Social Studies Show: Episode 04- Tony Weaver Jr.

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Social Studies show! Today, we are thrilled to introduce our special guest, Fred Sands IV, an exceptionally talented Art Director and Graphic Designer hailing from the vibrant city of New York. Fred Sands, IV has an impressive background, having served as the Design & Production Coordinator at PAPER Magazine, where he honed his creative skills to perfection. But Fred's creative journey doesn't stop there. His personal work is deeply rooted in nostalgia and culture, and his primary objective is to craft designs that seamlessly blend innovation with a sense of familiarity. With a remarkable decade of experience in the fields of freelance artistry and graphic design within the production and media industry, Fred boasts an impressive clientele that includes big names like Netflix, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Allyson Felix, MTV, Issa Rae Productions, SKYY® Vodka, and many more. His work isn't just about aesthetics; it's about pushing boundaries, revolutionizing digital storytelling, and forging partnerships with brands that aim to establish a groundbreaking voice through design. Fred Sands, IV's creative prowess has not gone unnoticed. He's a recipient of the Muse Creative Awards in 2021, winning the prestigious Best Magazine Cover Series in Advertising for his outstanding work. Additionally, he clinched the Platinum Winner title for his exceptional art direction and design in PAPER's Black History Month Covers, featuring prominent figures like Lena Waithe and the casts of Boomerang and Twenties on BET. So, get ready to dive deep into the world of art, design, and creativity as we explore the innovative and inspiring journey of Fred Sands, IV, on today's episode of the Social Studies show. WWW.SOCIALSTUDIESSHOW.COM SEE FRED'S WORK AT - http://ivourth.com/home

In this episode, we're thrilled to introduce you to Reggie Casagrande, an integrated marketing powerhouse whose expertise in brand development, strategy, and digital communications is nothing short of awe-inspiring. With over a decade of experience under her belt, Reggie has carved a unique path in the industry, leaving an indelible mark on culture, entertainment, and sports marketing.

What sets Reggie apart is her incredible ability to breathe life into brands, effortlessly connecting them to the very essence of society. Her journey was sparked by a peripatetic childhood, growing up as a third culture kid in different corners of the world. This upbringing ignited her passion for cultural marketing, and she's been on a relentless mission ever since.

Step into the early 2000s streets of NYC, where Reggie's professional odyssey began as a streetwear photographer and art director. Her lens captured the pulse of youth culture, and her collaborations with athletes and hip-hop artists laid the foundation for her exceptional journey. This pivotal experience nurtured her affinity for blending the dynamic worlds of youth culture, sports, and street style, creating a harmonious symphony that resonates with millions.

But that's not all – Reggie's trailblazing efforts extend beyond the realm of imagination. She's been the driving force behind groundbreaking marketing programs, activating athletes and perfecting the digital activation model. Her portfolio boasts an impressive roster of industry giants, including Oakley, Nike, Adidas, Converse, Pepsi, McDonald's, Reebok, Blue Bottle, Electronic Arts, and Maserati.

Prepare to be inspired as Reggie Casagrande takes us on a journey through her exceptional career, unveiling the secrets behind her unparalleled success in bridging brands and culture. From her roots as a streetwear maven to her current role as a cultural marketing luminary, Reggie's story is one of relentless determination, innovation, and a deep-rooted connection to the heartbeat of society.

Stay tuned for an episode filled with insights, anecdotes, and a masterclass in integrated marketing wizardry. Join us on The Social Studies Show as we celebrate Reggie Casagrande's extraordinary contributions and delve into the dynamic world of cult

ure, strategy, and brand brilliance.

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On this episode of the Social Studies Show we have AMY V. Cooper. Amy is a photography consultant, creative business mentor, marketing strategist, thought partner, and mindset coach with over 25 years of experience in the photography industry. She has worked as a photographer agent, advertising agency art buyer, and entertainment & magazine photo editor. Amy has hired photographers to shoot campaigns for companies like UPS, Microsoft, and Coca-Cola. She’s represented and created winning bids for artists with brands like Mary Kay, Netflix and Disney. She specializes in supporting artists to develop portfolios, branding, client lists, marketing and mindset strategies that honor their authentic creative journey. Amy is also certified in hypnosis and EFT tapping. She is a top rated teacher on Udemy and the InsightTimer app, and a contributor to the A Photo Editor blog and Ask Stern Rep.

On this episode of the Social Studies Show we have Samira Jackson - Account Executive at Art Machine in Hollywood, - Samira has made her way through the ranks working on award winning campaigns Like BlackKKKLansman with Gravillis and taking insights from Spike Lee. 

On her rise in the entertainment industry she navigated the career path at Leroy and Rose, Cold Open and Ignition. Positivity and culture are prominent themes of her personality whether she is traveling abroad or mentoring the next generation. 

Samira’s episode is a deep dive of her navigation of the entertainment industry as a successful Black woman.  She moves with intent to create dynamic work, fostering meaningful relationships while constantly examining her non linear path to career growth in hopes of making the journey easier for those who follow in her footsteps. 

On this episode of the Social Studies Show we have Toby Kaufmann - The Creative Director of the Facebook App. She is also the Creative Director of Pur·suit, a digital archive and deck of playing cards re-imagining Catherine Opie’s seminal work from the 90’s, in collaboration with artist Naima Green. In 2020, she curated a show of Naima’s work at Fotografiska in NYC. Before she moved west for Facebook, Toby was the Executive Director of Photography for Refinery29 where she led the brand's photographic vision and expanded video storytelling. She also served as Vice President of The Society of Publication Designers, and co-chaired SPD Gala 53. She consults for Parsons The New School for Design and her work has been recognized by The Webby Awards, American Photography, Photo District News, American Society of Magazine Editors, and SPD. Toby has a BFA in Photography from Parsons.   http://www.tobykaufmann.com/

SANJA KOMLJENOVIC Founder & CEO of ONA CREATIVE began her career in digital marketing with the Los Angeles Clippers and was recruited by Nike.The day after leaving Nike, they hired her as a contractor. This “accidentally” led to more collaborative work and the launch of her creative agency, ONA, developed with a focus on initiatives that move the world forward in women’s rights, sports, culture, and social good. Fast forward 7 years, and ONA has worked on purpose-driven campaigns with household names like NIKE, NWSL, Olympics, Clif Bar, Foot Locker, Nordstrom, Facebook/Meta, and the New York Marathon – as well as women-driven startups including Willow, Bev, Lettuce Grow, Black Girl Ventures and Milk Stork. 

As an Bosnian immigrant that embraced all things in American culture, she provides a unique and nuanced perspective on global advertising and marketing. She now drives trends with thoughtfulness, empathy and a healthy dose of flair so hearing her insights on this episode of the Social Studies Show is must. 

Terence Lester is a storyteller, public scholar, speaker, community activist, and author who is the founder and Executive Director at Love Beyond Walls a nonprofit organization focused on raising poverty and homelessness awareness and community mobilization. He’s known for nationwide campaigns that bring awareness to homelessness, poverty, and economic inequality. His awareness campaigns have been featured on MLK50, CNN, Good Morning America, CNN, Essence Magazine, TEDx, TVONE, Creative Mornings, USA Today, NBC, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) National Magazine, and NBCNews, as well as AJC, Black Enterprise, Rolling Out, and Upworthy. These campaigns have been viewed by millions of people worldwide. Three ideals drive Terence: (1) anyone can make a difference, (2) we don’t live forever, (3) and it’s worth dedicating one’s life to making sure no one feels invisible. In 2016, Terence led the March against Poverty 2016, where he walked from Atlanta, GA, (the SCLC Headquarters) to the White House (over 800 miles) to bring attention to homelessness in the U.S. Terence led the 2018 March against Poverty as he walked from Atlanta to Memphis (386 miles). He finished the march and spoke at the historic Lorraine Motel for the 50th anniversary of MLK’s assassination. In 2019, Terence opened Dignity Museum, the first museum in the U.S. to represent the homeless—out of a shipping container. Terence has delivered countless sermons and speeches at conferences, churches, schools, corporate settings, classrooms, and several unique spaces, including the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial in Washington, DC, the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Center for Civil and Human Rights, CCDA, Radio One’s Praise in the Park, Morehouse College, Alabama University, and Paine College. He has spoken on the same platform as many other civil rights activists, such as Dr. Bernice King, Roland Martin, Gina Belafonte, Dr. Vonnetta West, Carlos Rodriguez, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, and Tamika D. Mallory. Terence’s personal approach combines storytelling and digital media to help illustrate social justice issues with practical strategies to solving these ailments. He holds an associate degree in Media Production (2005), a B.A. in Pastoral Leadership (2008), a Master of Education in Counseling (2010), a Master of Arts in Theological Studies (2012). He is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at Union Institute and University with a concentration in Public Policy and Social Change. He has served on several ministerial staffs and has authored seven books and three traditionally published works including: I See You: How Love Opens Our Eyes to Invisible People, When We Stand: The Power of Seeking Justice Together, and his forthcoming book, All God’s Children: How Confronting Buried History Can Build Racial Solidarity, all with InterVarsity Press. He also has a children’s book coming out with IVP Kids that he co-authored with his fourteen-year- old daughter, Zion Lester, which deals with homelessness, belonging, inclusion, and encouraging children to serve others with empathy and compassion. Terence has also received numerous awards for his community activism, including: being named one of Atlanta’s top 500 leaders by Atlanta Magazine, being named one of Coca-Cola’s History Shakers, receiving the National Urban League Humanitarian Award, Brawny Giant’ Award, the American Express NextGen Award, the SCLC Social Advocacy Award, Atlanta Voice’s 50 under 50, the True to Atlanta Award presented by the Atlanta Hawks, Fulton County Schools Service Award, and Plywood People’s Innovator Award. Terence happily married to his best friend, Cecilia Lester, and they have two amazing children, Zion Joy and Terence II.

As Winter approaches we have an appropriate guest to discuss winter fashion  and diversity in the marketplace. For this episode of the Social Studies Show we have Eric Tung CEO of Fera Ski Brand.  A minority owned, female founded, LGBTQ+ led apparel company that is extremely rare in the outdoor space.   Sharing a love of fashion and winter sports Eric and I developed a friendship as we are both on Snowsport Industry of America’s Board of Directors. Working through DEI and profitability Eric often finds himself in the drivers’ seat —   ushering in change not just in his company but in his community. Today we  will discuss How a southern california company, with Asian roots from  Hong Kong manifests passion with intention to help usher in a more diverse outdoor industry. 

Eric goes in depth about the power of the Asian market and the value of diverse athletes like Eileen Gu on commerce. We discussed how he is implementing DEI practices not only at work but at home and how his peers in the finance world taught him the value of his network in the creative field.