I’m DeJongh “Dee” Wells. I grew up in St. Thomas and St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and I’ve spent more than two decades connecting footwear, culture, education, and community.
I co-founded Obsessive Sneaker Disorder in 2007 and SOLEcial Studies Community Academy in 2011. Through those platforms, I’ve helped turn conversations about sneakers into media, learning experiences, and opportunities for young people. I also co-curated Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture at the Bata Shoe Museum.
My work has taken me into classrooms, museums, and collaborations with brands. In 2021, the City of Worcester, Massachusetts, recognized my work with young people by presenting me with the Key to the City.