Where Intellect Meets Comfort. (And "Petty" Meets Purpose.)
The Story
Hi, I’m Dr. C (aka The Petty Professor).
People often ask how a university professor ends up designing hoodies. It started with a moment of clarity in the classroom.
I love teaching. But I realized that for my students to truly succeed, they needed to use the resources I built for them. So, when the questions came about things I had already outlined, I didn't get mad. I got "petty" (with a smile). I made a t-shirt that said: "It's in the Syllabus."
It wasn't a dismissal; it was a direction. My students didn't see it as mean. They saw it as clear.
The Paradox
That moment sparked a realization. The things we label "petty"—holding boundaries, obsessing over details, demanding clarity—are actually forms of care.
I built this brand on the Petty Paradox: The belief that you can be soft and strong. Comfortable and professional. You can wear a blazer to command a room, but wear a tagless tee underneath to protect your peace.
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This isn’t just about clever slogans on a t-shirt. It’s about survival.
As a Black woman in Higher Ed and a mother to two neurodivergent children (Ian, who is Autistic, and Addy, who navigates ADHD and anxiety), I live at the intersection of "High Standards" and "High Sensory Needs." I saw a gap.
I saw brands that were "sensory-friendly" but Addy outgrew them. I saw brands that were "culturally cool" but physically uncomfortable. They couldn't promise tag-free. My kids needed tagless armor that felt like a hug. They're not alone.
That need birthed BLKxND (pronounced Black and Neurodivergent)—our dedicated label designed specifically for the intersection of culture and sensory processing.
Comfort is a foundation. Without it, we struggle to focus. We struggle to show up as our brilliant selves.
Two Voices. One Cozy Rebellion.
We operate as one family with two distinct expressions, both built on our Tactile Design Framework™ (No tags. Soft seams. Sensory safety).
Petty Professor is the voice of the Educator and the Professional. It’s witty, academic, and holds boundaries. (Think: "It's in the Syllabus.")
BLKxND by Petty Professor is the voice of the Neurodivergent Individual. It is sensory armor designed to affirm identity without saying a word.
Whether you are commanding a lecture hall or navigating a sensory-overloaded world, we have you covered.
Dr. C
Founder, Petty Professor & BLKxND