”
He graduated in 2008 and went on to Jacksonville State University to study business administration. However, he decided to leave in 2011 because he was unfocused and unsure about what he wanted to do with his life.
Parker moved to Birmingham in 2022 after being hired at Wells Fargo. Now, he works for Birmingham Promise, where he enjoys making an impact within Birmingham City Schools, and through Parker Craft Collective.
Inspired by his parents’ journeys and a desire to grow in his faith, Parker decided to attend Adullam Bible College in 2025.
“I wanted a deeper understanding of scripture, clarity in my purpose, and the ability to lead and serve others more effectively,” said Parker. “It was a step of commitment to develop both spiritually and practically so I could make a meaningful impact.”
He will also be attending Talladega College to earn his degree in business administration. He plans to graduate in 2027.
Designed to Stand Out
Parker said that for years, he’d been thinking of starting a business creating socks with a bit of personality.
“I always wanted a sock business,” Parker said. “I’ve always been interested in Happy Socks [a Swedish manufacturer, designer and retailer of socks and other apparel], very bold, loud socks — that’s my way of expressing myself…But I guess because I had other things going on, I just put it in the back of my head.”
But then, Parker started making vision boards with everything he wanted out of life, and “I just woke up one day and said I’m going to start doing these things that are on my vision board.”
He came up with and trademarked the name Parker Craft Collective, created a logo, and established a limited liability corporation (LLC).
“I did everything from scratch,” he said. And Parker Craft Collective was born.
He’s started with socks, but as the business grows, Parker wants to add other garments to his collection and “make an impact on the community.”
Parker Craft Collective currently sells colorful and specially designed socks for $15.15 that take its customers to the next level, and with that, Parker has started the initiative “buy one, give one.” Through this initiative, each product sold helps provide essential items to individuals experiencing homelessness in Birmingham.
Built to Give Back
Through his “buy one, give one” initiative each pair of socks sold provides a pair of socks to an unhoused person.
Parker said that when he started Parker Craft Collective, it was never just about making money.
“That was never the absolute intent of the business,” he said. “I really want to make an impact in my community.”
He added that one of his best friends asked him, “‘You know a lot of people, but what can they attach your name to?’” He then told Parker, ‘You want to do something that you can attach your name to, what people would know you by.’
“That’s what inspired me to go ahead and [start] the business,” said Parker. “But…I [also] want to be a blessing to somebody, and I feel like [the ‘buy one, give one’ initiative] was the best way [to] do it.”
Since Parker Craft Collective is in its early stages, Parker is currently seeking partnerships to help him find individuals who can receive the donations.
“There are people that need help,” he added. “[This is] my way of giving back…giving [unhoused people] assurance that people do care.”
Parker said, “Not only am I helping people express themselves through fashion, I’m also trying to help my community by giving back to the homeless as well. [Parker Craft Collective] is a business giving back to the community…making a huge impact in the city of Birmingham.”
He’s made such an impact that Parker recently won the Network Navigator Rising Star Small Business Award.
“I’m grateful and humbled to have received such a prestigious award,” he said. “I was shocked because I honestly wasn’t expecting to win, being that the other two businesses have been in business longer than I have and are very successful.”
Parker Craft Collective doesn’t design ordinary socks, and because of its focus on community impact, it’s also not your ordinary business.
Learn more at parkercraftcollective.com.
