icons like Nipsey Hussle, who used his platform to uplift his community, and Virgil Abloh, who broke barriers in the fashion industry. “I’m inspired by people who are not afraid to be themselves and who are not afraid to take risks and break barriers,” he says
Action Figures: The Ones Who Believe in What’s Next and Make Every Move Count
Introducing Action Figures, a dynamic content series created in partnership with DraftKings that shines a spotlight on the game-changers, the innovators, and the trailblazers who are rewriting the playbook. These are the athletes, creators, and visionaries who share a common mindset: belief in their moves, hustle in every play, and passion in their pursuit.
Meet Steven Barter: The Founder of Barriers Worldwide
In the first installment of Action Figures, we turn the spotlight on Steven Barter, the founder of Barriers Worldwide. But don’t let the title fool you, Barter is quick to point out that his success is a team effort. “My name is Steven Barter and I am the owner and creator of Barriers WorldWide. But I have a big team behind me that helps make this brand a reality,” he explains. Like a skilled point guard, Barter sets the vision, but it’s the people around him who bring it to life.
Barter’s journey began in Los Angeles, where he found inspiration in vintage shops. “That’s when I fell in love with vintage tees and rap tees. I realized I could do it in a cool way,” he recalls. And that’s when the idea struck him: why not use fashion as a platform to honor overlooked legacies, just like we do with icons like Tupac and Mike Tyson? “I see these heroes in books, but I never see them on a t-shirt,” he says. And with that, Barriers Worldwide was born.
From Grassroots to Cultural Force
What started as a grassroots idea has now become a cultural staple, worn by the likes of Michael B. Jordan, Cynthia Erivo, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden. But Barter’s success didn’t come easy. He compares his hustle to that of sports icons like Kobe Bryant and Tom Brady, always pushing forward despite setbacks and doubts from others. “From cars breaking down on the way to print shops to moments when no one else believed in my vision, I kept pressing forward,” he shares.
And that relentlessness paid off, especially during the cultural shifts following the Black Lives Matter movement. As consumers began to seek meaning in what they wore, Barriers Worldwide became a powerful statement and a way to honor and celebrate Black history. But for Barter, the brand is more than just fashion, it’s a bridge that connects communities.
Barriers History: Bringing Storytelling Directly to the Community
In addition to his clothing brand, Barter also launched a nonprofit called Barriers History this year. Teaming up with NBA players and educators, Barriers History brings storytelling directly to the community. Barter describes hosting a basketball camp with John Wall as “really dope” and explains that the work gives him energy. “I draw a lot of energy from the community—people passionate about Black history share ideas, spark conversations and help build meaningful projects together,” he says.
Inspired by Icons Who Break Barriers
Barter’s inspirations reflect his ethos of breaking barriers and giving back to the community. He looks up to icons like Nipsey Hussle, who used his platform to uplift his community, and Virgil Abloh, who broke barriers in the fashion industry. “I’m inspired by people who are not afraid to be themselves and who are not afraid to take risks and break barriers,” he says.
