The UpNUp Podcast

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 Lup...

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 th...

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...

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 & cul...

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...

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 h...

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 firs...

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 tryin...

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/int...

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...

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...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', professional/licensed mental health therapist, Ashley McGirt, leads a powerful discussion about her journey toward helping create a more mentally stable/healthy world. She shares stories of how a lack of black representation within therapy existed when she was a child and is what motivated her to change that narrative which still exists today. Whether it's a...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', best friends and business partners, Ariv Adiaman and Kasim Siddiqui, help dispel the stigma around the phrase "Never do business with your friends". From meeting their freshmen year in college, treading a successful corporate climb after college, the need for wanting to build something they could be proud of quickly forced them to leave their careers and lau...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' we are kicking off the first ever #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 &...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' lawyer, educator, activist, and ultra-light beam herself Nikkita Oliver sits down w/ us to share her journey of becoming an empowering force for this generations leaders. From her early experiences witnessing injustices growing up all the way to becoming the first political candidate of the ‘Seattle Peoples Party’ to run for Mayor of Seattle in the 2017 Mayor...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Founder of 'Athletic Form' (@trainathleticform), Robel Woldu, takes us all on a journey of redefining what being "more than an athlete" truly means. Growing up pursing a career in football, and being faced with reality that God had other plans is a tough road for many athletes, but for Robel he shares how he was able to take his competitive drive into the en...

In this episode of ‘The UpNUp Podcast’, Jarv Dee, ‘H1ghr Music Records’ (@h1ghrmusic) artist and member of the infamous ‘Moor Gang’, shares a trying yet fulfilling story of his grind through this thing we call Hip Hop. Being involved with the culture at a young age, through playing music, dancing, and ultimately picking up the mic, Jarv’s grind has seen many peaks and valleys. Hear about how he me...

In this episode of ‘The UpNUp Podcast’, hear all about how Co-Founder of ‘TONL’, Karen Okonkwo & her partner Joshua Kissi, took on the entire Digital/Online photography industry by launching a diversity focused, stock photography company that competitors now have no choice but to pay close attention to. Karen shares her journey of coming into her own as a young woman in business, socialite and adv...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' CEO/Boss-lady of 'SBK Seattle' clothing, Camille Brown, shares the trying yet rewarding journey of how she was able to build her own fashion line from the ground up. Drawing inspiration from top brands/lines such as Cėline, YSL, and Gucci, 'SBK' (aka Sweet Brass Knuckles) was created to provide high-end fashion at an affordable price. Camille's journey has al...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', 'Black Umbrella' music labels very own and Seattle native 'Raz Simone', shares his story of how he has been able to make a name for himself in this thing we call Hip Hop, within his city and across the globe. From only being interested in poetry initially as a teen to developing into a multi-faceted artist, whose music has taken his performances to stages al...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', CEO/Founder of 'Gage Travels', Soffonias Gebrehiwot, shares a story of manifesting an idea to bring the world closer together through travel & understanding. The 'Gage Travels' app aims to help people travel anywhere as if they were a local. A peer-to-peer travel platform that will be able to connect users with locals whom are able to answer questions, educa...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Team USA's very own, Norris Fredrick, takes us on his journey from being told at a very young age that he would just "be another statistic", to representing Team USA in the Olympics as a long jumper. From overcoming the loss of his father during his freshmen year in college, to becoming an 11x NCAA All-American and representing Team USA in the 2012 London Ga...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Safiya Farah, founder of 'Raziaa' shares her journey of empowering the "everyday Muslim woman" through her new Hijab boutique. 'Raziaa' is a an online hijab boutique that aims to provide stylish, modest pieces at affordable prices, for the everyday Muslim woman. Safiya talks about how the name 'Raziaa' comes from her late aunt who passed away in 2016 and how...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', ultra-creative 'Cal Bonner' takes us on an artistic journey through his rise into the art scene/culture. From facing pitfall after pitfall throughout his athletic pursuit, he broke through one of the lowest points of his life and turned to art for refuge. Whether it's about how he opened his own tattoo shop w/ the love of his life/business-partner or being i...

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', 'Miss Casey Carter' gives us a look into her journey of going from selling mix CD's in high school to being one of Seattle's main media outlets/advocates for independent artists, talents, and entrepreneurs. Launching 'The Blow Up' web-platform, as a co-founder she was able to give all up & coming artists a voice and the support the city was lacking. Her new...