Strange on Purpose

Jream Henderson and Britney Hand of NinetyNine products join me for the 206th episode of Strange on Purpose to talk about all things NinetyNine. From their latest creations to their creative pursuits, y'all are not trying to miss this one!

Operating at the intersection of sport, music + fashion, Tara has 10+ years of experience working with major brands developing creative strategies, brokering talent partnerships + executing national campaigns.As an independent talent manager, she has delivered $5 million in partnerships for various independent creatives such as Lyrical Lemonade, Hypland, Kristopher Kites, Kodone + more. Driving partnerships with brands like NFL, NBA, Nike, Jordan, Instagram, Shopify, Walmart, Jack Daniels, Netflix, Honda + more.As an independent creative strategist and producer she has worked brand direct with clients like Cheez-It, Pringles, Twix, Jordan Brand, Adidas basketball, Kanye West, Crocs, Puma, Foot Locker, Champs Sports + more.

Originally from Ponce, Pedro thought his life was going to be full of engineering work for the rest of his life. That was until a conversation with a former professor and a crazy set of events changed his life forever. From Ponce to Crocs, this is the story of Pedro Rodriguez.

Diadora, Nike, Fila and more. Jonathan de Lagarde dives deep into his career journey to date and how it's shaped him in working with the likes of Ciara and Russell Wilson.

From architect school to pumping gas. Sarmad Marzuq left a promising career that didn't fit his view on how he saw his life. Little did he know that he'd be designing shoes for KITH, ALD, and other New Balance collaborators a year from pumping gas. Committed to sharing his journey with young creatives, Sarmad jumps on the show to talk about his journey, creative block and other hot topic items in the space. Follow Sarmad here: https://www.instagram.com/sarmadmarzuq/

Today we're joined by Ricardo Emmanuel, a DJ, Photographer, Videographer, and more. He gives us insight into his creative endeavors including a project with Sean Wotherspoon at Coachella with Adidas. He's worked with brands such as Nike/Jordan, Footlocker, Merit, Usher, Instagram/meta, Adidas, Reebok, Calvin Klein! Check him out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickydirects/

In the 200th episode of the Strange on Purpose Podcast, Chloe Mann and Aundre Gray of Reebok join us to talk about the latest Human Rights Now capsule from Reebok. The Human Rights Now! collection is a long-term product platform designed to fuel the brand’s mission to inspire human rights and human movement. The Human Rights Now! platform is just one of the Reebok’s pillars to execute its commitment to stand united against racism through creating a more inclusive environment but also contributing to and promoting Black and LatinX communities.

Running saved Alison Mariella Désir’s life. At rock bottom and searching formeaning and structure, Désir started marathon training, finding that it vastlyimproved both her physical and mental health. Yet as she became involved in thecommunity and learned its history, she realized that the sport was largely builtwith white people in mind. To help make running more inclusive and welcomingto people of color, Désir founded Harlem Run, an NYC-based running movement,and Run 4 All Women, which has raised over $150,000 for Planned Parenthoodand $270,000 for Black Voters Matter.Désir is currently co-chair of the Running Industry Diversity Coalition, a Run Happy Advocate for Brooks Running,and an Athlete Advisor for Oiselle. A graduate of Columbia University for her bachelor’s and two master’s degrees,including a master’s of education in counseling psychology, Alison has been published in Outside Magazine,contributed the foreword for Running is My Therapy by Scott Douglas, and founded the Meaning Thru MovementTour, a speaking series featuring mental health experts and fitness professionals. Running While Black is her firstbook. Alison Mariella Désir currently lives with her son, Kouri Henri, and partner, Amir Muhammad Figueroa,outside of Seattle.

Andrea Campos is a proud first-generation Latinx illustrator & photographer based in sunny California that specializes in creating expressive, upbeat work. Andrea joins us today to talk about how COVID started her journey in illustration and her new book with Jimmy Fallon and JLo!

Louis Colon of atmos USA details his unique approach to marketing and how the best part about his move to atmos is yet to come. He tells us about his rocky beginnings from calling quits on his sneaker businesses and more.

Liz Flores is a Chicago based artist and muralist, painting the human form through shapes and colors. Working primarily with acrylic paint on canvas, her work is a reaction to life, an emotion, or a memory. Liz joins us to talk about her upbringing, love for Charmander and sooo much more!

From Guatemala to Rwanda to LA, Andres Paz Micheo has left a stamp wherever he goes. Whether it was at Adidas with Ye and Pharrell or in Rwanda helping bring essential cellular to the people, Andres has seen it all and jumps on today to talk about those experiences and more!

Johan Martinez-Khalilian is an executive coach. Khalilian grew up in Humboldt Park, Chicago. In 2005 he was featured on the cover of RedEye magazine, a youth-oriented weekly published by the Chicago Tribune. He has appeared on TV and radio shows, including The Tyra Banks Show and the Today Show. He works as a youth motivational speaker. Johan jumps on the show today talk about his upbringing, getting started as a creative and so much more!

Today we're joined by Chris Belloso, the co-founder & co-host of the Latin Wealth. Chris covers finance, podcasting struggling as a creative and more!

Andres Izquieta is a multi-hyphenate CPG entrepreneur in the areas of fashion, food and beverage, and entertainment. His passion and drive sits at the intersection of sustainability, culture, community and consumer products. He's the CEO & co-founder of sustainability based beverage company, Chiki Chiki Boom Boom, a brand driven by regeneration and social impact. He's the co-founder of Five Four Group, a multi-million dollar fashion conglomerate with brands such as Five Four, Menlo Club, New Republic, Young & Reckless, and Ales Grey, who have collectively generated over $600million in revenues. 

Texas-born, Carolina-raised. Krista started her journey back in 2015 as the youngest member of the social media team for Pope Francis' visit to the United States. There, she collaborated and learned from some of the top photographers, digital marketers, and community managers in the industry. Currently, Krista is a Senior Analyst, Digital and Social Analytics at NASCAR and a freelance photographer in Charlotte, NC. She has worked with many sports teams including the Carolina Panthers, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, Charlotte FC, Charlotte Independence soccer team and the NFL. 

A Beer marketer turned sneaker designer, Luis Moreno is on a path to find himself and bring what was once a creative outlet, into the limelight!

Shop Latinx was created after the 2016 presidential election when Chavez found herself at a career and identity crossroads. She was itching to find a passion in life using her skills to develop solutions for the Latinx community. After realizing there was no specific group amplifying the work of Latinx small business owners, Chavez built the platform. With Shop Latinx, Chavez created a space that harnesses the power of investing in the Latinx community through your dollar.  

Jesus Gonzalez is the Vice President, Creative, Latin, at Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Based out of the company’s Los Angeles office, he oversees the Latin Creative team, helping to sign and develop new talent, assist BMI’s family of songwriters and publishers, and serve as a liaison between the Latin music community and the industry at large. Since joining BMI, Gonzalez has overseen countless initiatives for the Company, from curating showcases, moderating panels, and signing and developing new talent to honoring two of the most iconic reggaeton pioneers, Wisin & Yandel, at the 2022 BMI Latin Awards. Additionally, he secured BMI as the PRO sponsor at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) and worked on several Hispanic Heritage Month projects to further highlight Latin songwriters. Among those were a How I Wrote That song panel at the GRAMMY Museum, various Know Them Now interviews, and a curated showcase, Sonidos, at SXSW.

Geza jumps on the pod to talk his journey and the upcoming launch of his brand, Tomorrow Isn't Promised!