Black Influencer Overcomes Hoodie Fears After Trayvon Martin Tragedy

Justin Frett went viral on TikTok for sharing his journey of embracing hoodies despite the painful legacy of Trayvon Martin's death.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Content creator Justin Frett was a teenager when Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in a hoodie in 2012. The case prompted conversations around racial profiling and led Frett to avoid wearing hoodies for years. But recently, Frett decided to buy himself a Y/Project hoodie and says it has made him feel "confident" despite his years spent resisting the article of clothing.

Why it matters

The Trayvon Martin case highlighted the dangerous racial biases and stereotypes that can lead to the unjust targeting and killing of young Black men. Frett's story illustrates how these tragic events can have a lasting psychological impact, but also the power of reclaiming one's identity and self-expression in the face of fear and oppression.

The details

After the Trayvon Martin shooting, Frett made the decision to stop wearing hoodies, fearing he would be seen as a threat. However, he recently bought a Y/Project hoodie that he says has made him feel "confident" and helped him overcome the "background noise and trauma" associated with the case. Frett's viral TikTok video about his journey has resonated with many, both Black and non-Black, who have expressed empathy for his story.

  • Trayvon Martin was fatally shot on February 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida.
  • Frett opened up about his experience on TikTok on January 19, 2026.

The players

Justin Frett

A 25-year-old Black content creator who went viral on TikTok for sharing his personal journey of overcoming his fear of wearing hoodies after the Trayvon Martin shooting.

Trayvon Martin

A 17-year-old Black teenager who was fatally shot by George Zimmerman in 2012 while wearing a hooded sweatshirt, sparking nationwide conversations about racial profiling.

George Zimmerman

The Sanford, Florida resident who fatally shot Trayvon Martin in 2012, claiming self-defense despite Martin only being armed with a bag of Skittles and an Arizona Iced Tea.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I remember when the details [of the Trayvon Martin case] were being revealed, everyone kept bringing up the hoodie. And I thought to myself, if me as a Black man in the world is putting this target on my back where people think I'm a danger, I'm unsafe, so much to the point that they think by me wearing this article of clothing it is the justification of the unaliving of me as a human being, I'm not going to wear one.”

— Justin Frett, Content Creator (TikTok)

“I got to a point where I realized attempting to appease the bigoted delays progress and further harms what I hope to defend — and that is my Blackness, gayness, and people. I have to navigate through the world in authenticity not fear, especially a fear rooted in a hood.”

— Justin Frett, Content Creator (PEOPLE)

What’s next

Frett hopes his story will inspire others to embrace their identity and self-expression without fear, and continue the fight against racial injustice and stereotyping.

The takeaway

Frett's journey shows the lasting psychological impact of high-profile cases of racial violence, but also the power of reclaiming one's identity in the face of oppression. His story underscores the importance of creating a more just and equitable society where all people can feel safe and free to express themselves.