Founded in 2020, August Gill Apparel emerged as a testament to resilience and self-discovery. Faced with the challenges of a pandemic and the urgency of societal change, Rannette realized she had been suppressing her authentic voice, hiding parts of her identity as a Black woman, the daughter of a Belizean immigrant, an Eastside Detroit native, a mother, and a wife.

In her journey to reclaim her truth, Rannette began crafting wearable messages as a personal cue—to summon the courage to speak up and to confidently embrace her authentic self. What started as a deeply personal expression quickly resonated with others. Her story sparked conversations, and people began requesting shirts of their own. From this shared connection, August Gill Apparel was born.

The August Gill name is a mashup in representation of Rannette’s maternal and paternal lineage, and a tribute to the one-of-a-kind background that makes up who she is, and who she will become. 

August Gill Apparel is a company with a mission to inspire conversation through using your voice and being unapologetically heard.