Creators Lunch

In 2026, what’s actually winning? Yo, things are shifting underneath all of us. The world is moving faster than our ability to make sense of it 🤦🏻‍♂️ AI rewriting industries overnight, information splintering into a thousand contradictory feeds…and somewhere in the middle of all that noise, I keep coming back to the same conclusion: The only thing that actually holds is people choosing to show up for each other. What started as a conversation became a function. The shoot date for @flightclub ’s Friends & Family series. which I’m appearing on, happened to fall on Lunar New Year 🧧, so we made it count. We purchased pastries from Double @doublecrispybakery a Chinatown institution, always finding a reason to support a local business in the process. Some of y’all waited hours 😲 just to check in and mark the moment together. The algorithm may have served you the announcement, but the fact that you showed up? That can’t be duplicated…at least not yet 🙏🏼 As I navigate this landscape like everyone else, I’m hopeful that community, and the moments we build inside it, will only become more cherished. Looking forward to more conversations, shared meals, and check ins with people around the world this year. Sincerely grateful, always, for y’all pulling up. Aight, peace and blessings 🤜🏼🤛🏼​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

What’s one ☝🏼 thing that would move your life forward if you committed to it daily for 30 days? Yo, nobody sees the boring days. The posts that don’t pop off. The runs when your legs feel heavy. But that’s usually where the shift happens 🏃🏻‍♂️💨 Aristotle said excellence is built through repetition. Confucius said speed doesn’t matter…stopping does. The Stoics believed resistance is the training ground. Different centuries, same conclusion: Got to put in the reps, B 😤 So I’m partnering with @stanforcreators for Dare to Post. A 30-day consistency challenge running February 17 to March 18. Here’s how it works: • Go to my link in bio and click: Date to Post Submission • The challenge starts tomorrow, February 17th, and you need to be in the community and posting from day one to qualify • Post one new Reel (at least 10 sec) or carousel (min 4 slides) every day for 30 days on Instagram • Tag every post #StanDareToPost. Post from one account only • Join the free Dare to Post community through the link in my bio • And trial Stanley Coach, which you get 14 days free Complete all 30 days and you earn a share of the $100,000 prize pool. But honestly, the money isn’t the point. The structure is. Thirty days of showing up rewires something. Whether you’re building a brand, trying to write more, cook more, think clearer…consistency always compounds. Aight, peace and blessings 🤜🏼🤛🏼 Full terms and conditions can be found here: https://shorturl.at/a1MXp

Yo, thanks for reaching out @whereintheworldistommysandiego 🤜🏼🤛🏼 What I’ve realized is that access to information has never been easier. From Googling/AskJeeves/Yahoo everything years ago, to falling into Wikipedia rabbit holes, to now getting clean summaries from AI tools…it’s all raised the floor. But none of it really works unless you know what to ask. The tools can give you information, but they can’t give you judgment or nuance on their own 🤔 And that part still comes from reading a lot, talking to many people, and actually sharing a meal, listening, paying attention. Tech helps, but at the end of the day, it still comes down to books and conversations 😁 Aight, peace and blessings 🙏🏼

Yo, some days are loud, most days are just today. You still did it, B! 🤜🏼🤛🏼 Aight, peace and blessings 🙏🏼 Shout out to Mr. Kim and @jimmysbarbershops in Flushing, Queens 🌐 Third Cultures pilot is on YouTube now. Check it out via📍link in bio.

Yo, first time in Marrakech, Morocco 🇲🇦 1/23 - 1/27, then ~3 days in the desert. While I’m in the City, I’d love to meet interesting, diverse folks. Open to learning from anyone willing to link 🤜🏼🤛🏼 Appreciate the love! Peace and blessings 🙏🏼

How long have you been sitting on the idea? 💭 Yo, at some point, scrolling and critiquing has to turn into action. Progress doesn’t show up polished. It shows up through reps, awkward starts, and being okay looking unfinished for a while 💭 That’s why I teamed up with @stanforcreators on the Dare to Dream Challenge. To enter, you’ll submit one video explaining what you’re building by following the instructions via the📍link in my bio. Please note: To submit, you do need to join Stan. It comes with a 14-day free trial, and you can cancel anytime if it’s not for you. There’s a chance to win $100,000, or one of five $10,000 runner-up prizes. Win or lose, momentum starts by showing up. If you’re going for it, tag #JaekiDaretoDream26 #StanPartner #StanDaretoDream26 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. For full Official Rules, visit daretodream.stan.store/officialrules

How does learning usually feel at first? 💭 Yo, a lot of the lessons I’ve picked up over the years came from embarrassing moments in hindsight. A lot of mistakes. A lot of mid attempts. A lot of moments where I wanted to crawl under a rock and never come out 😭 I’m grateful for the partners, mentors, employers, and employees who worked with me with grace, taught me along the way, and gave me chances to grow. I’m always thankful for the shots I got to take and the steps I was able to take. Still learning. In fact, I already know I’ll look back at these videos a year or two from now and cringe. But that’s part of the process, nah’mean? Aight. Peace and blessings 🤜🏼🤛🏼

What actually lasts? 🤔 Yo, I’m always grateful 🙏🏼 These boxes stack up sometimes…not because I don’t care, but because I often overthink about how to show love the right way 🥲 Big ups to the brands, agencies, partners, friends, and folks who trust me with their time, energy, or resources. Whether it’s paid work, support, or just belief, I don’t take any of it lightly. I’ve learned…being a “creator” is no different than any other work. It’s interaction between humans. If there’s respect, it flows. If it doesn’t click, that’s okay, too. Sometimes you’re just speaking different languages. Appreciate everyone who keeps showing love. I’ll keep trying to return it. Aight, peace and blessings. Happy new year 🤜🏼🤛🏼

How do you usually move? 💭 Yo, here’s another reminder I’m carrying into 2026…I’m trying to prepare properly without spiraling, and then show up with confidence when it’s time to act. Not blind optimism, just doing the work early so I can move forward without hesitation. 🧘🏻‍♂️ Sharing this as much for myself as for anyone else who might need it. Aight, happy new year. Peace and blessings 🤜🏼🤛🏼

First thing after waking up? 🥱 Yo, they’re fighting for your attention. Every notification, headline, rage-bait clip, voluptuous scantily-clad AI-generated imageries…the goal isn’t to provide information. It’s to take your time. I know this well because I’m on these platforms making content, too. Sure, social media can distract, but it can also connect, uplift, amplify voices, and help small businesses survive. Both things are true. That’s why boundaries matter, nah’mean? 🤜🏼🤛🏼 So don’t let your phone be the first voice you hear in the morning. And don’t let it be the last thing you see at night. Let’s wake up human and go to sleep human. The internet will still be there. Aight, what habit are you trying to break this year? Let me know in the comments 👇🏼

What does it take to turn social media into real-life community? 🤔 Yo, Friday night at @katzsdeli was a celebration of friends @newyorknico and @naomiotsu 🙏🏼 In addition to their beautiful union, for me…it also felt like a reminder of something bigger. That when social media’s used with purpose, it can actually bring people together. Not just in comments or DMs, but in real rooms. Around tables. Breaking bread (or corned beef, pastrami, and roast beef 😅). Sharing laughs. Living life. 🫂 Some folks in that room? I’ve known since before Instagram was even a thing (much love to @sooyoung and @sodawaterpapi ). Others? We met online, built something over time, and now they’re real-life people I trust. I’m not saying this wedding was the blueprint for all that…but it was a reflection. A moment that reaffirmed me: Social media isn’t just noise, likes, or chasing the algorithm. If used with intention—to support, to collaborate, to genuinely show up—it can create something meaningful. Something that lasts beyond the screen. 🤜🏼🤛🏼 Big love to the newlyweds. 👰🏻‍♀️🤵🏼‍♂️ And to everyone out there using these apps to make our cities—and communities—a little better. 🙏🏼

$850,000 gone… because of an AI Brad Pitt😳
When I saw this headline, it was obviously clickbait but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it’s just a preview of what’s to come. We’re at the dawn of AI-generated content being everywhere. I haven’t used the workflow yet, but I can imagine an entirely automated world of horoscopes and AI-generated industry news. And it’s at the beginning of this efficient chaos that I think people will increasingly crave more authenticity, imperfection, and real moments than ever. The younger generations, the “digital natives,” already get this, but I think this shift will spread across all of society soon. More people tuning into the mundane, more people willing to meet in person for human imperfection and touch. Do you agree? #Deepfake #AI #Authenticity