About Us
From the heart.
In community.
For the sole.
Heart Kicks holds space for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled youth to use shoes as a gateway to their authentic selves. We restore more than sneakers — we restore stories, pride, and purpose.
01 — From the Heart
A message from the founder
Greetings, if you're reading this, thank you. You've not only taken interest in the work of Heart Kicks, but are also bearing witness to healing in action: through shoe restoration, art, and community.
My name is Leroy Mitchell (any/all), and I am the founder of Heart Kicks. I created Heart Kicks in June 2023 as the next step in my own process of healing and coming home to myself. On November 28th, 2022, at only 29 years old, I experienced a heart attack that completely altered my life and who I understood myself to be. Years of overworking, avoiding vulnerability, and neglecting my own needs had taken their toll — not just on my mental health, but on my physical health as well.
One day, while thrifting, I found a pair of shoes I liked but that needed to be cleaned. As I began repairing them, I felt a wave of calm and heard a quiet but resounding internal "yes." Customizing shoes allowed me to center joy, be present with myself, and nurture parts of my heart — both literally and figuratively — that I didn't know needed love.
In my work with youth, I noticed many of them were experiencing the same stress, anxiety, and disconnection I had felt. At our first event, the space we created allowed youth to share their challenges, support each other, and connect in powerful ways. From that experience, I developed a curriculum that draws direct connections between shoe restoration and mental health.
Since then, Heart Kicks has supported 83 youth through our workshops. We like to say: people come for the shoes, but they stay for the community, the care, and the love. We believe everyone deserves the chance to come home to themselves.
From the heart, Leroy Mitchell — Founder, Heart Kicks
02 — How We Step
Mission, vision & values
Through community, vulnerability, and self-exploration, Heart Kicks holds space for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled youth to use shoes as a gateway to their authentic selves. By merging shoe design with mental health, youth explore their identities, build community, and center wellness.
Our process blends art and intentional design to create healing experiences where everyone can express themselves boldly, joyfully, and unapologetically. We're not just designing kicks — we're designing a future where youth lead the conversation on mental health, identity, and equity.
Vision
Communities where people feel liberated to unapologetically express themselves, radically love who they are within, and unite to advocate for others.
Connection
We connect people's stories, identities, and dreams to custom sneakers that reflect who they are. Every pair is a conversation — every client, part of our community.
Authenticity
Self-expression is sacred. Our process invites you to design from the inside out — honoring your truth, your culture, and your creativity.
Restoration
Like sneakers, we all deserve to be restored with care. From mental health to community healing, we approach our work with compassion and purpose.
Joy
Joy is not an afterthought — it's the goal. Whether through color, conversation, or creation, our work says yes to your wholeness.