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Giving Back on Christmas Day 2025 With City Eats , United Tribes of Africa & Flygerian Jeff in Oakland

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 06:21:55 GMT

Today, we got the chance to give back to the community in a way that felt both humbling and hopeful.

City Eats partnered with House of Chicken and Waffles in Oakland to host a Christmas brunch for anyone who needed a hot meal. Throughout the day, we served over 300 meals and handed out toys to families and kids across Oakland—both to guests who came into the restaurant and through deliveries to local shelters. It was a reminder that “community” isn’t just a word; it’s something you build, plate by plate and person by person.

The Reality In Oakland

This kind of work is especially important in a city like Oakland, where housing insecurity and homelessness remain urgent issues. According to Alameda County’s 2024 Point-in-Time Count, an estimated 5,485 people are experiencing homelessness in Oakland alone, making up about 58% of the entire county’s homeless population even though Oakland is only about a quarter of the county’s residents (Alameda County 2024 PIT Oakland Infographic).

House of Chicken and Waffles is more than just a beloved local restaurant—it’s a pillar in the community. Owner Derreck Johnson has been leading a Christmas Day giveback since he opened HOCW over 15 years ago. What started as a simple idea to feed people who might otherwise go without has grown into a yearly tradition that the community can depend on.

Year after year, Derreck has opened his doors on a day when most businesses are closed, turning his restaurant into a hub of warmth, celebration, and generosity. His consistency has helped make this event a fixture in Oakland—something people look forward to and know they can count on.

A 15+ Year Tradition of Giving

City Eats: Service as a Way of Life

For over a decade and a half, Kieem and the City Eats team have been showing up in cities around the country—cooking, serving, and creating safe, welcoming spaces for those who are often overlooked. Their consistency and commitment are what turn one-off events into movement and impact.

This year’s brunch was organized by City Eats, led by CEO and Founder Kieem, who has been doing this kind of work for over 15 years. City Eats is built on a simple belief: everyone deserves access to a meal and to be treated with respect, no matter their circumstances.

As an Oakland native, Flygerian Jeff understands firsthand what this city has been through and what it needs. He and the UTA team showed up in full force, bringing volunteers, energy, and support to help make the day a success.

Jeff’s role went beyond just volunteering—he helped connect the dots between local leaders, organizations, and supporters to ensure that this giveback had real reach and impact. That’s what community leadership looks like: using your platform and relationships to pull people together for a greater good.

Connecting the Dots: Flygerian Jeff & the UTA Team

More Than a Meal

On the surface, today was about food and toys. But if you were in the room—or out on deliveries—you could feel it was about more than that:

It was about parents being able to watch their kids open a present on Christmas.
It was about elders having a place to sit, eat, and feel cared for.
It was about reminding people who are struggling that they’re not forgotten.

In a city where the challenges are real and visible, days like this prove that so is the love.

Moving Forward

The need in Oakland doesn’t end after the holidays. Today was one chapter in a much longer story of service that people like Derreck, Kieem, Flygerian Jeff, and countless volunteers are writing together.

If you’re reading this and wondering how to get involved, know that there’s always room at the table—whether through volunteering, donating, partnering, or simply spreading the word. Change doesn’t come from any one person or organization; it comes from all of us doing our part, consistently, over time.

On this Christmas Day, we were honored to play a small role in something much bigger than ourselves. And we’re just getting started.

Club 520 x Adidas: When a Podcast Earns a Sneaker Deal

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:03:27 GMT

A new‑media case study in real time, where barbershop talk evolves to broadcast networks, niche communities become distribution channels, and a podcast demonstrates that the future of culture is built, not bought.

When Adidas Basketball announced a multi-layered partnership with Club 520—calling it "the first podcast with a sneaker deal"—it was more than just a cool headline.

It was a signal.

In just a couple of years, they’ve gone from a few thousand YouTube subscribers to a community in the hundreds of thousands—in the official press release on their website, Adidas notes:

While we aren't here to analyze 520's KPIs, seeing their growth numbers in such a short amount of time is eye-popping.

"Since joining The Volume in October 2023, Club 520's YouTube channel has gone from 35,000 subscribers to over 760,000. In 2025, Club 520 has driven 200 million YouTube views and 150 million social impressions." -

What Growth From The Ground Up Looks Like

Club 520 Didn’t Just Get a Deal. It Sent a Signal.

This wasn’t an empty sponsorship. It was a signal that should help the entire D2C landscape understand that

New media is now a core part of the D2C pipeline for global brands.
Influencer marketing isn’t dead—it’s evolving.
Hyper‑local, niche platforms with real community equity can move culture and product in ways traditional media used to.

Once you understand what Club 520 is—and where it came from—the deal feels less like a surprise and more like an inevitability.

It also shines a light on where the opportunity really is for the rest of us quietly building shows, newsletters, and media platforms from the ground up.

In the old world, media was something you bought.
In the new world, media is something you build.

" Club 520 has become one of the most authentic and influential voices in basketball culture . " - Max Staiger, Global General Manager of Adidas Basketball.

That’s not a “show” anymore—that’s a distribution engine. And brands are starting to treat it that way.

When Adidas Basketball announced a multi-layered partnership with Club 520—what Sports Illustrated framed as “the first podcast with a sneaker deal”—they weren’t just doing something cute.

They were acknowledging that this podcast sits where basketball, culture, and commerce now intersect.

Club 520 and the New Media Growth Playbook

A New Era For Creators

Podcast sponsorships are delivering close to 5x ROI on average, according to campaign analyses from dedicated podcast sponsorship shops. ( Riverside )

Industry CPMs for audio still sit in the $18–$25 range for many shows, but the real leverage is behavioral: more than 80% of listeners say they take action after hearing a host-read ad. ( Pod Partnerships )

The Numbers Behind The Shift

Zoom out further and the macro picture snaps into place. The creator economy is now estimated at $250B+ globally , with nearly half of Gen Z and Millennials saying they trust influencer and creator recommendations more than traditional ads.

Smaller, niche creators in the 10K–100K follower range are quietly driving 3–10x higher engagement than mega-influencers, because their relationship with the audience is tighter and more specific.

A Snapshot of The Podcast Landscape

Sports podcasts have grown more than 25% year over year in listenership, and basketball dominates sports audio and video consumption among the 18–34 demo across platforms like YouTube and Spotify.A show like Club 520 doesn’t just live in that lane—it defines it: hoop storytelling, internet culture, and Black voice at scale.

On the brand side, Adidas has been explicit about where it’s going. In a Marketing Week conversation, Roy Gardner , VP of Brand Activation, laid out how Adidas is rebuilding “brand heat” by increasing brand marketing investment, sharpening brand identity, and leaning into smarter partnerships with athletes and creators rather than just media buys.

Put all of this together, and the pattern is clear:

Brands don’t just rent attention from legacy networks anymore.
They partner with the people and platforms that hold attention inside specific cultures .

Club 520 is proof of concept. It shows what happens when local credibility, consistent content, and a real community collide with a global brand that finally understands where the energy actually lives.

Steady Growth In Listenership Across The Industry

On the surface, it sounds wild: a podcast with its own sneaker deal.

But if you zoom out and look at how media and commerce work in 2025, it's actually logical.

Podcasts with strong YouTube numbers are not just "audio shows" anymore. They're full-blown content ecosystems:

long-form episodes
shorts and clips
live shows and touring
merch, meetups, and events
community hubs that live across IG, TikTok, X, and in real life

Why a Podcast Getting a Sneaker Deal Matters

A show like Club 520 sits right at the intersection of

hoops culture
internet culture
Black storytelling
local legends turned global voices

They're in the community. They're on the road. They're engaging with callers, fans, and comments. They're collaborating with Indianapolis-based creators like Mike G., GP, and the WDRFA brand to build an archive of quality pieces for fans, which is something that Adidas had to take notice of while evaluating the brand. On the show, the team is using every opportunity to promote fan merch and more often than not, whatever they're wearing is typically a creator-led brand.

That type of platform is designed for high engagement by design . This isn't just reach—it's relationship. It's not just impressions—it's trust.

When you're Adidas, trying to talk directly to hoopers and people who live basketball every day, that trust is the whole game.

"Their storytelling, humor, and connection to the community embody everything we strive for at adidas Basketball. Teaming up with them, especially as we celebrate the launch of Harden Vol 10, allows us to communicate directly with our fans in a whole new way." - Max Staiger, Global General Manager of Adidas Basketball.

So a sneaker deal with a podcast isn't random or experimental; it's a logical extension of D2C :

The audience already lives on YouTube and social media.
The talent already wears and talks about the product authentically.
The brand plugs into a community that already exists, instead of trying to manufacture one from scratch.

For podcasters and content creators, that's the unlock:

If your platform is a real community, not just a content feed, you're not "small media"—you're a distribution channel brands can't buy anywhere else.

What's dead is lazy influencer marketing :

Spray-and-pray seeding.
Random one-off posts with no story.
"Here's a code, swipe up" with no relationship.

What's very much alive is this:

Niche brands and platforms that speak to, nurture, and galvanize a core demographic.
Creators who don't just "have follower" but have relationships and receipts in their communities.
Storytelling that connects offline credibility (hoops, food, events, photography, local work) with online distribution .

Influencer Marketing Isn't Dead—It Just Got More Specific

Club 520 is exactly that.

These are not random guys who got mics. These are people who were already stamped in their city, separately, before there was ever a logo, a set, or a YouTube channel.

The podcast didn't invent their influence. It organized it . It made the social capital visible at scale.

And that's where the real opportunity is for creators:

You don't have to be "internet famous" in the traditional sense. You can be the person who:

runs the runs
throws the best events
feeds the city
documents the culture

…and then builds a show that captures what you were already doing in real life.

Brands are getting smarter. They're not just asking, "Who has followers?" They're asking:

"Who does this community already listen to and trust?"

The Origin Story: How 520 Became a Freight Train

The journey begins with DJ Wells , an Indianapolis native and the host of the Club 520 podcast. He came up with the concept and pitched it to childhood friends Jeff Teague and B-Hen in 2023. That moment set the wheels in motion for the freight train of a brand you see today.

It wasn't just a content idea. It was a bet on:

The stories that were already being told in barbershops, gyms, and group chats.
The chemistry and history between three people who actually know and respect each other.
A city that has always been a basketball town but didn't always have a platform built by and for its own.

That's another lesson for creators:

Most "good ideas" for shows are just existing conversations that haven't been recorded yet.

You can't talk about Club 520 without starting with DJ Wells .

Jeff Teague retired from the league in 2021 and stepped into that space every pro athlete eventually faces:

figuring out life off the court .

Living in Indianapolis in 2018, I had the chance to watch the Teague family operate Factory D1 and give back to the community in a major way. It wasn't just about training; it was about access, presence, and visibility. Jeff was still that guy in Indy—just in a different role.

Fast-forward to post-Covid, when he launched the podcast. I knew immediately it was the type of content the ecosystem in Indianapolis was waiting for:

Indianapolis is a basketball city.
Its biggest stars will always be the ones who went to war on the hardwood.
Giving those legends a long-form, unfiltered platform to talk their talk was inevitable; it was just a matter of who would do it right.

Jeff Teague: From the League to the Voice Of The City

I'd always heard of Bishop Hendricks and the infamous Hendricks Catering in Indianapolis back in 2019, but I never put a name to the face.

By the time I made it back to Indy in 2021, he was a household name—not because of the podcast, but because of his food and events . He'd taken @cateredbyhendricks and turned it into a brand that people in the city trusted for experiences, not just plates.

B-Hen: From Hendricks Catering to Household Name

That's important.

B-Hen came into 520 already operating as:

a local entrepreneur
a culture connector
someone who knew how to turn offline energy —food, events, gatherings—into brand equity

The 520 podcast didn't create his personal brand. It scaled it . It took what he'd already proven in real life and put it in a format that could travel farther and faster.

For creators, that's a reminder:

Your "content strategy" might just be finding a way to document the thing you already do better than most people.

Then there's Mike Harris , the manager.

Mike is someone I respected and watched closely for years as a photographer. In my honest opinion, if you were my age and in Indianapolis in 2019, there were three male photographers if you needed professional work:

Jay Goldz
Isaac
Mike Harris

All had different styles—but with any of them, you were guaranteed magic .

We connected a few times over media, sneakers, and general business. Even back then, his eye for visuals, his editing chops, and his overall sense of brand-building through imagery stood out.

Mike Harris: Watchful Eye Behind the Lens

Given his media background and post-editing skills, I knew he'd flourish when he shifted more into content creation. He did some incredible work with Indianapolis entrepreneurs like Erick Armstrong , and I remember thinking, " Yeah, they're definiitely about to take off. "

So when he came on board as manager for the 520 podcast, it was clear: they were onto something serious.

And this is another quiet lesson for the creator world:

Great content isn't just about who's on the mic.

It's about who's behind the lens, who's cutting the clips, and who's thinking about the brand like an ecosystem, not just an episode.

If you're a podcaster, your "Mike Harris" might be the missing piece.

The Formula: Why This Works

What Creators Can Learn

Let's step back and look at the pieces 520 has amassed.

Jeff Teague – stamped in the city, NBA résumé, real hoop stories, family roots in community work.
B-Hen – culinary and event powerhouse, trusted by the city for experiences and vibes.
DJ Wells – media brain, authentic voice that actually covered the Pacers and paid dues in the journalism game.
Mike Harris – visual architect, a storyteller with a camera, and a manager who understands both culture and execution.

Put all of that together and what do you get?

A recipe for success that anyone in the city could've written down on paper—but only a special group could actually pull off.

Start with real-world equity. Be someone your community would listen to even if you never hit "record."
Build with people who are already great at what they do. The podcast should be a multiplier, not a life raft.
Treat your show like a world, not a feed. Episodes, clips, events, sneakers, live shows—that's all one universe.
Let brands step into that world. Don't let them define it.

For podcasters and content creators, here's the real formula buried inside their story:

That's why the Adidas deal isn't just about a sneaker. It's:

A recognition of the work they put in separately and together.
A case study in how local credibility + consistent content + real chemistry can lead to global opportunities.
Proof that when you build something authentically from your community outward, the right brands eventually have no choice but to tap in.

What it means for the landscape

This is a move that changes the possibilities not only for sports podcasters but also opens possibilities for podcasters across the board with the entire D2C landscape. Think about who the next 520 will be for Heinz or who the next Jack Daniel's could position for a collaboration.

Influencer marketing isn't dead; it's in its next chapter. Deals like these are the first step in opening a viable new distribution channel for brands and a revenue stream for the best publishers.

The 520 universe is starting to look less like “just a show” and more like its own little media league.

Adding the 520 ecosystem

He’s also running his show, Backcourt Connection , with Kentucky legend, backcourt teammate, and New York’s own Doron Lamb. The two have an effortless, built-in chemistry and are already showing real momentum, with 6k+ followers on Instagram and YouTube closing in on the 10k mark—helped by a steady run of viral clips, hilarious stories, strong hoops takes, and high-caliber guests.

Hoops junkies everywhere are tapping in to hear what these two former prep-to-pro guards have to say about life in professional basketball on and off the court. With a deep well of “from-the-trenches” stories and sharp basketball insight, they’re quietly stacking one of the more promising platforms in the sports podcast ecosystem and showing signs of another potentially promising path.

What makes Club 520 hit is that it’s not a one-off lightning strike; it’s an ecosystem built on years of hoop culture, relationships, and reps that didn’t happen on camera.

Jeff’s brother Marquis (“Mook”) isn’t just a guest; he’s part of that 520 fabric, pulling up on episodes, doing debates, and growing his own on-mic presence as a hoop storyteller in his own right.

The fact that Marquis now runs a podcast as well turns “family business” into media strategy—multiple feeds, overlapping audiences, and a shared language rooted in the same zip codes and locker rooms.

Your "unfair advantage" might be your off-platform résumé—the years you spent hooping, coaching, serving, organizing, or building in spaces the algorithm doesn't track.

For podcasters building platforms of your own, there's a takeaway here too:

What This Means Going Forward (for 520—and for You)

The Club 520 x adidas collaboration is a milestone, but it shouldn't be seen as an anomaly. It's a preview .

Expect more:

Sneaker deals with podcasters and creators who actually move culture.
D2C strategies built squarely on new media distribution instead of traditional ads.
Brands recognizing that community-first platforms —especially in so-called "secondary markets" like Indianapolis—are where the real energy lives.

Wrapping it up

For creators, the opportunity is pretty clear:

You don't need to chase every trend. You need to own a lane .
You don't need a million followers. You need a real community that cares when you speak.
You don't have to wait on a network to bless you. You can build your own "club" and invite the world in.

If you can do that consistently, then Club 520 isn't just an inspiring story—it's a preview of what's possible.

For now, though, it's only right to give them their flowers.

Shoutout to the 520 podcast for the amazing run.

It's only just begun.

Joyce Gordon Foundation Gala: A Powerful Evening for the Oakland Arts Community

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 00:06:00 GMT

By BJ Teriba, Editor in Chief of PREP Culture

For those with limited time, here's a TLDR:

What happened:

The Joyce Gordon Community Arts Gala transformed Town Fare @ OMCA into a blooming garden—a powerful celebration of Ms. Joyce Gordon's extraordinary impact on Oakland's Black arts community and the visionary artists she has mentored and championed over decades.

The vibe:

Black elegance, jazz-inflected energy, and a room that felt like a living love letter to Oakland's creative soul. The dress code was black tie, featuring colors of nude, gold, and white. Flowers everywhere—literal and metaphorical—honoring both beauty and resilience.

Standouts:

Tolani Verissimo kept the room inspired and on-mission as host, weaving together stories of artistic triumph with grace.
The night's Fund-A-Need moment and silent/live auctions raised critical support for youth scholarships and creative programming—ensuring the next generation of artists have pathways Joyce pioneered.
Vision unveiled: The New Joyce Gordon Arts Hub , with 25% of future exhibits dedicated to under-25 artists and a comprehensive 5-year plan for expanded creative spaces and digital access—a living monument to Joyce's commitment to emerging voices.

�� Watch the recap here : Joyce Gordon Foundation Gala - Recap

Why it mattered:

This wasn't just fundraising. It was a coronation of legacy. The room honored elders and trailblazers who carved the foundation for Black arts in Oakland—artists and cultural stewards like Joyce, whose mentorship, vision, and unwavering belief in community have shaped generations. The honorees weren't just recipients of accolades; they were celebrated as the architects of Oakland's cultural renaissance. Art was both a centerpiece and a call to action.

The legacy:

Joyce Gordon's impact ripples through every corner of Oakland's creative landscape. Her mentorship has nurtured countless artists; her vision created safe spaces for Black creative expression; her activism reminded us that art is always political. The evening wasn't just about honoring what she's done—it was about mobilizing energy around what comes next. The seeds planted that night—through donations, storytelling, and renewed commitment—will keep Oakland's creative garden blooming.

Want to help?

Support youth arts and the new arts hub: givebutter.com/communityartsgala
Follow the journey: Instagram @joycegordonfoundation

And now for the main entree...

2025 is the year of celebrating our contemporaries—of giving people their flowers while they're still in bloom. This sentiment has become a necessary rallying cry across Black culture, a pushback against the erasure and devaluation that too often defines our narratives. This work is urgent in Oakland, where the media systematically demonizes Black voices. It is essential to elevate and highlight the artists, visionaries, and cultural architects who have emerged from The Town's concrete, as they refuse to be marginalized. This work is critical to developing a more favorable image of the city and ensuring that future voices can be acknowledged and appreciated.

On Sunday evening, the Joyce Gordon Community Arts Gala & Fundraiser at Town Fare @ OMCA accomplished precisely that. Ms. Joyce Gordon is a towering figure whose mentoring, vision, and decades of artistic activism have molded Oakland's cultural soul. The event turned the city into a flower garden, bringing together people from generations and continents to honor her and the pioneers she has supported.

As a Nigerian American, a member of the Diaspora, and a creator still carving out my place in the canon of African Diaspora arts, serving as media director for this event wasn’t just work—it was a homecoming. Experiencing Mama Joyce’s impact firsthand—as her stories, mentorship, programs, and the artists she’s uplifted came to life on stage—felt like stepping into a living archive of Black art in Oakland.

Stepping Into the Vision

The evening began long before the first guest arrived for the JGF team. By 3:30 PM, vendors and volunteers were already loading in rentals, AV, and catering. By 4:30, the Joyce Gordon Foundation team gathered for a mandatory briefing—one last collective deep breath before opening the doors.

At 5:30 PM, VIP guests arrived for a reception underscored by the ethereal sounds of Interstellar Soundscapes. The silent auction opened quietly but purposefully, each lot—paintings, sculptures, mixed media—acting as both artwork and artifact of a thriving local scene.

At 6:30 PM, general admission doors opened. By 7:00 PM, salads were on tables, guests were seated, and the energy had shifted from anticipation to ceremony.

A Room That Looked Like a Love Letter

The gala setup itself was an experience.

The Joyce Gordon team skillfully created an environment that embodied the essence of Black elegance and artistic expression. Nude-toned décor and table settings glowed under soft light, accented with thoughtful florals that echoed the “giving people their flowers” theme in real time. A live band underscored conversations, adding a warm, jazz-inflected heartbeat to the room.

The chosen black tie style in nude, gold, and white did more than guarantee stunning photos—it turned elders, artists, and community leaders into a live portrait of Oakland’s creative spirit. That night, everyone showed up ready for their close-up.

Hors d'oeuvres from Chef Nelson and the crew at A’la Mar set the night off right. Then Chef Michelle and the Town Fare team served up a dinner that matched the vibe—elevated, soulful, and rooted in Oakland. It felt less like a fundraiser and more like a family reunion around the table.

The Host Who Carried the Room

Every strong program needs a center of gravity, and our host and Executive Director, Tolani Verissimo , was exactly that.

Tolani didn’t just emcee; he guided the room—connecting with elders and youth, donors and artists, first-timers and long-time supporters. He articulated the vision of the Joyce Gordon Foundation with clarity and heart: securing a permanent creative home in Oakland, spotlighting youth, and expanding beyond visual art into music, ceramics, and digital media.

His words made it clear that this gala was not just about one night’s fundraising but about building sustainable infrastructure for the future of Oakland’s arts.

Building the New Joyce Gordon Arts Hub

A major throughline of the evening was the unveiling of the Foundation’s next chapter: The New Joyce Gordon Arts Hub .

The vision is expansive:

Securing a Home
A permanent physical space that offers stability for artists and the community—an anchor in a rapidly changing city.
Spotlight on Youth
JGF dedicates at least 25% of exhibits to emerging artists under 25, ensuring that young creatives take the lead in their participation.
Expanding Horizons
Going beyond galleries to include music, ceramics, digital arts, and more—reflecting the full spectrum of how art lives and breathes in Oakland.
Pathways to Creativity
A 2-year goal to participate in exhibits and fundraising and a 5-year plan that includes:
- A Creative Hub and “Art &___” event series
- A Creative Career Lab for youth
- Digital arts access —tools, training, and technology for the next generation

All of this was framed not as aspiration, but as an active, unfolding commitment—with the community in the room invited to help shape it.

Investing in the Next Generation: The Scholarship Fund & Fund-A-Need

The evening’s Fund-A-Need moment was one of the most powerful segments of the night. As the night’s auctioneer Chad Carvey put it, guests weren’t just bidding on items; they were underwriting the future of Oakland art, backing initiatives designed to nurture young talent and energize The Town’s creative community.

Key projects included the Joyce Gordon Art Scholarship Fund, which awards at least $1,000 annually to five outstanding high school seniors in the visual, performing, writing, or digital arts. This year, recipients Derick Davies (CCA) and Zara Hana-Karbo (UCLA) shared how Miss Joyce and the foundation have been pivotal in shaping their artistic journeys. Additional initiatives include the Creative Hub and Career Lab , which offers workshops, mentorship, and pathways into creative industries; Cultural Horizons , providing field trips that expand young people’s imaginations; community engagement through the “Art &___” series supporting youth-led public art; and Digital Arts Innovation & Youth Exhibitions , making sure Oakland’s young artists have the tools, training, and platforms they need to shine.

The programming the JGF team shared made it clear this night wasn’t about abstract philanthropy. Guests saw real faces and heard real voices—stories from those already changed by the foundation's work and glimpses of those who stand to benefit in the future.

The Art of Giving: Auction, Games & The Last Art Hero

The live auction turned the room into a theater of generosity. Thirteen lots—including works by Fortune Sitole, Oso Ranna, Agbee, Calime, D-Tai, Barnes, Allen , and others—became portals into Oakland’s artistic soul.

Pieces like Sitole’s “After Work” captured that familiar post-shift exhale in a city that never stops moving. Each artist represented a unique aspect of Oakland's cultural fabric, and the bidding reflected not only an appreciation for aesthetics but also an awareness of legacy.

Giving wrapped up with the “Last Art Hero” challenge, where the prize went not to the highest bidder but to the night’s final donor. Chad was a great sport throughout, keeping spirits high and ending the evening with the whole room laughing together.

Later in the evening, guests also participated in Heads or Tails , another playful way to give while staying engaged. In both cases, joy and fundraising moved in sync.

Honoring the Visionaries: 2025 Community Art Awards

One of the emotional peaks of the night came with the 2025 Community Art Awards, recognizing trailblazers who have laid the foundation for Oakland’s vibrant arts scene. Dr. Angela Wellman captivated the audience with stories of her work alongside Miss Joyce and Ms. Harris, reflecting on the challenges and injustices all three faced as visionary Black “artrepreneurs.” Wellman’s impact as founder and CEO of the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music has brought culturally grounded, community-based music education to Oakland, empowering generations of youth, especially among the African diaspora. Her decades-long commitment to the city, her scholarship, and her leadership in music and African diasporic studies stand as a testament to the power of art as liberation and healing.

Ms. Thelma Harris added historic depth to the occasion. A passionate educator at heart and founder of Oakland’s Thelma Harris Art Gallery, she is renowned for championing African American artists and giving them a vital platform since opening her gallery in 1987. Harris has helped guide generations of artists—some of whom have gone on to national acclaim—and educated collectors and local youth about the richness of Black art. Her gallery’s commitment to museum-quality exhibitions and personal connection has made it a cultural beacon in Oakland, and her speech spotlighted her long, collaborative history with Miss Joyce, as well as the barriers and discrimination she, Dr. Wellman, and Joyce faced throughout their artistic journeys.

Elena Serrano and Susanne Takehara brought the focus to activism and creative collaboration, promising ongoing partnership with the Joyce Gordon Foundation’s new chapter and honoring their late co-founder Greg Morozumi , who passed in June 2025. Their testimony—celebrating community, creative resistance, and the legacy of those lost—underscored how Oakland’s thriving arts movement is the product of generations of dedication, vision, and often under-recognized work. Watching these leaders receive their flowers alongside Mama Joyce was a powerful, full-circle moment for everyone in the room.

Stories, Sound, and Spirit

The program blended movement, personal stories, and live performance, staying true to Black creative tradition. Impact stories from community members like Zara and Derick highlighted how art transformed their lives, bringing heart and meaning to every dollar raised. Oakland’s own Kev Choice opened with a heartfelt tribute to the late John Beam and then set the vibe with a jazz solo—a soundtrack to the city's resilience, perfectly echoing the powerful words he shared before taking the stage.

By the time the formal program closed around 9:15 PM, the room felt less like a fundraiser and more like a family reunion of people who may not all know each other personally but recognize themselves in one another’s stories.

Why This Night Mattered

From my vantage point—as media director of the event, editor-in-chief of PREP Culture, and a Nigerian American reconnecting with the Diaspora—the Joyce Gordon Community Arts Gala was so much more than just an event. It proved that Black arts institutions in Oakland aren’t relics stuck in the past; they’re living, evolving hubs of innovation. Youth arts aren’t an afterthought—they’re at the heart of the Foundation’s vision. And honoring our elders and trailblazers isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a conscious means for building continuity in a world that’s continually attempting to erase or fragment our stories.

Mama Joyce’s presence was woven into every moment—from the artists performing on stage to the programs she helped fund, and especially in the guests who credited her space with giving them their first real shot. Seeing her, surrounded by family, peers, and those she’s mentored, all receiving their flowers together, truly felt like a full-circle moment.

How to Support

If you weren't in the room, you could still be part of this story and the JGF journey!

Donate to the Joyce Gordon Foundation

Support their work in youth arts, scholarships, and the new arts hub by giving at givebutter.com/communityartsgala

Stay Connected & Follow Their Journey

JGF will share programming for 2026 and beyond on social media. Follow them on Instagram @joycegordonfoundation

The night officially ended at 10:00 PM, but as vendors broke down and the last guests filtered out, it was clear that something much bigger was just beginning. The seeds planted in that room—through donations, recognition, storytelling, and vision—will continue to bloom in Oakland for years to come.

And I’m grateful I got to be there, camera in hand, pen (well, phone) in pocket, watching a community give its artists & mothers their flowers while they’re still in full, radiant bloom.

Oakland’s Voice, Live: The Story Behind Paidro Classic’s Jack Daniel’s Freestyle

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 04:04:00 GMT

Oakland doesn’t just raise artists — it forges them. The city’s pressure, rhythm, and contradictions have a way of sharpening voices, and East Oakland’s Paidro Classic is one of those names that’s been building in plain sight for a minute. Part rapper, part walking style reference, part moving brand, he’s the kind of figure you notice twice: once for the fit, then for the force behind it.

Lately, Paidro’s been in motion on multiple fronts. Alongside a new partnership with Jack Daniel’s, he recently re-released his visual for “Drip Check” — a record that first dropped in 2021 and quickly became a local anthem. The updated video, highlighted by Artist Connect , revisits the moments that helped spark his movement while adding behind-the-scenes footage, fashion highlights, and new pieces of his story. It feels less like a throwback and more like a victory lap for an artist who’s continued to evolve without losing his footing in East Oakland.

His latest move — a live freestyle in partnership with Jack Daniel’s — lands in that same spirit. It's less corporate play and more coded message + glorious anthem for the town. No big stage, no over-produced spectacle. Just a mic, a bottle, a fit, and an artist with something real to get off his chest. This isn’t a glossy “brand moment.” It’s Oakland talking to itself, with the world listening in.

From East Oakland to Center Frame

If you’ve been anywhere outside in the Bay, there’s a good chance you saw Paidro before you ever pressed play on his music. Raised in East Oakland, he carries himself like someone who understands that presence is language. The way he walks into a room, the way he layers a fit, the way he carries his brand — all of it speaks before he does.

At the heart of that image is Isolated Threads, his own clothing line, built around stand-out silhouettes and intentional details. The clothes mirror his ethos: quiet confidence, nothing extra, nothing chasing validation. You don’t see a logo and think “trend.” You see a uniform for people who are used to standing on their own.

But Paidro is more than clean visuals and curated aesthetics. Beneath the fabric is a leader, a strategist, someone who’s clearly thought about what it means to represent a place like East Oakland on and off camera. He’s not just after virality for its own sake. His work lives at the intersection of street reality and future vision — rooted in the soil of his city, but speaking to anybody who’s ever had to earn everything they have.

The re-release of “Drip Check” underscores that. Originally shot with cinematic visuals by AdamKG and powered by production from Barkten, the song and video helped define Paidro’s lane — where raw street energy sits comfortably next to high-end fashion flair. The new version folds in exclusive behind-the-scenes clips, fashion moments, and narrative touches that make clear he’s been building this world brick by brick, not overnight.

A Live Mic Drop with Jack Daniel’s

The Jack Daniel’s freestyle arrives like a live mic drop — a stripped-down collaboration that doubles as a preview of Paidro’s upcoming album, Why They Bother Me 2 . There’s a one-take intensity to it, the kind that doesn’t leave room for acting. The beat hits, the camera lingers, and there are no edits to hide behind. What you’re seeing is exactly what it is.

The partnership itself feels intentional. Paidro isn’t swallowed up by the brand; the brand steps into his world. The bottle sits in the frame like another piece of set dressing — part of the environment, not the main event. The performance becomes equal parts promo and proclamation: yes, it’s a rollout moment, but it’s also a broadcast to and for the town.

Everything about the setup is simple on purpose. No smoke machines, no theatrics. Just Paidro, his words, and the weight they carry.

Hustle, Trauma, and the Cost of Survival

Lyrically, the freestyle lives in that tense, narrow zone between survival and aspiration — the place where people dream big but still have to make rent, protect family, and navigate systems built against them. Paidro doesn’t romanticize the grind; he dissects it.

He talks about working to make life better in a world where opportunity doesn’t fall in your lap. The hustle isn’t framed as a cute slogan or a motivational hashtag. It’s presented as a daily negotiation with risk, pressure, and limited options. Every move has stakes: bills, family, legacy, and the constant need to stay ten steps ahead of whatever is coming.

There’s a psychological weight running through the performance — the stress, the trauma, the mental gymnastics of trying to keep faith when everything around you suggests otherwise. He gestures toward the realities of living in America’s margins, where police, politics, and poverty all collide in the same neighborhoods, and where survival often means carrying stories you never asked for.

And then there’s that line that cuts through the noise: “If you ain't been through it, then you can't relate.” It’s more than a bar; it’s a boundary. A reminder that for some folks, these scenes are just “content.” For others, they’re documentation. Paidro draws a clear line between the spectators and the people who actually know what it feels like to live inside the stories he’s telling.

Underneath it all, the thesis is simple: respect doesn’t fall from the sky. In his world, it’s something you take, earn, and defend.

Respect as a Code, Not a Hook

From the moment the freestyle starts, the tone is non-negotiable. This isn’t a feel-good anthem. We ain't playin' dress up. This is a statement of intent.

The energy is high and urgent, like someone rapping with the clock ticking behind them — not because of studio time, but because of life. The imagery is gritty, built from real blocks and real experiences, not borrowed aesthetics. There’s no attempt to soften the edges or sand down the truth to make it more palatable.

Respect, in this context, isn’t framed as a reward that might eventually show up if you play the game right. It’s a posture. A way of moving through a world that doesn’t naturally value you, your city, or your story. The performance makes it clear: nobody is waiting on validation here. Respect is taken, not given — one bar at a time.

The Look: Isolated Threads and the “Drip Check” Legacy

Even if you muted the freestyle, the visuals would still tell you a story. Paidro’s fit operates as another verse in the performance.

Pieces from Isolated Threads sit somewhere between streetwear and uniform. They look like clothes you could post up in all day on the block, but also step in front of a camera with zero adjustments. The lines are clean, the palette intentional, and the details are there for the people who pay attention — the ones who know how much thought goes into looking effortless.

That visual discipline links directly back to “Drip Check.” The record and its new visual, as Artist Connect points out, showcase how Paidro fuses hustle with high-end fashion language. His events like the city-renowned Drip Off, his journey from Pure to Isolated Threads, and the updated “Drip Check” video all feed into the same ecosystem: a world where style isn’t just flex, it’s narrative. The Jack Daniel’s freestyle becomes another chapter in that same story — fewer edits, more honesty, but the same eye for detail.

What makes these brand and media moments land is that Paidro already moves like a brand before any logos or write-ups show up. Jack Daniel’s isn’t putting a script in his hands; Artist Connect isn’t inventing a storyline. They’re both amplifying a voice and vision that were already fully formed.

A Moment That’s Bigger Than a Freestyle

On paper, this is just another freestyle. In practice, it’s a timestamp.

For Oakland, it’s a reminder that the town doesn’t just export talent — it exports storytellers. Artists who can take local reality and project it outward without diluting it for mass consumption. You can feel the city’s fingerprints on the cadence, the perspective, the way he talks about respect and survival.

For independent artists, the moment reads like a case study in how to move with brands and media without losing yourself. Between the Jack Daniel’s collab and coverage from platforms like Artist Connect , Paidro doesn’t bend his voice toward the opportunity; the opportunity bends toward him. The alignment feels authentic because he refuses to trade substance for reach.

And for the cultural archive, these performances and visuals become small but significant artifacts. Years from now, moments like the “Drip Check” re-release and this freestyle will read like primary sources: this is how it looked, sounded, and felt to come up as an East Oakland artist in this era — navigating capitalism, community, trauma, and possibility in real time.

The Storm on the Way: Why They Bother Me 2

The freestyle doesn’t just live on its own; it points forward. It feels like a thesis statement for Why They Bother Me 2 , a glimpse into the world the album is about to open up.

You get the sense that the project will function as part diary, part documentary — deeply personal, but inseparable from the place that shaped it. The sound hints at something heavy and layered, built for both trunk-rattling replay and quiet reflection. This isn’t just a collection of bangers thrown at the wall; it feels like a continued chapter in an ongoing story.

And when you set it next to the renewed momentum around “Drip Check,” you see the bigger picture: Paidro isn’t trying to reinvent himself every rollout. He’s tightening the frame, sharpening the focus, and letting each new piece — album, video, freestyle, collab — clarify who he’s always been.

How to Really Tap In

To catch everything this moment is doing, you can’t treat the freestyle like background noise. It deserves full attention.

Watch it all the way through, no skipping, no multitasking. Let the performance breathe. Pay attention to the small things — the fit, the posture between bars, the way certain lines land harder than others. Then, on the second run, pull the camera back in your mind and think about the systems and streets he’s referencing. Don’t just listen for punchlines; listen for context.

Then go back and watch the new “Drip Check” visual. Clock how consistent the world-building is — from the clothes to the confidence to the community around him. Together, they paint a fuller picture of an artist who’s been carefully scripting his own narrative in real time.

An Archive in Motion

In the end, Paidro Classic’s Jack Daniel’s freestyle is more than a co-branded moment on your feed, just like “Drip Check” is more than a stylish video. Together, they function as a live document of a city, an era, and an artist who understands the weight of what he’s carrying.

He’s not asking for respect. He’s taking it — one verse, one fit, one performance at a time.

An archive in motion. Oakland’s voice, live.

@ArtByBlack Taps Into Deep Introspection and Late-Night Intimacy on “Private Hours”

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 03:31:00 GMT

Bay Area artist and Zambian native @ArtByBlack just dropped an introspective, alternative rap visual for his track “Private Hours.”

The video opens on a cryptic phone call: a woman’s whisper slowly sharpens into a question —

“So take me to the beginning. What type of love did you receive as a child?”

From there, the record turns into a two part confessional with a biscuit. “Private Hours” plays like a late-night monologue aimed at both his younger self and the woman on the line, portrayed by the stunning Jazzi Anderson (@jazzianderson) in the visual. The performance is vulnerable without being performative — the kind of honesty you usually only stumble into after midnight.

This one is for the introverts, deep reflectors, and hopeless romantics who replay old conversations in their head.

We pulled up to the listening party for Black’s upcoming album and walked out genuinely impressed. If the crowd’s reactions are any indication, “Private Hours” is just the opening chapter of a rollout you’re going to want to sit with, not scroll past.

�� Watch the “Private Hours” visual here:

Attn: The Bay Area Cultural Renaissance Is Here

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 02:26:00 GMT

The pieces are moving.

For those who know, you know. You've heard it. And you're seeing it. When you're out with friends. On the interwebs. The quiet whispers in Oakland's underground. The late-night conversations in San Francisco's creative circles. The energy shifting across the Bay.

We're all watching it unfold in real time.

Not everyone gets to witness what happens when a cultural moment is being architected in real time. When the right people find each other in the right room at the right time. When intention meets infrastructure meets capital meets art.

Some of you have been part of this. Some of you are about to be.

The Bay Area Cultural Renaissance isn't coming. It's already here.

We're just here to document it.

Stay tuned.

Written by BJ Teriba

From PREP.BOY$ to PREP Culture — A Note From The Editor

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 02:10:00 GMT

My name is BJ Teriba . I’m the CEO of PREP Studios and its subsidiary, PREP Culture . This is personal for me.

PREP.BOY$ started in 2016, right after I graduated from DePauw.

What began as a culture blog with a deep focus on music became a crash course in digital marketing, event management, and entrepreneurship. I immediately enlisted the help of my friend & business partner, Mike Onuroah , trying things in public and learning in real time.

Between 2016 and 2019, that experiment turned into a beautifully twisted journey through nightlife, concerts, and the grassroots music industry in Indianapolis and across the Midwest .

At the time, I wasn’t trying to “build a media company.” I was trying to figure out how the media in the digital age actually worked — how marketing, events, and business really move when you’re not just reading case studies, but living them. PREP.BOY$ was my lab. Music became our playground.

We did a lot. We saw a lot. Here’s a glimpse:

We produced media, concerts and parties with the likes of Gunna, YFN Lucci, Moneybagg Yo, Rick Ross, Lil Baby, Victor Oladipo , and a host of others.
We shot for people and orgs like The Steward Speakers, Al Sharpton, Angela Rye, Gary Brackett, the Indianapolis Colts, Mike G, DJ Strick, Wudi , and other major players in the city at the time.
We managed artists like Paris LaDame, FreshDuzIt, and Norrie G. , and we toured around the Midwest with them.
We published over 200 blogs and an endless stream of social content — recaps, interviews, think pieces, and all the little posts in between that kept our corner of the internet alive.
We produced media for fashion shows and shot fashion films , playing with the intersection of style, sound, and story.

We were everywhere: backstage, side-stage, front row, green rooms, 3 a.m. debriefs, last-minute venue changes, delayed wires, surprise wins. We watched artists break, fizzle, & pivot. We watched the stars of local & global talents rise and fade. We analyzed the market and played an active part in its development. We watched ourselves grow up in real time.

And even after everything we did, I knew there was more.

Not just “more” in the sense of bigger events or bigger names — more understanding. More intention. A clearer sense of what we were actually building and why.

So we took a step back.

Personally, I wanted to understand how this all fits together:

How businesses actually see ROI from content & advertising and what they need from publications and platforms — not just for vibes, but for value.
What creators are really looking for when they collaborate — not just exposure, but partnership and respect.
What subscribers and audiences want from their platform of choice — not just content, but context, trust, and consistency.

So we studied. We unlearned. We redefined.

I spent time – at agencies, in full time work, and in my spare time – looking at how campaigns are built from the inside, how publishing works beyond the blog era, how brands think about storytelling, and how culture is documented — not just amplified and forgotten.

That’s where PREP Culture comes in.

PREP Culture is the result of that first chapter and the reflection that followed. It’s the archive born out of the chaos: all the shows, shoots, tours, late nights, early flights, blog posts, strategy decks, and quiet realizations that came after.

This time around, we’re not just here to make noise. We’re here to document how it moved and why it mattered — with a new understanding and a redefined purpose.

If you were there with us in Indianapolis, you’re part of this story.
If you’re just finding us now, you’re right on time.

An archive in motion. PREP Culture is now officially live from the Bay Area.

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves.

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 22:40:00 GMT

Welcome to PREP CULTURE — a new destination from PREP CULTURE that’s just getting started. We’ll be up and running soon, but you can subscribe now to stay in the loop and get emails as soon as new content drops.

How To Walk On Clouds: A Dream State Experience

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 01:24:00 GMT

How To Walk On Clouds: A Dream State Experience (Workshop Notes)

This event was designed to guide participants in taking actionable steps towards their dreams and ambitions.

Dream State hosted a creative workshop for entrepreneurs this past Sunday called How To Walk On Clouds , hosted by in collaboration with the Asian Art Museum (SF) and other partners.

HTWOC Event Highlights:

With over 100 applications and 30 creatives in attendance, this event aimed to guide participants in taking actionable steps towards their dreams and ambitions, with insights from mentors and industry experts in creative fields.

The team held up their end of the bargain creating a space for impactful dialogue through conscientious spatial design, engaging workshops, impact and impactful dialogue that left attendees fulfilled and ready for the next DS activation.

Cloud Sessions : The event featured sessions led by mentors like Lisa, Chelsea, and Adonis, each bringing unique perspectives from their respective fields such as media, illustration, and digital storytelling.
Chelsea’s Insights : Chelsea, an artist, illustrator and designer, emphasized the importance of personal connection in art. She shared her journey of “failing her way up” and encouraged attendees to embrace creativity as a form of personal expression and community connection.
Adonis’s Journey : Known as “The Filipino Anthony Bourdain,” Adonis shared his transition from growing up in the streets of SF, serving in the military, and his current creative outlet of storytelling on IG. He highlighted the significance of supporting small businesses and maintaining authenticity in content creation.
Lisa’s Branding Workshop : Lisa, a branding expert, discussed the evolving nature of personal branding and the importance of authenticity. She encouraged attendees to align their brand with their personal story and creativity.
How Neural Connections Stimulate Creativity : Jenay Denise Hatchell lead a workshop educating us on the connections between creativity, gratitude and neuroscience. Curated exercises like the “Dream State Playlist” and “Gratitude Cards” fostered self-reflection, creative expression and an appreciation for life all in one beautiful session.
WHOSE DREAM was an interactive art session hosted by Yasmine Anastasia & Steph Cai that allowed attendees to make their own versions of Dream Catchers that originate from the Chippewa Native American Tribe.

Collective Apprehensions and Potential Solutions:

Fear of Failure : Many participants expressed concerns about failing in their creative endeavors. Chelsea addressed this by sharing her own experiences of “failing her way up” and emphasized the importance of viewing failure as a pivot point rather than a setback.
Balancing Creativity and Business : Adonis discussed the challenge of maintaining creative integrity while pursuing business opportunities. His solution was to avoid paid promotions, allowing him to retain ownership and authenticity in his work.
Branding and Authenticity : Lisa highlighted the apprehension around branding oneself without losing authenticity. Her advice was to let the brand evolve naturally and ensure it aligns with one’s personal story and values.

Big Quotes From Cloud Sessions:

Resounding Themes Of The Day

Embrace Creativity : The event underscored creativity as a therapeutic and essential part of personal and professional growth.
Community and Connection : Building and maintaining connections within the community was a recurring theme, with mentors emphasizing collaboration and support.
Authenticity in Branding : Attendees were encouraged to let their brand evolve naturally, ensuring it remains true to their core values and story.

Editor Notes

This was a refreshing event. Dream State brought together creatives with diverse backgrounds at different levels in their careers together to learn from, connect and share with one another in intentional, vulnerable and productive ways.

The day was positive from start to finish. There wasn’t one empty interaction throughout the day. That’s saying a lot after doing an 8 hour shift with folks. I’m dreaming more than ever before after today. I’m sure everyone that was in attendance is doing the same.

Make sure you follow Dream State on Instagram and visit their website to learn more at https://dreamst888.io/ .

How To Walk On Clouds: A Dream State Experience was originally published in PREP CULTURE on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Russ Sits With Jay Shetty To Discuss Manifestation, Self Love & Success.

Mon, 10 May 2021 20:03:00 GMT

Continue reading on PREP CULTURE »

F.A.M.E: The Model Block

Thu, 04 Apr 2019 04:27:00 GMT

Artists & designers are fuel for the F.A.M.E event, but in fashion, the product is only as good as the person representing it. Think of our models as the vehicles of the show. They come in all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and levels of experience, but one thing’s for certain: each brings a “je ne sais quoi” to their craft, the curio they sport, and this show.

Each of these models takes a piece from the designer, and imparts her/his personality, feelings, and emotions into the art they perform in, making it come to LIFE. They are akin to actors in the sense that they express the creator’s vision of each piece. With the multiform experience we’re creating for you, the connection won’t be hard to see. Here’s your chance to learn about each model in lieu of next Friday’s show!

F.A.M.E. - Fashion, Art, & Music Experience

Ti’Asha Oglesby

“I am a Richmond, Indiana native and a dual degree graduate of Ball State University. I am an educator and currently serve as an Assistant Principal in Lawrence Township. While attending Ball State, I was also the president of Trendz of Essence Modeling and Dance organization. In addition, I have modeled for local hair stylist and fashion designers for the past ten years.”

Jonathan Michele

“I’m a son, brother, and a father. I enjoy everything from a good book to skydiving. I’ll give my last dime to someone in need and not ever ask myself or wonder if I’ll ever get it back. I welcome good vibes, but am quick to cut off anyone who’s not interested in building my people and me up (#PostiveVibesOnly).

I only have one life and I want to live it to the fullest. I’m currently working on my license to become a wealth manager as well as working on my physiology degree. On top of that, I am also pursuing my pilot’s certificate and mastering the violin.”

Dakota Bruton

Dakota is an 18 year old model and actress from southern Indiana, represented by Treasure Coast Talent . She is a sophomore in college, studying Communications. She loves fashion, God, and animals.

Janita Nunn

“I am a Midwest model located in Louisville, KY represented by NV Model and Talent Agency in Cincinnati, OH. As a curvy model, my ambition is to bring high fashion to the curvy women in the Midwest.”

Jacobi Rent

Jacobi is a long time resident of Indianapolis and Purdue University graduate. He’s been an accounting professional for the last 6 years in Johnson County, IN and has recently become an entrepreneur.

Egypt Williams

“Hello my name is Egypt. I am a dancer, I currently dance both Hip-Hop & Latin styles for the Alexander Coleman Dance Studio. I have been dancing for quite a few years and also was on the color guard team in high school. I have a great passion for fashion which helps me create performance uniforms for our team. I am also an avid book-worm.”

André Booker

André is a St. Louis, Missouri native who is new to the model world but has always been a student of the fashion industry. A full-time Production Supervisor for Cintas Corporation, André looks to bring his business acumen and talents cultivated at Indiana University to promote and contribute to F.A.M.E.’s success. He’s also ready to #RipTheRunway this upcoming Friday!

Arika

Arika is a native of Indianapolis and has discovered, honed, & perfected her crafts in here hometown. She is a principal dancer in Kenyettá Dance Company, a published model, & theatrical actress. A “Jill of All Things Performance”, you may recognize Arika from one of her many performances throughout the city. Keep an eye out for this homegrown gem for her best season yet!

Donntez Cecil

Donntez is a Indy native. He works full time and is working towards getting signed with a modeling agency. He is also apart of the “Black Men Inspire” organization.

Payton Smith

Ashley Hunter

Make sure you come out and support each one of these artists on April 12th, 2019 at the Bella Marcia Lounge located on 3858 Lafayette Rd. Need a ticket? Make sure you grab one with the link below — they’re moving fast

Did we mention the VIP experience come with food & a gift bag filled with goodies from our preferred vendors? Well you can’t say we didn’t say so. Grab your ticket BEFORE THEY’RE ALL GONE!

F.A.M.E. - Fashion, Art, & Music Experience

F.A.M.E: The Model Block was originally published in PREP CULTURE on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

F.A.M.E: Where Fashion, Art & Music Collide!

Sat, 30 Mar 2019 00:47:00 GMT

Indy’s newest creative experience is set for April 12th. Here’s why you need to attend!

It’s no secret at this point: Indianapolis’ creative scene is bursting at the seams talent, and has been for quite some time. Whether you’re looking at music, fashion, or art, one doesn’t need to look very far to find quality talent in this city.

There is a “cultural renaissance” emerging here. With that movement comes a need for artistic patronage. Supporting artists, their work, and their platforms, whether it be monetarily or by showing up to an event supporting the space, is important to keeping the local art movement alive. By that same token, we can’t expect people to show up to every event, and when we do attempt to curate events they have to add to the very ethos of the culture. If we expect for the general public to support our events, products, and ecosystem, our product must provide an elevation of experience & quality for our space.

While there are events that support Indianapolis’ artistic scene, there are few events that push the precipice when it comes to delivering the type of eclectic experience Indy is missing. A growing creative market, many are looking for unique experiences reminiscent of high fashion & art events the likes of which (you feel like) can only find in mainstream entertainment markets like New York, Paris, Tokyo and the like.

Enter F.A.M.E.

What Is F.A.M.E?

F.A.M.E. is a creative multiform experience centered around celebrating local artists, talent, and creatives with a focus on the aesthetic disciplines of fashion, art, and music. F.A.M.E. serves as a new platform for creatives to network and share their skills, passions, and various interests in a space where fashion design, modeling, cosmetology, poetry, and visual and performing arts are showcased to the Indianapolis community’s art patrons.

Who Is The F.A.M.E Collective?

The collective is comprised of artists, creatives, and artrepreneurs of different backgrounds with a common goal of enhancing the creative experience of our local community. We are fashion influencers, techies, media professionals, creative directors, and performing artists. Though we all come from different disciplines & inhabit different spaces, the amalgamation of our experiences makes our collective perspective a new one we believe will take Indy’s creative scene to new heights.

Monty Matuka

As the Executive Producer and creator of F.A.M.E., Monty Matuka is a fashion influencer who is focused on creating a community for creatives throughout the city.

A full-time Sales Representative for Cintas Corporation, a Stylist for Saks Fifth Avenue, and a creator/designer of MELI, a high fashion mix between streetwear & traditional African attire, Monty is a fashion entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word. His creative vision and ability to execute under any situation is an integral aspect of F.A.M.E’s development.

Raemia “Mia” Higgins

A Kentucky born fashion “jill of all trades”, Mia is F.A.M.E’s Head of Styling . During the day, she is an apparel buyer at Finish Line HQ. Outside of her full time job, she is a freelance wardrobe stylist, designer, and lead stylist of Indiana Fashion Week.

To keep up with her style journey, follow Mia at @raemiastyle . You can also watch Raemia doing fashion segments on Wish-TV’s Indy Style lifestyle show.

Check out some of her latest articles and segments below!

Rich Trotman

Indy born, bred, and based artist & technologist Rich Trotman is a “jack of all trades” with mastery in music, and F.A.M.E’s Music Director . As a composer and multi-instrumentalist he’s exercised his gifts extensively on the local scene with venues ranging from the The Vogue to the IRT (Indiana Repertory Theatre). As a performer he’s shared the stage with an eclectic range of world class artists from Lalah Hathaway to George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic.

By day, he is the Senior Technology Manager for Drum Corps International (a pageantry performing arts non-profit – Marching Music’s Major League) where he oversees all technology initiatives and serves as broadcast engineer and technical director for live webcasts.

Every moment of everyday he is focused on utilizing his artistic gifts, technology acumen, and event logistics expertise to advance communication across barriers of language, culture, and class, affecting personal relationships and promoting balance.

BJ Teriba

A Brooklyn born content creator with roots in Nigeria, BJ is F.A.M.E’s Content Developer . A natural storyteller, BJ works by day for the Stacked Pickle Sports Bar Franchise as their Director of Marketing.

After hours, he is a content creator behind the PREP.BOY$ , a millennial media platform focused on the promotion of the 3 C’s (Culture, Creativity, and Community). He is also writes about Marketing, Branding, Content Creation, Philosophy, and Personal Development under the pen name: Profuse Habits .

LaKeisha Brown

LaKeisha is the Production Coordinator for F.A.M.E. In 2009, Brown created, produced, and invested in her very own variety artistry showcase, The Circus of Talent, giving birth to her top list of clients in fashion production and event management. Partnering with Celebrity Stylist Shyra Ely-Gash, Brown has produced over 20 fashion experiences creating her own lane in Indy’s fashion scene. One of Brown’s recent career highlights was serving as the Executive Creative Director to 2016 NCAA Women’s Final Four Brand Ambassador.

Styles by Ms. Ely and Brown kicked off Final Four Weekend by producing a fashion show featuring 80 VIP’s, and presented at Tourney Town, in front of a crowd of 8,000 guests. In her most recent success, Brown provided creative direction and produced a spectacular closing for the sold out 2019 Chris Smith All-Star Fashion Show in Charlotte, North Carolina. A talented and tenured production coordinator in the space, LaKeisha brings our team a diverse pot of experience creating and executing fashion productions, and a unique energy the team feeds off. Follow her at @brownkey on Instagram to keep up with her programs!

Tolani Verrisimo

A Lagos born, NYC raised eclectic, Tolani is serving as F.A.M.E.’s Production Assistant . A hearty creative and natural techy, Tolani consistently finds ways to curate content and experiences in his daily work. By day, Tolani works at Eli Lilly as a Sr. IT Analyst & Execution Lead and is the National Chief of Staff for BDPA , a national non-profit focused on the growth of minorities in the corporate world and adding diversity to the STEM fields.

Tolani has modeled for Old Navy in New York and for local brands here in Indianapolis, while also serving as Creative Strategist for a number of photo shoots and digital campaigns. A creative and contributor of the PREP.BOY$ , he enjoys using photography and videography as creative outlets for sports, fashion, and music, and business. His knack for finding solutions to technical and creative problems is an integral part of F.A.M.E’s development. Follow his creative journey at @FlyGuy_95 !

Lalah Ayan Hazelwood

Lalah is the Performance Director of F.A.M.E. She began her dance training at Kenyettá Dance Studio & Iibada Dance Company (Indianapolis, IN) and has since had the opportunity to study at Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, International Association of Blacks in Dance conferences and The Alvin Ailey School. Lalah earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Indiana University Bloomington where she currently teaches Modern Dance as an adjunct faculty member . She is also on faculty for the Indianapolis Ballet Conservatory in Carmel, IN.

Lalah is a three time, consecutive recipient of the National Society of Arts and Letters’ Chapter Career Award in Dance for the Bloomington Chapter. Lalah has performed professionally with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater (Chicago, IL), Philadanco (Philadelphia, PA) and Elizabeth Shea Dance (Bloomington, IN). This is Lalah’s third season as Associate Artistic Director and Rehearsal Director for Kenyettá Dance Company.

She has recently introduced her newest venture, Saucy Stilettos , a dance class in heels. Lalah plans to keep creating, curating and cultivating the art of dance in the Indianapolis community. She also runs a workout motivation page called “Baddies With Bawdy” ( @BaddiesWithBawdy ). Her creative vision, performance expertise, and bubbly personality gives F.A.M.E a feminine touch and experiential diversity that is truly unique. You can follow her at @Lalah_Ayan to keep up with her performances and fashion escapades!

Stay tuned for more information & updates on the show, the content creators involved and more content from the F.A.M.E collective. The experience we are curating is one unlike any this city has ever seen. Make sure you grab your ticket while there’s still time!

F.A.M.E. - Fashion, Art, & Music Experience

And follow us on Instagram @fame.collective‼️

F.A.M.E. (@fame.collective) * Instagram photos and videos

F.A.M.E: Where Fashion, Art & Music Collide! was originally published in PREP CULTURE on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Lessons From Christchurch: Pray Together

Sun, 24 Mar 2019 19:58:00 GMT

The lives claimed by the assailants of the Christchurch, NZ Mosque shootings have only made our faith stronger.

The power of prayer is multiplied tenfold when we pray together. The shameless acts of violence in New Zealand illustrate this perfectly. Had it been only one Muslim killed while praying, it would have been called a simple hate crime. But because the assailant claimed 50 martyrs, the episode has gained worldwide attention & created allies for the faith in ways no one but Allah(SWAT) could have even imagined.

As the imam at Masjid Al-Haqq in Indianapolis said this past Friday:

Let’s remember that Islam is not only submission to the will of Allah, but also the community of those who have given their hearts & lives to the will of Allah.

In Islam, Shahid, dying as a martyr is the greatest honor one can merit, second only to prophethood. May those who lost their lives reach the greatest heights of Al-Janna.

Ma’shallah.

Lessons From Christchurch: Pray Together was originally published in PREP CULTURE on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Steward Speakers: What The Youth Of Indianapolis Needs.

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 11:54:00 GMT

Living in Indianapolis as an African American millennial is tough. While there isn’t a shortage of African faces (depending on where you look), there is a lack of African American communalism if one doesn’t know where to start. Being an emigrate to the city myself, I have first-hand experience of how hard it is to find the mobilized black citizenry of Indianapolis. Many of us search for a space for communal discussion amongst our own, and at times have struggled So finding the Steward Speaker Series is one of the best things that has happened to me since moving to the city. The Steward Speaker Series has taken the forefront in filling this role for Indianapolis’ African American community.

The Steward Speaker Series provides 3 key components to the Indianapolis community: access to thought leadership (education), a forum for the discussion of our people’s current political state (engagement), and a town hall forum for our people’s voices to be heard by the community’s leaders (experience). It is the organization we as a demographic must get behind if we want to unite our voices, and create a truly shared consciousness as a community that insights ACTION.

Access to Thought Leadership (Education)

The Steward Speaker Series has been around for over 30 years and was created with the mission to “inform, inspire, and foster meaningful dialogue and cultural exchanges” (via StewardSpeakers.org). The slogan “More Than Just Talk” is supplanted by the fact that the thought leaders the series hosts are all leaders in their spaces through action first and foremost.

The Steward Speaker Series’ board members, volunteers, affiliates and the African American thought leaders they bring to this city, provide historical context in narratives many of our people are unfamiliar with, perspective on the communal issues of the day, and actionable ways for us to come together as a community to tackle these issues together.

Youth initiatives are a huge focus for the organization. The members of the organization find ways to impact the community with their own influence as established professionals. They bring in students K-12 to hear speakers address them at every major event. Awareness being spread informatively & digestibly, however, is something all attendees, regardless of age, benefit from & appreciate. Education, especially about our history, is an ongoing process throughout adulthood and providing an opportunity for African Americans of all age groups to learn about our culture & context is of the utmost importance to the organization.

Steward Speakers on Twitter

We had an amazing time speaking with the students of @igniteindy2017 at the #Fatemasters after school program last week, as our president & @IMPDnews officer, Matthew Steward, spent time discussing his role as & police officer & offering advice to the young leaders. �� https://t.co/oTOQAoV5er

A Forum For Discussion (Engagement)

Advocacy is important, but so are forums. While organizations like the NAACP & the Urban League provide spaces for African Diaspora advocacy at the grassroots level, the Steward Speaker Series serves as a hub organization for discussions on diversity & inclusion, racial dissension in current affairs, and the historical implications of our past here in America.

Providing a space for not only the members of these organizations but also other African American advocacy groups with different agendas & focuses allows for new connections to be made and fresh discourse to be had. It creates a space for organic networking amongst our people. The Steward Speakers also allows the various ideas and perspectives and beliefs of not only these organizations but the INDIVIDUAL to be heard as well. A space created purely for dialogue & discourse is important. The Steward Speaker Series provides a space for organic engagement and is an opportunity we should all take advantage of as African Diasporas living in Indianapolis.

A Town Hall Forum (Experience)

The experience of voicing your beliefs and perspectives as an African American here in Indianapolis is still a unique one in 2019. While organizations like the aforementioned NAACP, Urban League, African American student unions at the collegiate level, and others are doing their part to facilitate dialogue, there are not many places or moments where these various groups and levels of advocacy can come together, network, dialogue, and share space. The biggest value the Steward Speakers provides is this communal experience for the city’s African American collective.

Steward Speakers on Twitter

We laughed with @amandaseales talked reparations with @angela_rye but the #YearOfTheWoman series doesn't stop there up next the legendary Phylicia Rashad! You don't want to miss this one! Click the link in our bio and reserve your seat today! #MoreThanJustTalk #StewardSpeakers https://t.co/EhibojGz6j

There are not many places where college students, corporate professionals, advocates, political leaders, educators, and any other background you can think of (of any ethnicity) can come together either formally or informally to discuss public affairs. The experience Steward Speaker Series provides: a place for African Americans of all ages, socio-economic status’, and whatever other social identifiers can be conceived to be able to come together, dialogue, and learn from one another is simply invaluable. Mix African American thought-leaders in the equation and you have an indelible experience in the minds & hearts of every attendee.

In a city still fighting for recognition as a major city, there are not many opportunities where you will be able to listen to political strategist Angela Rye break down the context of generational trauma, hear a comedian & writer like Amanda Seales highlight & illustrate the thread of culture that ties African Americans together through comedy & music, and learn about historical African American communalism from the likes of Susan L. Taylor, Michael Eric Dyson, Reverend Al Sharpton, and Roland Martin. These learning moments are once in a lifetime experiences many of the attendees simply will not find if not for the Steward Speaker Series.

We Must Take ACTION.

The city of Indianapolis is a stalwart when it comes to the work being done in the space of African American promotion & advocacy. Organizations like the Indianapolis Urban League, 100 Black Men, Black Expo Inc., the Divine 9 Greek Organizations, and many others continue to play key roles in the fight for equity. There is, however, a lack of communal discourse which is an essential driver of grassroots change in any social movement. Steward Speaker Series has provided a platform for the entire African American community to get educated, involved in the conversation, and have our voices heard.

As millennials, we are the essential bridge to the old and the new. Old enough to remember what it was like to sneak and use the house phone for hours on end, and young enough to see when AT&T changed the game with “Unlimited Minutes & Data”. Rapper J.Cole beautifully illustrates the paradigm of operating between two very contrasting generations in his latest song, “Middle Child”, when he said:

Presumably, we have a responsibility to bridge the gap when it comes to the discourse concerning our people. It is essential for the city’s millennial youth to not only get involved in this forum but to champion the initiative by serving as a conduit for the members in our community unaware of this forum, both seasoned and youthful. It is our purpose. It is our duty. The Steward Speaker Series’ slogan is “More Than Just Talk”, a call to action for the discussions held at each event. Action, however, does indeed start with discourse.

Let’s drive action in our city. Join Steward Speaker Series at the next event, a part of the “Year Of The Women” series: An Evening With Phylicia Rashad

An Evening with Phylicia Rashad Powered by IUPUI

Steward Speakers on Twitter

Wise words from the next guest in our #YearOfTheWoman series the award winning Phylicia Rashad! Click the link in our bio and reserve your seat today! #MoreThanJustTalk #StewardSpeakers https://t.co/yrOOCKZAlu

Steward Speakers: What The Youth Of Indianapolis Needs. was originally published in PREP CULTURE on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Sip And Marvel 2019: Where fashion meets black excellence!

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 03:57:00 GMT

This weekend, I had the opportunity to work on the media team for the #SipAndMarvel Fashion Show (@Sip_And_Marvel), hosted by the Cleveland Brown’s own Chris Smith (@98chrissmith) during NBA All-Star Weekend. Hosted by female comedians & IG influencers, Jasmin Brown (@watchjazzy) & B.Simone (@thebsimone2), stars were definitely in the building both for the pre-show & show day. This was truly one for the record books 🔥. The event, planned by @deandraalex_pr & curated by the infamous @humblehea

MTA Fashion Show: An Elegant Celebration of Indianapolis Curators

Sun, 10 Feb 2019 16:05:00 GMT

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the “2019 Meet The Artist (MTA) Fashion Show”, hosted by “Passion 4 Fashion Week”. I had never previously attended a show and when I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised by the huge crowd the event had drawn.Curated by one of the city’s pre-eminent style & beauty experts, Ms. Nicole Renee of Fox 59, the MTA Fashion show easily drew upwards of 400 of the city's fashion connoisseurs and featured some fresh & unfamiliar brands, giving many the chance to s

PREP.LIFESTYLE: Top 5 Indianapolis Rappers (#WhoGotTheWave?)

Wed, 06 Feb 2019 04:48:00 GMT

It's been some time since the last blog post from the PREP team. We took a hiatus of sorts. We know. You're disappointed.Things got hectic, work started taking up a lot of time--for all of the contributors, and ultimately our platform suffered as a result. We call it a learning experience. We've moved on, worked on our faults, and now we are STRONGER THAN EVER. More content. More personalities. More energy. More PREP.All 2019. You better believe it. In any case, we're back and this time, we've

Norrie The Goat Floats Thru Nap In "Expensive".

Mon, 13 Aug 2018 23:19:00 GMT

I’m still a fan of lyricism. In an era where rap is such a common commodity being sold, the idea “quality over quantity” holds ever so true, yet is very rarely taken into account by Hip-Hop’s newest mantle bearers. But this kid’s got a shot. To be the GOAT. Enter Norrie The Goat. An Indianapolis resident by way of Cleveland, Norrie The Goat is one of Naptown's best kept secrets. When I met first met the man in 2016, I fashioned him a rapper. He soon shattered my idea, by showcasing an epic fre

CEO Billy & Trill Sammy Stunt In ATV's On "Woke Up

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 15:36:00 GMT

The summer's been flooded with great music and dope content not only from members of the formal music industry, but also from young indie rappers on the come-up. The Indianapolis music scene has blown up in the past few weeks with local talent popping up from all over & known talents taking their output to new heights. Today, CEO Billy, a rapper out of the 317 with big drip, keen fashion sense, and immaculate swagger brings the worlds together with his song "Woke Up", featuring viral video sens

SAD!: My Thoughts on XXXTentacion's Posthumous Video

Sun, 22 Jul 2018 23:41:00 GMT

No matter the race, religion, creed or color of the individual reading this article, one thing remains constant: we are all battling our own personal demons. Even on our best days, our darker sides seem to pull us back to those same habits or actions we have been trying to avoid. In Marvel's Dr. Strange, The Ancient One (played by Tilda Swinton) is discussing with Mordo (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) one's inner battle with their demons. Mordo believes that one can conquer their demons when given

"So I Hear You Talk to Fish...": DC premieres the first look at Aquaman

Sun, 22 Jul 2018 21:55:00 GMT

DC Films had a few tricks up their sleeves at this year's San Diego Comic Con. In addition to unveiling the first official trailer for SHAZAM!, the first official look at DC's Aquaman was also on display. Returning to reprise the role of Arthur Curry/Aquaman is Jason Mamoa (Game of Thrones). Aquaman made his theatrical debut in last year's Justice League film. His appearance in Justice League was one of the brighter spots in a movie that was not well received at the box office and with fans alik

Imagine being 15 with Superpowers: DC unveils SHAZAM

Sun, 22 Jul 2018 20:48:00 GMT

With San Diego Comic Con in full swing over the weekend, it was no surprise that it would be full of surprises and big reveals. DC Films came out swinging over the weekend. They have officially named their movie universe: Worlds of DC. With the rebranding of the DCEU (the unofficial name given to the intertwined DC Film universe) DC Films is given the opportunity to steer away from the dark and cynical universe that Zach Snyder created with Man of Steel and Batman V Superman. Unveiling the fir

An International Artist with A Gameplan

Wed, 27 Jun 2018 18:10:00 GMT

Last week, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie released his second album, International Artist. Fresh off last year's hit album, The Bigger Artist, A Boogie has enjoyed a level of superstardom. He hit the ground running and put himself in positions to further market his brand as an artist. On top of releasing his first major album, he was featured on the Netflix original series, "Rapture," guest starred on Maroon 5's "Wait" and EDM DJ Marshmello's "Friends," and was one of the headlining artist for Rolling

GoldLink's Midis Touch: Got Friends (feat. Miguel)

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 14:35:00 GMT

GoldLink returns to bless the summer airwaves with yet another banger. Fresh off last year’s Grammy nomination, he picks up right where he left off with Got Friends. A bass heavy, hypnotizing beat partnered with Miguel’s timeless vocals, GoldLink sets the scene for a conversation between himself and a young woman. He’s in a situation everybody has been in: spotting the opportunity to talk to that one you've had your eye on all night and running with it. He’s caught somewhere between trying to

ComplexKAN: "Ye" & The "LeBron James Symptom."

Sun, 10 Jun 2018 21:31:00 GMT

What comes to mind when you hear the name Kanye West? He’s made headlines in past weeks with his “slavery is a choice” statements and social media activity. He’s also garnered attention for his support of President Donald Trump with a “Make America Great Again” hat on camera & comparisons to Trump-- #DragonEnergy ring a bell? In the past three weeks alone, Kanye dropped Ye, executive produced Pusha T’s “DAYTONA,” and partnered with Kid Cudi on “Kids See Ghosts.” With a shoe dropping later this

Jorja Smith Comes Out the Gate Swinging

Sun, 10 Jun 2018 18:48:00 GMT

Over the weekend, Jorja Smith released her highly anticipated album, LOST & FOUND. After dropping her Project 11- EP, releasing the hit record "On My Mind" with Preditah and featuring on Drake's More Life, Jorja created buzz in the music industry. She does not disappoint with her first official album. LOST & FOUND is a beautiful concoction of sultry late night tunes blended with rap undertones and a dash of vocal ballads. The album also carries with it a very emotionally raw sound that will hav

Album Review: Ne-Yo

Sun, 10 Jun 2018 17:18:00 GMT

Ne-Yo returns to the music scene after a three year hiatus with his seventh album, GOOD MAN. On GOOD MAN, Ne-Yo takes on the task of balancing his R&B lyrical wizardry with the sounds of the time. With songs like "LA NIGHTS" and "Apology," he experiments with certain trap elements while still staying true to his R&B roots. Ne-Yo also tries his hand with Caribbean infused sounds with "Push Back," a song perfect for that one backyard party or BBQ flex everyone looks forward to when it starts get

Who Is @Gunna?

Sun, 10 Jun 2018 14:43:00 GMT

The Artist: Gunna Gunna (@gunna) Gunna is an ATL native with a penchant for fashion and a serpentine-like lyricism that leaves listeners hypnotized most verses. His most recent work, Drip Season 3 peaked on Billboard 200 at number 55 & on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums at number 25, and with major features like Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, Nav, Lil Yachty, Hoodrich Juan Pablo, & Young Jordan, Gunna is gearing up for what looks to be an AMAZING summer for the young star. The Journey: Drip Seaso

After The Dust Settles: Drake v. Pusha T

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 15:17:00 GMT

The past two weeks have been nothing short of exciting when it comes to the music world. It brought us the release of A$AP Rocky's anticipated album Testing and Pusha T's newest project, DAYTONA. Both albums brought their own unique sound and content, worthy of multiple accolades. However, it was Pusha's album that caught the attention of masses and did not let go. With a feud dating back to "Exodus 23:1" Pusha has not held back any punches when it comes to his beef with Lil' Wayne and Birdman.

Noblesville Middle School Teacher Tackles Gunman, Saves Hundreds

Sat, 26 May 2018 18:45:00 GMT

The StorySchool shootings are unfortunately occurring far more than anyone cares for in the U.S, and yesterday things got very close to home in the Noblesville area when a middle-school student wielding 2 handguns opened fire on his fellow classmates-- that's when Seaman decided his students' lives were more important than his own. At 9 a.m, the assailant opened fire & after one of his students. A 13 year old female student was injured before Jason Seaman tackled the gunman while taking 3 shots

Duppy Freestyle: Reaction & Breakdown

Sat, 26 May 2018 13:10:00 GMT

The ReactionSo I was sitting at the office writing when I got a text from my good friend Mase (@masonarchie2)-- it was a link to Drake's “Duppy Freestyle” dropped on Soundcloud. Being from Brooklyn, I had heard the word before, but being stuck in The Nap (Indianapolis) the past 2 years, I needed to brush up. The first thing I did was look up “Duppy” on Urban Dictionary: “Duppy man is used in Jamaican culture to reference someone who does not exist.” Says a lot about how the man feels (lol). I l

Movie Alert: "Staying Alive" curated and directed by AG.Tha Pharoah.

Sat, 26 May 2018 02:46:00 GMT

The ContextA.G. Tha Pharoah is more than a talented Rap Artist. He is a graphic designer, videographer, photographer, and now curating and directing a movie "Staying Alive". AG. is heavily involved in the community and an activist for equality. He has conjured many logos including clothing designs for the popular "Nap or Nothing" takeover. He released a movie trailer recently today, and the clip features local artists and curators such as ELdirtyAC, Berto Bartell, Kiana Strayhon (@Mind_Heavy_ M

KOD REVIEW

Sat, 26 May 2018 01:11:00 GMT

The ContextIf you haven't been living under a rock the past 5 or so years, J.Cole is a familiar name to you. He is considered a conscious rapper by the masses and is a renowned lyricist in the hip-hop industry who draws close comparisons to fellow peers, Kendrick Lamar and Drake in terms of reach and brand, though they all have their own unique sound. Blending melody with remarkable lyricism, the Fayetteville native's unique style seems to be a mixture of both of his closest peers styles, drawin

B2NTL3Y: The Profound Chicago Artist Making Waves In Nap.

Wed, 23 May 2018 21:17:00 GMT

B2NTL3Y is a very gifted artist we are blessed to have in Indianapolis. His music is thought provoking, his cadence is electrifying, and he is a phenomenal storyteller. Until yesterday, I only knew of his music. After interviewing this gentleman, he not only executed his interview in one take but he has provided many gems in marketing and branding for his community. Look out for the Connoisseur Sauce interview with B2NTL3Y dropping on Youtube very soon. Also, check out my songs, on all platfor

Rocky x BlocBoy JB Link Up For A Starry & Playful Production

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 01:58:00 GMT

A$AP Rocky & BlocBoy JB link in up unconventional but not totally unexpected move and release “Bad Company” on SoundCloud. Thoughts on this track?

Personally, I like the track for what it is — a playful & unorthodox sounding tune that almost sounds like it should be more a part of a British comedy than a rap song. It’s not a bad thing though. Their willingness to push the boundary of what we all expect them to hear is super refreshing.

Let me know what you think!!!

Original Story via HotNewHipHop.com

Rocky x BlocBoy JB Link Up For A Starry & Playful Production was originally published in PREP CULTURE on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

PREPNEWS: SXSW Recap: Shots of Parris LaDame, BandHunta Izzy, Yella Beezy, Boonk Gang And More!

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 05:19:00 GMT

The Second largest music festival in the U.S, SXSW is a media team’s dream & as such the PREP.BOY$ took full advantage.

Last week, the PREP.BOY$ took the opportunity to head down to SXSW for an amazing opportunity to connect with artists, grab dope content, and revel in the pandemonium & crowd centric atmosphere that keeps us coming back for more every year.

SXSW Recap Video – WannMillion

We accompanied local talent & lyrical queen of Nap, Parris LaDame of Bag Music Group, who already had quite a name for herself heading into the weekend and continued to build a name for herself with strong performances & amazing energy while interacting with fans all weekend.

While stage performances were absolutely energized and engaging, Parris’ energy in the streets meeting other artists, engaging with fans, shooting music videos up & down 6th st., and even performing in an impromptu street performance that drew the crowd of the weekend was absolutely incredible!

While running the streets of Austin, we ran into a handful of artists on the rise, the most noteworthy including Yella Beezy, Chris Sails, Yella MRC, CEO Billy and a handful of other artists.

parris ladame on Twitter

@wann317 �� https://t.co/jirrBNftpW

Take a look at our content below, and make sure you stay tuned �� & #StayPREPPED�� for the next feature.

Make sure you tag anyone you know or see in this!!!

#StayPrepped��

PREPNEWS: SXSW Recap: Shots of Parris LaDame, BandHunta Izzy, Yella Beezy, Boonk Gang And More! was originally published in PREP CULTURE on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

PREPMUSIC: Smoove Da Don Hits The #LOTTO In His Newest Visual.

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 00:54:00 GMT

Smoove Da Don ( @balismoove on IG) just released a video with a cinematic intro that’s sure to take anybody who’s ever lived near a bodega down memory lane.

The video starts with our protagonist at the store window putting in his “numbers” for today’s lottery picks. The rest of the video chronicles Smoove’s come up from being “down” to “hitting the lotto”.

Make sure you check out the full visual below & subscribe to his channel to #StayPREPPED with more moved from the young phenom!

Finally, big Shout-out to the creative director, Kaiyah Naprih, & videographer Melo (@ShotByMeloWTM) for the EXCELLENT work on this project. Artists are only as good as their latest content & these two are doing an excellent job of keeping Smoove Da Don looking smooth.

PREPMUSIC: Smoove Da Don Hits The #LOTTO In His Newest Visual. was originally published in PREP CULTURE on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

PREPMUSIC: Black Mike Da Don & Lil Duke Drop A Drippy Visual For “WET” .

Wed, 14 Mar 2018 23:20:00 GMT

Black Mike Da Don, a rapper out of Brooklyn, NY has been making waves on the NY music scene the past few months and continues to apply pressure with his newest song “Wet” (which is streaming on ALL platforms)

The visual, shot by well known videographer @ LvtrKevin , was shot in Brooklyn, NY in the East New York area & features a couple of very nice Beamers, some signature Guccy™️pieces donned by his team ( Just Us Music Group ).

Check out the full video released by Raps & Hustles here & leave a commenr. Did they go crazy? Could have come harder? Let us know!

#StayPrepped

PREPMUSIC: Black Mike Da Don & Lil Duke Drop A Drippy Visual For “WET” ��. was originally published in PREP CULTURE on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

PREP.MU$IC: Smoove Da Don x Kaimikaze Kai go crazy on "Flows".

Fri, 26 May 2017 23:43:00 GMT

Rap is about flow. The ability put words together in clever & entertaining ways. A lot of rappers in our generation are getting by off...

Blog | prepintl

Giving Back on Christmas Day 2025 With City Eats , United Tribes of Africa & Flygerian Jeff in Oakland

The Reality In Oakland

A 15+ Year Tradition of Giving

City Eats: Service as a Way of Life

Connecting the Dots: Flygerian Jeff & the UTA Team

More Than a Meal ﻿

Moving Forward ﻿

Club 520 x Adidas: When a Podcast Earns a Sneaker Deal

A new‑media case study in real time, where barbershop talk evolves to broadcast networks, niche communities become distribution channels, and a podcast demonstrates that the future of culture is built, not bought.

"Since joining The Volume in October 2023, Club 520's YouTube channel has gone from 35,000 subscribers to over 760,000. In 2025, Club 520 has driven 200 million YouTube views and 150 million social impressions." -

What Growth From The Ground Up Looks Like

Club 520 Didn’t Just Get a Deal. It Sent a Signal.

" Club 520 has become one of the most authentic and influential voices in basketball culture . " - Max Staiger, Global General Manager of Adidas Basketball.

Club 520 and the New Media Growth Playbook

The Numbers Behind The Shift

A Snapshot of The Podcast Landscape

Steady Growth In Listenership Across The Industry

Why a Podcast Getting a Sneaker Deal Matters

Influencer Marketing Isn't Dead—It Just Got More Specific

The Origin Story: How 520 Became a Freight Train

You can't talk about Club 520 without starting with DJ Wells .

Jeff Teague: From the League to the Voice Of The City

B-Hen: From Hendricks Catering to Household Name

Mike Harris: Watchful Eye Behind the Lens

The Formula: Why This Works

What Creators Can Learn

For podcasters and content creators, here's the real formula buried inside their story:

What it means for the landscape

The 520 universe is starting to look less like “just a show” and more like its own little media league.

Adding the 520 ecosystem

For podcasters building platforms of your own, there's a takeaway here too:

What This Means Going Forward (for 520—and for You)

Joyce Gordon Foundation Gala: A Powerful Evening for the Oakland Arts Community

Stepping Into the Vision

A Room That Looked Like a Love Letter

The Host Who Carried the Room

Building the New Joyce Gordon Arts Hub

Investing in the Next Generation: The Scholarship Fund & Fund-A-Need

The Art of Giving: Auction, Games & The Last Art Hero

Honoring the Visionaries: 2025 Community Art Awards

Stories, Sound, and Spirit

Why This Night Mattered

How to Support

Oakland’s Voice, Live: The Story Behind Paidro Classic’s Jack Daniel’s Freestyle

@ArtByBlack Taps Into Deep Introspection and Late-Night Intimacy on “Private Hours”

Attn: The Bay Area Cultural Renaissance Is Here

From PREP.BOY$ to PREP Culture — A Note From The Editor

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves.

How To Walk On Clouds: A Dream State Experience

How To Walk On Clouds: A Dream State Experience (Workshop Notes)

This event was designed to guide participants in taking actionable steps towards their dreams and ambitions.

HTWOC Event Highlights:

Collective Apprehensions and Potential Solutions:

Big Quotes From Cloud Sessions:

Resounding Themes Of The Day

Editor Notes

Russ Sits With Jay Shetty To Discuss Manifestation, Self Love & Success.

F.A.M.E: The Model Block

Ti’Asha Oglesby

Jonathan Michele

Dakota Bruton

Janita Nunn

Jacobi Rent

Egypt Williams

André Booker

Arika

Donntez Cecil

Payton Smith

Ashley Hunter

F.A.M.E: Where Fashion, Art & Music Collide!

Indy’s newest creative experience is set for April 12th. Here’s why you need to attend!

What Is F.A.M.E?

Who Is The F.A.M.E Collective?

Monty Matuka

Raemia “Mia” Higgins

Rich Trotman

BJ Teriba

LaKeisha Brown

Tolani Verrisimo

More Than a Meal

Moving Forward