Calvin Dennis, founder of Liveblackheart (LVBH®), was born in Georgia and raised in Tallahassee, Florida. His life has always reflected a rare balance of talent, resilience, and determination. A gifted two-sport athlete, Calvin excelled in both football and baseball, ultimately earning a full athletic scholarship to the University of West Georgia. During his high school years, he was named to the Florida Class 2B All-State Team and honored with the Kappa Alpha Psi “Guide Right” Scholarship for his leadership and potential.
Behind the highlights and accolades, Calvin faced life-altering adversity that would come to define his vision.
In 2007, at just 17 years old, Calvin’s mother, Laurina Dennis, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He watched her courageously battle the disease, but within six months, she passed away, leaving a permanent mark on his heart. Two years later, in the spring of 2009, after his freshman football season in college, Calvin was involved in a fatal car accident, a moment that shook him deeply. As he continued to process that trauma, tragedy struck again the following year. In 2010, his close friend Maron Butler died in a car accident.
These back-to-back losses could have broken him. Instead, they instilled in Calvin an unshakable belief that every setback could be transformed into purpose. Out of grief came determination, and out of determination came a vision: to create something that would honor his mother, his journey, and the resilience of the human spirit. That vision became Liveblackheart.
After athletics, Calvin transitioned into the professional world with the same relentless work ethic that had carried him through his sports career. Today, he works in live sports television production, serving as a Comms Technician and A2 for ESPN. His ability to thrive under pressure and support teams in high-stakes environments reflects the discipline, focus, and teamwork he honed on the field.
Through it all, Calvin never let go of the dream born from his mother’s legacy. Liveblackheart was created to memorialize Laurina’s spirit, carrying forward the guiding mantra: “Every Heart Has A Story™.”
What began in 2011 as a small fashion idea has grown into a lifestyle brand and storytelling platform. Liveblackheart merges apparel, footwear, and accessories with authentic human connection, collecting stories of resilience, triumph, and identity from athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, and everyday people. Each piece, from handcrafted one-of-ones to full collections, is designed to hold meaning and inspire others.
The iconic heart and lightning bolt logo symbolizes strength through vulnerability, love through loss, and power through resilience. Every product tells a story, reminding people that even in adversity, there is connection, hope, and growth.
Today, Calvin’s vision for Liveblackheart extends far beyond fashion. It is a movement, a platform for storytelling, philanthropy, and cultural impact. Through story submissions, collaborations, and partnerships, LVBH aims to become a global storytelling hub, a place where voices that might otherwise go unheard are amplified and celebrated.
At its core, Calvin’s journey and the story of Liveblackheart is about transformation. From athlete to entrepreneur, from loss to legacy, his path proves that even the deepest pain can be turned into a platform for inspiration and impact.
Because Every Heart Truly Has A Story.
In Memory Of "LGD"
Laurina Genevieve Dennis
