In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', founders of fast emerging and growing platform 'Hip Hop Seattle'(@hiphopseattle), share the journey of trying to build a movement that will help preserve the Hip Hop culture of the Northwest for future generations to come. Growing up avid fans of Hip Hop themselves, the narrative of "you need to get out the city to be appreciated" compelled these young brothas to take that narrative into their own hands by building a full force media platform, focused on g...
Oct 15, 2019•47 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', talented founder of 'Sweetpeas Cakes' (@sweetpeascakes), Jennifer Jones shares her journey to fully committing to her cake artistry by investing in herself. From an early age of creating decorative cakes for friends and family, it was evident that it was more than possible for her to create her own lane and build a full fledge cake decorating company that will leave an impact on memorable moments in her clients lives. From the early struggles of the entrep...
Oct 02, 2019•35 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', we're back again with the 4th #ListenerAppreciationWeek episode. This episode is a chance for us to connect with YOU the listener but more importantly, giving our listeners the platform to drive topics, promote their projects and have great conversation around what’s important to them. For The Listener By The Listener This weeks guest is loyal listener & culture cultivator, Justin Cox (@smooveascanb). Make sure to tune in and show some love to a listen...
Sep 25, 2019•1 hr 11 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Creator and Founder of rising apparel/clothing company 'Make it Count'(@micbrandseattle), Deuce Porter(@deuceporter_) shares a journey of true elevation through sticking to your blueprint. Growing up in adverse conditions within his neighborhood/environment led him to want more for himself and furthermore for his community in the form of positive representation. From sitting on his idea for some time, to finally pulling the trigger on his concept and quick...
Sep 05, 2019•53 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Tacoma native and founder of 'Inner Enso', Shaunte Nance (@shaunte_nj), discusses a journey filled with peaks and valleys. Overcoming many early losses in her life, she committed to the game of basketball landing a spot on the Harlem Globetrotters, but continued her drive after sports into the uplifting of the youth within her community through guiding the students of @stembytaf. Her new company 'Inner Enso' aims to empower women through healing, unificati...
Aug 22, 2019•49 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', the dynamic duo on the mic, Sierra Stewart(@sierra2leone) and Makeda Critchlow(@bajan_baddie) share the journey of building their platform for the voiceless known as the 'Black in the City' podcast(@blackincitypod). As two young black women using their voice to provide the accurate representation that’s needed in the media space, their show brings listeners very relatable and ‘for the culture’ type of content on a weekly basis in their own unique way. Show...
Aug 14, 2019•53 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', professional basketball player and Seattle native, Tremaine Isabell Jr.(@otrillmaine), takes us on a journey of ups and downs that all started from the dribble. From his early success through the high school ranks to entering college, his path was unconventional and yet the perfect preparation for a long career in hoops. Whether it was enduring the naysayers when things weren't going his way, to eventually playing the game of basketball professionally, thi...
Jul 25, 2019•58 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' ultra creative and video/photo extraordinaire, Chase Fade (@chasefade), shares his journey of refocusing his lens for success. From early trials and errors of finding his lane in videography/photography, it was his dedication of keeping his head down grinding while building relationships that propelled him. From directing videos for up and coming artists in his city to eventually working with the likes of Bas, J.Cole and the entire Dreamville team(@dreamvil...
Jul 17, 2019•1 hr 3 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Super Bowl Champion, NFL Pro-bowler, and former defensive end of the Seattle Seahawks(@seahawks), Cliff Avril(@cliffavril), shares a journey of being a late bloomer playing in his teen years to growing into a true champion on and off the field. From being apart of one of the most legendary runs in sports history to keeping his marathon going off the field with his endless philanthropic work with his 'Cliff Avril Family Foundation' team in his homeland of H...
Jul 10, 2019•1 hr 8 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' the city of Seattle's emerging and driven talent 'Mafi D' (@mafidklickup)of 'B.A.G Records', shares his powerful and transformative journey using hip hop to carve his own lane. From growing up facing the obstacles that came with being in the type of environment that presents challenges for young black men in communities nation-wide, it was the demonstration/outlet of music that shifted Mafi D's perspective towards finding his purpose. From being a self-taug...
Jul 03, 2019•49 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' positivity promoter and young media mogul in the making, Hannah Joy Gebresilassie (@hannahjoytv) shares an amazing journey of taking ownership into her own hands when it comes to her presence in media and storytelling. From working as a successful full time news reporter/anchor to leaving her job to start her own media company and her own lifestyle brand @promotepositivitymovement, she explains all about the "joy" found in owning your process. This story is...
Jun 26, 2019•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' founder and visionary of 'The Collective Seattle', Anthony Kerr, takes us on a journey of how a simple group chat evolved into what is now a massive network of over 3,000 young professionals of color unified here in Seattle. The fragmentation that once existed amongst the black community in the greater Seattle area has been shifting over the past few years and organizations like 'The Collective Seattle' has helped drive more unity and presence for the under...
Jun 19, 2019•45 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', we're back again with the 3rd #ListenerAppreciationWeek episode. This episode is a chance for us to connect with YOU the listener but more importantly, giving our listeners the platform to drive topics, promote their projects and have great conversation around what’s important to them. For The Listener By The Listener This weeks guest is loyal listener & culture cultivator, @somalygurl. Make sure to tune in and show some love to a listener who's always...
Jun 04, 2019•33 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' owner/visionary and the "Chef in charge' of 'Alcove'(@alcoveseattle) restaurant herself, Emme Ribero Collins(@chefemme_), shares her journey of cooking up her own recipe to success. From taking over her family's business and reigniting the space into her vision of a 32-seat dining room with four communal tables designed to accommodate a family-style service and encourage a sense of community and her Brazilian culture. From all the ups and downs and ups agai...
May 22, 2019•37 min
In this episode of ‘The UpNUp Podcast’, dedicated and determined CEO/Founder of BAR Digital (@bardigital), Bobby Gay, shares his journey to building a platform that is helping professional athletes around the world see the many fruits of their labor for generations to come. From his numerous experiences starting out working as an understudy to some of the sports worlds best in business, to now having built a team of clients such as Jordin Canada (@jordincanada), Bradley McDougald (@babylead), Wi...
May 08, 2019•57 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Hip-Hop artist and community leader himself, 'Rell Be Free' (@rellbefree) shares how he found a way to marriage both uplifting his people while still elevating his musical trajectory to be a "peoples champ" that his community needs. From his early experiences being taught black literature to creating showcases at the early age of 15 years old, he was destined to not only create art but also create change through it. Having put out several projects, perform...
Apr 23, 2019•48 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', creator, visionary, and host of 'Balanced Black Girl Podcast' (@balancedblackgirlpodcast), Lestraundra Alfred (@balancedles) gives an inside look at her evolution through building a platform that aims to guide women of color towards living their best balanced life. From investing in equipment and jumping into the game to building a following of strong passionate women who are now helping spread her message. Whether its running a successful podcast, launchi...
Apr 10, 2019•45 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', founder/owner of fast rising fitness and lifestyle brand 'Fly Above', Najee Ladd Ali, gives us a look at his journey through redefining what it means to go beyond just being an athlete. Facing obstacles navigating the "student athlete' balance of wanting a thorough education but being demanded to only have time for sports, he began educating himself and was able to carve his own lane into entrepreneurship. Whether its uplifting his community through health...
Mar 20, 2019•1 hr 3 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', CEO/Founder of widely and culturally celebrated coffee cafe 'Boon Boona Coffee' (@boonboonacoffee), Efrem Fesaha, gives us an inside look at a journey of persistence to reaching the point of cutting the ribbon and opening the doors to his new cafe. He spent many years of doing finance work in the "corporate world" for large companies, eventually jumping off the "corporate cliff" and using his talents for his own venture to build a bridge between African sp...
Mar 12, 2019•53 min
In this episode of ‘TheUpNUp Podcast’ passionate and committed leader within the arts, Phillip Chavira, shares his journey to becoming the first person of color to be an Executive Director for the ’Intiman Theatre’(@intimantheatre). From witnessing the inequalities within the arts early on in life to working his way up to co-producing the Tony Award nominated Broadway play ‘Eclipsed’ featuring Lupita Nyongo and Danai Gurira, and making history as the first ever Broadway play with an all-female c...
Feb 27, 2019•47 min
In the episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Co-owner of premiere retail apparel boutique 'ETC Tacoma' (@etctacoma), Umi Wagoner, takes us on a journey of two friends who leveraged their likeminded taste for fashion into an established brand and business. From starting out selling streetwear apparel in high-school and college, they were able to reach a greater goal of building a high-end retail store that could serve as a staple in their community of Tacoma and beyond. Whether it's about how they sust...
Feb 05, 2019•59 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', founder and owner of emerging cosmetics brand 'Eves Lashes' (@eveslashes_), Hawa Arero, takes us through a journey of creating a lane for herself and others around her. As a black muslim woman, she understood how important it was for her to not only provide high quality affordable cosmetic products for women like her, but more importantly showing consumers a more diverse look at what beauty can be. Whether it's about how she went against the corporate grai...
Jan 29, 2019•40 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', we're back again with the 2nd #ListenerAppreciationWeek episode. This episode is a chance for us to connect with YOU the listener but more importantly, giving our listeners the platform to drive topics, promote their projects and have great conversation around what’s important to them. For The Listener By The Listener This weeks guest is loyal listener & culture cultivator, @theishyu. Make sure to tune in and show some love to a listener who's always o...
Jan 22, 2019•49 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', women's rights advocate, equal pay champion, and community builder, Sage Quiamno (@sageq), Co-Founder of 'Future For Us' (@futureforus.now), share's her journey of unleashing the greatness that is, women of color. From her early upbringing as a native Hawaiian, being influenced by her grandmothers fight for equal pay in the 1940's, she brought her teachings into the modern day to help all women of color earn what's rightfully theirs. Whether it was about h...
Jan 17, 2019•57 min
In this episode of ‘The UpNUp Podcast’ kicking off 2019, ultra-creative and ultra-focused artist ‘Nu Davinci’ (@nudavinci206) gives us an inside look at what it means to re-invent yourself for the “level up”. From treading the successful “hoop dreams” path to having to face the music due to injury, little did he know it was the music that was waiting to face him all along. Whether it’s all about his consistency in music/video releases, the right way to network as an up and coming artist, startin...
Jan 08, 2019•1 hr 9 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', musical curator of culture Bobby Akinboro aka DJ Blast (@ogblast)takes us all on a journey of a true commitment to progress/elevation. From starting his own media company 'Blastography' at age 16, which eventually led him to turn his tables around using the same tables that turn the crowds up, the process was never cheated. Whether it was how he got his first big break DJ'ing for Pitbull or tending to his African roots and working with Wale along with othe...
Dec 27, 2018•50 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', world renowned hip-hop artist, Essam Muhammad, takes us on a journey from early childhood trauma, to sourcing that same trauma to grace stages across the world positively uplifting crowds through art/expression. From the humble beginnings of being raised by a single mother who's battling illnesses, witnessing violence in his neighborhood, all the while trying to find his lane, it was the microphone that gave him the guiding light he needed. Whether it's ab...
Dec 11, 2018•55 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Co-Founder of pre-automotive, beginning-to-end car shopping solution 'PREA'(www.prea.io), Denise Aguilar, shares a story of a roller-coaster journey ending up in her becoming a female power player in the automotive industry. Her early upbringing on the East Coast, dealing with trying to find her niche professionally, all the while fighting the resistance/intersectionality of being Afro-Latina made for one helluva success path. Whether it was moving to Seat...
Dec 05, 2018•47 min
In this episode of ‘The UpNUp Podcast’, Tacoma native and jack of all trades Isaiah Jimenez discusses his journey to becoming the ultimate conduit for creatives and culture within his city and beyond. He shares his role in putting together the ‘Building Men Program’, focused on empowering 3rd-5th grade boys at numerous elementary schools in the city with the tools they need to thrive on their road ahead. Through coordinating countless events for the culture to be able to embrace one another, as ...
Nov 27, 2018•1 hr 20 min
In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', change agent and community leader, Wyking Garrett, discusses the rich history of Africa within the city of Seattle and how AfricaTown (@africatownsea) is now our job to build. We discuss his early upbringing being amongst black leaders in the city on the front lines, as well as his grandfather's co-founding of 'Liberty Bank' in 1968, as the first ever black owned bank west of the Mississippi here in Seattle's Central District. Wyking has worked hard throug...
Nov 20, 2018•56 min
