TCR Exclusive: Kenneth Dabney Is Turning “Below Average” Into a Major Movement

For New Orleans entrepreneur Kenneth Dabney, being counted out has never been the end of the story—it’s been the motivation behind everything he’s building. As the Founder and Creative Director of Below Average Clothing, Dabney has transformed a name rooted in humility, resilience, and self-belief into a growing movement connecting fashion, music, faith, and community. In this exclusive conversation with Tha Culture Report, Dabney opens up about the doubts that fueled his ambition, the importance of investing in himself, his “BIG GOD little me” philosophy, and his vision for taking Below Average from a New Orleans-born brand to a worldwide platform. Through every venture, his message remains clear: success isn’t about who believes in you at the beginning; it’s about believing in your own vision, putting in the work when nobody is watching, and trusting God to guide the journey.

1. Growing up in New Orleans, you experienced people making assumptions about you based on your size, appearance, and skin color. How did those experiences shape your mindset, and when did you realize you could turn being underestimated into something powerful?

Hearing the doubt from others about me pushed me to want better for myself, I know what I’m capable of the person doubting me doesn’t so I used it to my advantage, something as simple as you can’t lift 225 on bench and then I get there and do it 7,8 times… doubt comes from people not knowing the work you are putting in when no one is looking so I pride myself on doing work when the lights are off

2. You’ve described a journey of investing your time, energy, and resources into other people’s visions before deciding to invest in yourself. Was there a specific moment when you knew it was time to bet on your own ideas and build something of your own?

Yes, I think that time was when I last invested 8.5k in someone and they didn’t take it as serious as I would have only because it wasn’t their initial payment to start, even though I was investing in them they didn’t feel the need to push because it wasn’t their money, and in my head I’m thinking it’s going to make them go that much harder but it didn’t, we naturally go harder or take care of things we have to actually use our own funds and hard work for to appreciate the outcome of the risk

3. The name Below Average challenges the way society measures success and worth. What does the name represent to you personally, and how do you want someone wearing your brand to feel when they put it on?

The name for me represents humility, because the name can be taken different ways based on a persons mindset, so for me my mindset is coming from being counted out and always having to prove why I belong, turning all the No’s into Yes’s, and the brand speaks to everyone because no one person can say they haven’t been doubted so when wearing this brand, wear it as a statement piece showing that you beat the odds.

4. Below Average has grown beyond fashion into music and culture. What inspired you to expand the brand into a larger creative platform, and how do you make sure every venture stays connected to its original mission?

Yea, so the music for me was a idea I know as people we watch our favorite artist and mimic style so instead of reaching out to the drakes and futures why not reach directly into my city and build with them, the artist on the take are on my Mount Rushmore for New Orleans as a sound, and the venture will always be connected as long as it involves God and I trust the thoughts he instill in me to spread a message across the world

5. In 2026, Below Average released its seven-track Below Average EP, featuring New Orleans artists including Willhebe, 3dNatee, GreatWhite, MaxxP, Jay Jones, and Kidd Kidd. Why was it important for you to use music as another way to represent the brand, and what story did you want this project to tell?

Music is everyones go to, for healing, for answers, for feelings… so I wanted to orchestrate different backgrounds and how each individual artist overcame adversity from their different environments, but with the knowledge knowing that Gods timing is why they are where they are now

6. As someone building a brand that connects fashion, music, and entrepreneurship, what opportunities do you see for independent artists and creatives in New Orleans? Are you looking to develop Below Average into a platform that helps talent build sustainable careers beyond just releasing music or clothing?

New Orleans is full of opportunities, once we all start working together it’ll be impossible for any other state to compete, the rawest and purest talent comes from New Orleans, most with no guidance just real talent, if my platform can accommodate upcoming talent then so be it, I have no issues with helping someone reach their full potential, I move off what’s genuine and if the interactions are genuine then take advantage of the opportunity

7. Beyond Below Average Clothing and the music side of the business, what other ventures are you building, and how do they fit into your long-term vision? How do you balance being a creative director with the responsibilities of being an entrepreneur?

I have a couple of other business ventures up my sleeve I’m not ready to announce yet, but I look for longevity profit matters but the integrity of what’s being built means the most to me, I take it one day at a time, that’s how I balance things I may think 10 steps ahead but I don’t live 10 steps ahead, I live in real time with real people and everyday I learn from it, the goal is to be better and that comes with making mistakes so I’m aware of that and I make better decisions after making any…

8. The phrase “BIG GOD little me” is central to the brand’s philosophy. What does that message mean in your everyday life, and how does your faith influence the decisions you make as a business owner and creative?

BIG GOD little me come from me knowing I am nothing with out GOD, I did not wake myself up, I’m not where I am solely because of me, it’s because of the grace and mercy he has over my life, I recite the same bible verse every morning for the last 15 years… Luke 14:11 for those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those humble themselves with be exalted ! My decisions good bad or indifferent ultimately come from God, I trust him and whatever thoughts I have he put them there I follow him while leading others.

9. Your 2026 back-to-school car show and giveaway distributed approximately 250 backpacks to children while bringing together families, businesses, and community organizations. What motivated you to create that event, and what does giving back to New Orleans mean to you?

The event was me trying to figure out how to accommodate everyone , kids back to school, how to make it fun I did the bounce house and game truck, car enthusiast love show off their cars, what better way to do that then at a event where kids will be all over it saying which one is their favorite and just having willing vendors to come out and support the event as a whole made the parents want to come out and test the food listen to music and just be able to go somewhere have fun and not spend any money, that’s a great day for any parent especially any parent with multiple kids, it mean a lot to give back to the city that taught me so much, I love New Orleans in it’s entirety 

10. Below Average represents more than a clothing brand—it speaks to athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, and everyday people who have been overlooked. How do you plan to turn that shared experience into a stronger community and create opportunities for people who may not otherwise have access to them?

The opportunities will come the more I expand being able to have openings for jobs or just being able to connect people with people , I’m resourceful so everyone is a valuable piece to the brand, I may be the owner but the brand is for everyone

11. Building a brand across multiple industries comes with challenges, especially when people may not immediately understand the vision. What has been your biggest lesson so far, and what would you say to the person who has an idea but is afraid to pursue it because others don’t believe in them?

Biggest lesson learned is not to rush, I’m a person that want things and I’ll do what needs to be done to get it now, I’m not a wait-er… and I’d tell anyone if you got a idea go full throttle with it, it’s your idea no one has to believe but you do! And if you don’t believe how can you expect someone else to believe, that’s like I see other brand owners wearing gucci, or Louis Vuitton, why? If you can’t 100% wear your own brand how can you ask or expect someone else to wear it!

12. When people look back on Kenneth Dabney and the Below Average movement years from now, what do you want your legacy to be? Where do you see the brand—in fashion, music, business, and community—in the next five years?

Honestly I don’t want it to be a look back thing, because years from now I want it to still be relevant and overly successful, I’m going to teach my son and daughter the way and hope they bring new ideas to expand and grow the audience of the brand, this is theirs… the brand as a whole all avenues in five years, multiple cities, states, countries… really genuinely worldwide, giving the brand a visual is the full circle moment to understanding the real meaning looking and hearing past how below average sounds but know the meaning!

Website: baverageclothing.com