About Us
We came up with ITL over 20 years ago as a result of the trials we’ve been through in our relationship. We wanted a way to raise awareness about interracial love - to reach across the world, to let others know they’re not alone. To let them know there’s no reason to feel shame, and to let them know that there is support. We don’t want other people to have to go through what we did, enduring the negativity and ridicule that come part and parcel with loving someone whose skin color is a different shade simply because society says it’s wrong.
“Everyone we sought out, turned us away.”
We wanted to offer something tangible that could be displayed on an item of a persons choosing. If we can help bring awareness, stop some of the judgement, and spread love to others, then this world would be a better place.
In 2001, we mailed a certified letter to ourselves and designed a couple of decals. We had hats, bandanas, and t-shirts made as well. We filed for a patent in 2002. Two years later, we received our trademark. We created a website where we sold decals ( as well as on eBay), allowed people to share their stories, and ask questions. We sent out mass-mailing letters along with an ITL decal and distributed them all over the country in hopes of spreading awareness.
We tried unsuccessfully to find a person or organization that could lead us in the right direction regarding marketing, advertising, and manufacturing - or simply to give us advise. Everyone we sought out, turned us away. Friends who said they would help - and had the resources to help - didn’t follow through. Our lives got busy with kids and careers, and unfortunately ITL was put on the back burner.
In February of 2022, we renewed our efforts to pursue our vision and our passion. We visited nearly every print shop in the area to have our merchandise made. However, there have been issues with all of them. One company deliberately misprinted our shirts because he didn’t agree with our relationship - and then demanded payment, even though the shirts were useless. We had to get an attorney involved in order to resolve the matter. We’ve had people try to steal our idea, only to find out that we already have it trademarked. We tried using a Shopify store but weren’t satisfied with not being able to examine the merchandise before it was delivered. to our customers. We created Facebook and Instagram pages for ITL. We’re hoping to reach as many people as possible through our website.
Whenever we’re out and about, we hand out decals, because our fight to bring awareness to interracial love continues!
“ The Story of Willie and Kim…”
Founders
- Before they “officially” met, Willie first saw Kim in the corridor of the high school they both attended.
She was wearing a red shirt (which he called a “cape shirt,” due to the way it was designed), black pants, and black shoes. He tried to get her attention, but she just ignored him. He spoke to his friends to find out who this girl was and sent them on a mission to get the two of them together.
Sometime later, Willie and Kim met for the first time on December 21st, 1991, at a club for teens called The Rio. Neither one knew the other would be there. When Kim saw Willie for the first time, she heard a voice out of nowhere that that said: “This is the man you will spend the rest of your life with.” At the thought of this, Kim literally laughed out loud; because, of course, this voice couldn’t be right. Willie was African American, and Kim was white.
They dated for a year in secret, as dating outside their race was not accepted by family and was frowned upon by society. A little over a year into their relationship, the principal of the high school called Kim’s dad and informed him that his daughter and Willie were seeing each other. The principal stated, in no uncertain terms, that “Kim is hanging around one particular black guy named Willie McLawhorn. I know Kim was not raised this way. She comes from a good family.”
Needless to say, this news wasn’t well received. Soon thereafter, the two families met to discuss the relationship between their children. Willie and Kim were only allowed to be around each other while in the presence of other friends or in a group setting. Kim was given a strict curfew and forbidden to “date” Willie.
For the next couple of years, their relationship was tense, due to family members’ negative opinions about them being together and the judgment they faced in their everyday surroundings.
Willie graduated two years before Kim and got a good job – where he recently retired as Superintendent after 30 years of service. He was determined to overcome the adversity he and Kim had faced and to make the relationship work. Willie bought a house when he was 21 years old, which was also right about the time that Kim graduated from high school. Her family was moving to South Carolina, so it was a blessing that Kim was able to move in with Willie. The couple continued their education, and both received college degrees.
Over the years, Willie and Kim have enjoyed their careers, and the opportunity they’ve had to create a good life for their family. They love spending time with their two beautiful and successful daughters. Among their many hobbies and pastimes, Willie and Kim enjoy traveling, riding motorcycles, and four-wheelers, hiking, and playing with their Cane Corso dogs.
Throughout the years, they’ve heard many racially charged comments, endured endless dirty looks, and been judged as a couple based solely on their skin color. The numerous injustices they’ve experienced are way too many to list. The couple has been excluded from functions, left out of parties that “friends” were throwing, not been invited to outside work activities (while all the other white couples were extended invitations), as well as several other offenses.
It takes a strong person – and an even stronger couple – to overcome the discrimination of this cruel world. Willie and Kim have been together for over 30 years and married for 27 years. They recently welcomed their first grandchild into their family. Even after everything they’ve been through, it’s all been worth it. Given the chance, Willie and Kim would do it all again. God knew what He was doing when he placed the two of them in each other’s path – it was His voice that boldly told Kim that Willie was the man she would spend the rest of her life with.
With their beliefs, drive, and dedication, there’s nothing these two can’t overcome. They want to share their experience with the world so that others know an interracial relationship can be successful and rewarding. Love is worth it!