On the social media pages of Two Blind Brothers — the mission-driven apparel brand created by TC alumnus Bradford Manning (M.A. ’10) and his brother Bryan — you’ll meet everyone from passionate athletes to kids navigating big life milestones.
The examples are emblematic of the way the TC psychology alumnus approaches life, and the brothers’ shared goal: to encourage fellow individuals and families affected by visual impairment to fully embrace life’s opportunities despite their challenges and move forward.
“There are tons of examples, not just Bryan and [me], of people who have been really successful, who are super well-adjusted, who are competing at the highest level of society across industries and in every facet,” Manning told their followers in a 2019 video about “thriving, not coping” with visual impairment. “The truth is that this condition is not an excuse for poor psychology.”
When both Manning and Bryan were diagnosed as children with Stargardt Disease, which degenerates one’s central vision, their parents emphasized that the condition could not prevent them from pursuing their goals and aspirations.
It’s so rare in life to get a tailwind on something you’re so passionate about that has a lot of purpose for you.
That tenacity is now evident in Two Blind Brothers, which combines fashion and purpose to support research to cure blindness. Founded in 2016, the brothers conceived of the company after they accidentally selected the same shirt at Bloomingdale’s based on its softness.
Their own clothing line would go on to prioritize comfort and address key accessibility issues in the fashion space by integrating braille into its design, which allows individuals with visual impairment to more easily and independently select their own outfits and match colors. Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, Two Blind Brothers is now a nonprofit and has built a community of more than one million supporters who connect deeply with the brand.
“Bryan and I would have done this regardless of success,” says Manning, who TC honored in 2018 with the Early Career Award. “It’s so rare in life to get a tailwind on something you’re so passionate about that has a lot of purpose for you. And we just thought: ‘This is so unique. We have to do as much as we can with this.’”
Some of the products that Two Blind Brothers offers (Photo courtesy of Two Blind Brothers)
The past ten years have included numerous milestones for Two Blind Brothers, such as the brand’s first licensing deal, support from corporate partners like AT&T and Brawny, and features on news channels such as CBS and NBC. For the 2021 Paralympic Games, Two Blind Brothers even teamed up with Puma to design the French Blind Football team’s uniforms.
So what does it take to build a successful, mission-driven organization? It is this question that illuminates Manning’s background in psychology most clearly and underscores the role emotional intelligence has played in his journey.
“If you are not enthusiastic and passionate, you’re just not going to win at the highest levels because your heart won’t be in it as much as the people who are enthusiastic and passionate about it,” says Manning, a graduate of the College’s Psychology in Education program. “We have to be practical about decisions, but as part of that practical question, you have to ask yourself: Do you love this more than most people? Because if that’s the case, you’ll put in the extra hours, thought and creativity that will make you succeed.”
Alone we can go fast, but together we can go far.
That passion also drove Manning to study at TC, which he credits with imparting key lessons in listening, teaching others and relationship building that have served him both in life and his professional endeavors. “Alone we can go fast, but together we can go far,” Manning says, referencing the famous proverb.
As for what’s next for the Mannings, they remain committed to scaling Two Blind Brothers and continuing to support people who are visually impaired. Currently, numerous clinical trials and studies are examining how to slow or stop Stargardt’s progression, with the American Academy of Ophthalmology believing that a breakthrough is on the horizon.
But regardless of what the ultimate research trajectory may be, the Mannings are focused on their mission and the community they’ve built. Each year, the brothers receive thousands of questions from individuals and families affected by visual impairment about how to navigate life after the diagnosis. The advice is often the same: Keep going, and don’t let it hold you back.
“The big irony is,” Manning said in their 2018 TEDx Talk, “that vision impairment has actually given more to us than it has taken away.”