THE OWNER
RAY ROBINSON, FOUNDER, DIRECTOR & OWNER
Our FOUNDER
Mr. Ray Robinson, Founder & Director started OLM THE AGENCY™ on April 4th.,1985.
Our History
OLM THE AGENCY™ is the world's oldest Black-owned modeling agency and is the world's top Black-owned modeling agency.
Founded by Ray Robinson on April 4, 1985, OLM THE AGENCY™ specializes in representing models of color and securing bookings for national print advertising campaigns.
Key details about OLM THE AGENCY™:
- Specialization: The agency's primary focus is placing its models in high-paying national print ads, with some one-day bookings earning between $10,000 and $50,000. While it specializes in women of color, it is a full-service firm that also represents models for runway, trade shows, music videos, and other events.
- Clientele: Most of the clients of OLM THE AGENCY™ are advertising agencies. It is ad agencies which hire the models for most print ad campaigns.
- Our Models: Many of the models represented by OLM THE AGENCY™ maintain regular full-time jobs, and they take on modeling bookings for additional income. The agency emphasizes that it is for serious applicants who are committed to doing modeling bookings for supplemental earnings.
- Founder: Ray Robinson established the agency on April 4th., 1985 to break barriers in the fashion industry. A photo with fashion icon Beverly Johnson, the first Black model on the cover of American Vogue, highlights Robinson's longstanding status in the industry.
- Locations: OLM THE AGENCY™ has multiple offices across the United States, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Its main New York office is at Rockefeller Plaza.
- Business model: The agency's mission is to provide a supportive and inclusive environment while connecting talented models with the best opportunities. It screens applicants through appointments and interviews. It also provides guidance on obtaining professional photos for "test shots".
- Award recognition: OLM THE AGENCY™ was recognized by the Chamber of Commerce in 2016 for being the oldest Black-owned modeling agency in the U.S. and still holds that title.
