What happens when activism isn’t just part of your story—it is the brand?

In this episode of The 4% Amplified, Sunni explores the transformative power of branding at the intersection of design, legacy, and justice. Through sound, story, and history, we trace how creative expression has long been a force for social change—from Emory Douglas and the Black Panthers to the rainbow flag of the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement.

At the heart of this conversation is our featured guest: Leila Kharem, founder of ⁠KHI Design Group⁠. Leila’s journey is deeply rooted in a lineage of visual storytelling. Her late father, Omar Kharem, was a photographer during the Civil Rights Movement whose images have been featured at The Met, the Museum of Natural History, and the Brooklyn Museum. His legacy lives on through her work—where design is more than visual, it’s a vehicle for memory, resistance, and identity.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

🎙 A brief but powerful history of design as a tool for activism 

🎙 How branding can honor legacy and amplify underrepresented voices 

🎙 The story behind Omar Kharem’s iconic photographs and their influence on Leila’s work 

🎙 What it means to design with purpose in a world still fighting for justice

This isn’t about trendy branding—it’s about truthful branding. Activism doesn’t just influence the aesthetic—it is the foundation.

Connect with Leila Kharem: 

LinkedIn: ⁠Leila Kharem⁠

Website: ⁠khidesigngroup.com⁠ 

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform. And if this episode moved you, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share. Every listen helps amplify the stories that need to be told.