MALCOLM X HISTORY TEE

For many, the crown may slip, but for Brandon D. Cox, it has never fallen. Even after 18 years of incarceration—an imprisonment marked by a flawed conviction and an ongoing battle for freedom—Brandon’s crown remains firmly in place, albeit crooked. But that crookedness is precisely where his strength lies.

Brandon’s story begins in North Omaha, a neighborhood synonymous with struggle, where he was raised by a mother whose strength and resilience molded him into the man he is today. “She was my backbone,” Brandon recalls, his voice filled with reverence. “Everything I am, I owe to her.”

Before his imprisonment, Brandon and his mother were planning his funeral. Today, however, he’s very much alive—not just existing, but thriving, even behind bars. “I’m blessed to still be here, to be a father to my five beautiful children, and to build something that will last long after I’m gone,” he says.

That something is Crookd Crown Clothier, an urban streetwear brand that defies convention, much like Brandon himself. “Our tagline, Redefining Royalty, speaks to all of us who’ve faced adversity,” Brandon explains. “We’re not perfect; our crowns may be crooked, but we still stand tall. We still reign.”

Brandon’s entrepreneurial spirit is matched only by his love for his children, who are the driving force behind everything he does. “My babies are my world,” he says. “I want to inspire them to chase their dreams, to know that their environment doesn’t define them. With hard work and determination, they can achieve anything.”

But Crookd Crown Clothier is more than just a brand—it’s a platform for change. Brandon is passionate about justice reform and committed to giving back to children of incarcerated parents. “I know what it’s like to be separated from the ones you love,” he says. “I want to make a difference for those kids who feel that pain every day.”

Now, Brandon is expanding his impact beyond fashion with the release of his debut book, Hustle Reimagined: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Beating the Odds. The book, which earned him the title of award-winning author in the non-fiction (occupational) category from Readers' Favorite, is a bold and honest guide for anyone who refuses to let their past define their future. Brandon shares how he turned adversity into opportunity, using grit, creativity, and vision to build a brand from behind bars.

As he continues to fight for his freedom, Brandon remains focused, determined, and undeterred by the challenges he faces. “This is only the beginning,” he declares. “I will be home, and together with my family, we’ll continue to redefine what it means to wear a crown, no matter how crooked it may be. None of this would be possible without my rock and her unwavering love, dedication, and consistency, and the endless love and inspiration my Baby Cakes provides. Love y’all.”