Recognition[edit]
In October 2007, Toms Shoes received the People's Design Award, as determined by an online popularity contest by the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum and has been noted as a successful model of social entrepreneurship.[55][56]
In 2009, Mycoskie was invited to participate at the Opening Plenary of the Second Annual CGI U Meeting.[57]
On March 6, 2009 Mycoskie attended a meeting with President Obama's senior administration along with other business leaders to present solutions and ideas regarding U.S. economic policy.[58]
Mycoskie was featured along with the owner of Frontera Foods, Rick Bayless in a CNBC segment "The Entrepreneurs". that highlighted the innovators' profiles and the stories behind their companies.[59]
In February 2010, FastCompany named Toms #6 on their list of Top Ten Most Innovative Retail Companies.[60]
At the 2011 South by Southwest conference, Blake gave the keynote address.[61]
Focus on the Family[edit]
In July 2011, Toms founder Blake Mycoskie participated in an event sponsored by the group Focus on the Family.[62][63] After being criticized for supporting a socially conservative non-profit, Mycoskie posted an apology on his website stating that he and his handlers had not heard of Focus on the Family before participating in the event and decided it was a mistake. He also stated that he and the company support equal human and civil rights