First Generation Burden

First Generation Burden

By Rich TuArts
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First Generation Burden episodes

  • 5. 'Leaving Vietnam and 90s Nostalgia' w/ Matt Vu - Designer at Nike Lab

    Matt Vu is a designer at Nike, and a native Oregonian via Vietnam. We talk about how his father left his homeland after the Vietnam War and came to the United States. We discuss a range of topics including streetwear, West vs East, Hip Hop stories, 90s nostalgia, and social justice. We basically cover everything.

    • Check out FirstGenBurden.com for all the episodes
    • Follow us @firstgenburden and Rich Tu / @rich_tu
    • Thanks DesGin for their support
      • 1 hr 18 min
    • 4. 'From Skating in Mexico to Murals All Over the World' w/ Ricardo Gonzalez (aka @ItsALiving) - Artist and Designer

      Born in Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua and raised in Durango, Mexico. Ricardo Gonzalez (aka @ItsALiving) is a graphic designer focused on lettering, typography, calligraphy & typeface design. We talk about his upbringing in Mexico, being a skater, painting murals all over the world, and our mutual disdain for the word "influencer". Also, we get to the bottom of the origin of "ItsALiving".

      • Check out FirstGenBurden.com for all the episodes
      • Follow us @firstgenburden and Rich Tu / @rich_tu
      • Thanks DesGin for their support
        • 56 min
      • 3. 'Designing Pinterest and Granddad the Political Refugee' w/ Juan Carlos Pagan - Creative Director, co-founder of Sunday Afternoon

        Juan Carlos Pagan is a New York based Artist, Designer, and Typographer. Juan has been honored for his work by The Type Directors Club, Communication Arts, ADC, One Show, Cannes Lions, Clios, Fastco, and Print Magazine. He also designed the branding for the ubiquitous social media platform Pinterest. His grandfather was a political refugee in Cuba who fled to Puerto Rico, eventually arriving in New York. We talk about his beginnings and his design process.

        • Check out FirstGenBurden.com for all the episodes
        • Follow us @firstgenburden and Rich Tu / @rich_tu
        • Thanks DesGin for their support
          • 1 hr 1 min
        • 2. 'Working with Nas, and Living a Dream at DefJam' w/ Leslie Rosales - Marketing Director at DefJam

          We speak to Leslie Rosales from the iconic Def Jam. We talk about her beginnings in South Central L.A., being Filipino in a predominantly African-American neighborhood, her start in the music industry, women in Hip Hop, working with Nas, and important causes like #HashtagLunchbag.

          • Check out FirstGenBurden.com for all the episodes
          • Follow us @firstgenburden and Rich Tu / @rich_tu
          • Thanks DesGin for their support
            • 56 min
          • 1. 'Escaping Civil War and getting a PHD' w/ Ahmed Klink - Photographer, co-founder of Sunday Afternoon

            Ahmed Klink is a filmmaker and photographer based in New York City who has photographed Steph Curry, Kendrick Lamar, Kevin Hart, Migos, and Future among others. He was born in Lebanon in in the 80′s where he managed to escape a raging Civil War at age 2. Ahmed found shelter in France, where he grew up and lived for 20 years before moving to the United States of America. We talk about his work, his life, and what he wants to conquer next.

            • Check out FirstGenBurden.com for all the episodes
            • Follow us @firstgenburden and Rich Tu / @rich_tu
            • Thanks DesGin for their support
              • 57 min
            • 22. Sophia Chang "A Niche Culture that Speaks to Me"
              Rich sits down with artist and entrepreneur Sophia Chang. You may know her thru collaborations with Adidas, Infiniti, Stella Mcartney, Puma, and most recently Dr Martins. She also just started her own agency WeAscend and art directs the magazine platform UNDO Ordinary, and which focuses on empowerment thru the lens of health and wellness. Today we talk about her Taiwanese upbringing in Queens, New York, and how her lifelong interests in Hip Hop and Streetwear helped make her the creative force that she is today.
              1 hr 15 min
            • 21. Eugenia Mello, Kelly Shami, Zipeng Zhu "First Generation Conversation" (LIVE)
              First Generation Conversation is a live version of the First Generation Burden Podcast, with creatives who represent a cross-section of the underserved immigrant population in New York and beyond. We discuss the trials and triumphs of these individuals, their methods of breaking past barriers, and what it means to represent yourself and your culture in today’s creative industry. Our inspiring panelists include illustrator and designer Eugenia Mello from Argentina, artist and jewelry designer Kelly Shami from New York City, and multidisciplinary designer/art director Zipeng Zhu from China. Produced by AIGA NY, and recorded at Purpose in New York City. Hosted by Rich Tu.
              1 hr 31 min
            • 20. Sandie Cheng "Smashing Bamboo Ceilings" (with Now in Color)
              Today is a special collaborative episode with the Now In Color podcast and Sandie Cheng. In honor of Veterans Day, Sandie tells the story of the forgotten Chinese-American soldiers who fought in the Civil War, focusing specifically on Joseph Pierce. We also discuss Sandie's Chinese and Taiwanese upbringing, how she personally identifies, the affirmative action lawsuit against Harvard, and the differences between Ken Jeong and Awkwafina.
              1 hr 36 min
            • 19. Ty Turner "The Importance of Presentation"
              Ty Turner is a wardrobe stylist for TV and entertainment, having worked with MTV, BET, and Jordan Brand and on shows like Wild N Out, TRL, 106 and Park, 50 Central. We get into her family’s origins in Ghana and West Africa, and what it was like growing up in Brooklyn, as well as her new project ENVSN FEST, a new festival geared towards young female empowerment. We also talk about how she initially broke into the entertainment business through the music industry, her love of fashion, and how important is it to be yourself in an industry driven by perception.
              1 hr 15 min
            • 18. Derek Roberts "There's a Lack of Humanity Sometimes"
              We talk to Derek Roberts, a designer and art director currently living in England. His family came to the UK from the Caribbean by way of St Vincent and Barbados. We talk about his early days in England and how he got his start in the product and apparel world by taking creative risks. This eventually got him a job in Ohio, at Abercrombie and Fitch, which led his dream job at Nike. And we also get into how he connected with the classic American brand Pendleton where he got to work with the Marvel and Star Wars brands.
              1 hr 21 min

            About First Generation Burden

            From the publisher's feed

            *Webby Award Honoree* First Generation Burden was created in 2016 and focuses on the intersection of immigrants and the creative community. We celebrate the unique and diverse immigrant population in America through longform interviews. Basically, it’s just a bunch of fun conversations with good people. Hosted by Rich Tu.