DeJongh “Dee” Wells was born and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands and has established himself as a prominent sneaker anthropologist. His career bridges the worlds of footwear, culture, and social impact. Dee is the co-founder of both OSD (Obsessive Sneaker Disorder) and the SOLEcial Studies CommUNITY Academy. OSD is a consulting agency specializing in the athletic footwear industry, while the SOLEcial Studies Academy provides education about the diverse careers and opportunities within the footwear industry. As a sought-after speaker and facilitator, Dee has led discussions on the cultural, social, and historical significance of sneakers. His work covers topics such as relationships, gender, identity, economic justice, race, and the evolving role of sneakers in shaping contemporary culture. He is also a co-founder of Future Focus Media & Youth Training Institute, a film and photography cooperative that was based in Worcester, MA, providing valuable media production skills to young people. One of Dee’s most notable achievements was co-curating the renowned exhibition “Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture”, organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum. This groundbreaking exhibition, first launched in 2013 at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, garnered international acclaim across North America and Australia. Dee also contributed to the book accompanying the exhibition, authored by Elizabeth Semmelhack and published by Rizzoli Electa. In recognition of his contributions to youth empowerment and sneaker culture, Dee was awarded the Key to the City of Worcester, Massachusetts in 2021. Currently, Dee is spearheading the development of The GRAIL’D Sneaker Museum in Houston, TX. This unique museum will be the first of its kind, dedicated to celebrating the global impact of sneakers and streetwear fashion.