Opening Presence with Aaron Robinson

In today’s episode I sit down with Yoseph Ukbazghi. He is a mechanical engineer, entrepreneur and co-founder of Simple X an event series that empowers individuals and organizations by creating space for collaboration, sharing stories of leaders & entrepreneurs and bridging the gap between black professionals & the corporate sector. In this conversation we discuss Yoseph’s life growing up in Sioux Falls South Dakota as the son of a Pastor and how that has shaped his life and the opportunities he hopes to create for others. If you enjoy this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!

Contact:

www.simplexmixer.com

IG: @yosephukbazghi

In today’s episode I Open Presence with Ben Seale. He is the owner of Focus Group - a vintage clothing store located at 3409 SE Hawthorne blvd in Portland, OR. In this conversation we discuss Ben’s style curation and trend forecasting - a skill he’s developed over time while searching high and low for clothing that resonates with his customers who ultimately become his friends like myself. If you enjoy this episode, make sure to share it with a friend.

contact

IG: @focusgroupshop

Address. 3409 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland,OR 

In today’s episode I sit down with Christian Burke also known as Cremebrullee. He is musician, stand up comedian and someone who I believe is the heartbeat of the Artist Revolution happening in Portland. Through a fearless commitment to positivity & self expression, Cremebrulee  drops major wisdom that penetrates every physical or cognitive barrier that stands between us. If you enjoy this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!

contact: 

IG: @cremebruleepdx

Music: www.soundcloud.com/cremebruleepdx

In todays episode of Opening Presence I sit down with Shain brenden . He is a comedian, writer and actor. For this conversation we met up at Columbia park (Portland's #1) and rapped about a wide range of topics including 2 of my favorite things... filipino food and chicken wings, we also discovered that we both were born in San Diego and naturally we needed to vent about some of our more awkward encounters with white folks in Portland.  If you enjoy this episode, make sure to share it with a friend.

Contact info: IG: @shainbrenden

www.shainbrenden.com

To kick off season 2 of Opening Presence, I sit down with Jonathan Riley the Founder of Better Marketing and Herbert Beauclere Creative Director of Pensole Footwear Academy and Co- Founder of Sneakerweek PDX.  In this conversation we discuss their journey into the sneaker industry and the moment they chose to empower themselves and their community over serving corporations. Something I learned from this conversation was the importance of having core values and integrity because those are the things that will support you from within when you are faced in making a difficult decision or simply navigating life.  If you enjoy this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!

contact information:

Jonathan Riley IG: @jonathanxriley

website: www.bettermktg.co

Herbert Beauclere IG: @beauclere

website: www.sneakerweekpdx.com

In today's episode I sit down with Brett Brown. He is a 3D designer at Nike. When he's not designing the future of footwear you can find him shooting photos in the street or in his portrait studio. In this conversation we discuss his journey into design, what it's like to have a "white sounding" name and race in the workplace.  I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and look forward to creating more inclusive spaces with leaders like Brett.  If you enjoy this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!

Breaking News: Brett is partnering with PDX Black Excellence for SNEAKER WEEK 2020 (event schedule can be found at www.sneakerweek.com)

Contact:

www.brettbrowndesign.com

IG: @solid_lion

In today’s episode of Opening Presence I sit down down with Chris Miller. He is a 5 elements Acupuncturist and Owner of Portland Wellness Collective. I have been seeing Chris for treatments for just over a year now and I  am consistently amazed by the ways he can tune into my energy field then apply healing based on my individual needs . In this conversation we discuss the importance of taking accountability for our own energy so that we can engage honestly with our spiritual development. If you enjoy this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!

Chris Miller

Contact: www.portlandwellnesscollective.com

Instagram: @miller_acupuncture / @portlandwellnesscollective

In this run and gun episode of Opening Presence I catch up with Charley Zheng in Portland's very own Laurelhurst Park. Charley is a brand strategist, writer, photographer, and world traveler. She is always game to explore the deepest topics and asks the most thought provoking questions. In this conversation we discuss relationships in all facets of life. The relationship we have with the times and how we navigate letting go of the identities we've built up to this point.. We also explore romantic relationships and how they inevitably set off all of our triggers to help us grow. Walking through a variety of subjects in this realm of reflection -   something that becomes abundantly clear is that absolutely EVERYTHING is a relationship. 

If you enjoy this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!

Contact:

www.charleyzheng.com

Instagram: @charleyzheng

Rob-O is the Owner and Creative Director of Roots N Rooftops. A menswear brand dedicated to building high quality sustainable goods from the ground up.  In this very special and extremely rare episode of Opening Presence - we go behind the scenes and into the creative process of the Roots N Rooftops 2020 debut called 'The Windup Collection' inspired by the 100 year Legacy of Negro League Baseball.

Before the first pitch, we take a trip down memory lane where it all started on the East Coast. Immersing himself in the culture, Rob-O developed his illustration & design skills which created opportunities for him in the fashion industry at iconic brands Ecko Unlimited and Roca Wear. Rob-O then moved to Portland, OR to take on the sportswear industry.  As he evolved beyond the big brand ethos of "Chasing cool", Rob-O decided to branch out and doing his own thing. This is his story. Play Ball!

If you enjoy this episode, make sure to share it with a friend.

Website and contact info:

www.rootsnrooftops.com

Instagram @rootsnrooftops