Solid Grounds

From the moment I first attended @blackjoyparade , I knew I wanted to be part of it. I wrote it on my goals list… and here we are — our first Black Joy Parade in the books. 🖤✨ I had the honor of curating this space alongside the powerful @1800happybirthday project — creating a soft landing where joy and grief could coexist. Inside the village: 🌳 Community tree altar by @shreya360 📸 Portrait popup by @rough_thesis capturing Black joy in real time 🎶 @theeefibonacci keeping the energy moving ⚖️ @yourrightscamp (led by Colin Kaepernick) + @benandjerrys free heavenly birthday scoops + resource sharing 🧘🏽‍♀️ Reset Lounge with @breathandthecity x @touchstoneclimbing (guided meditation, headphones, eye masks, exhale moment) ☕ @soulblendscoffee keeping folks warm and grounded ☎️ The phone booth exhibit at the center — birthday messages to loved ones lost to police brutality -mental health practitioners @soulfulprompts @safewithshanique onsite to offer support and care 120,000+ people outside. A moment to breathe inside. Because joy isn’t the absence of grief — it’s what we build around it. Huge thank you to @mohammad.earth and @bjmcbride23 for trusting me to help uplift this work. And @gro24ss — instrumental to this project & my partner in creating the magic. Together… yeah, we ate that up. 💅🏽 Deep gratitude to @theelowkeyp , EP of Black Joy Parade — her trust and guidance helped me stretch my skills and think bigger about what’s possible. Wildest part? our team pulled this off in under 3 weeks — through pivots, weather scares, and a freezing 12-hour build. This work is not for the weak… but it is for those called to purpose. First BJP down. Honored to have produced my second activation with 1-800-HAPPY BIRTHDAY. ✨ One more Oakland exhibit stop at the Black Panther Party Museum 📍 On view through Feb 28 — don’t miss it. #BlackJoyParade #HealingVillage #1800HappyBirthday #bayarea #eventproducer

This project is one for the books. There was so much love, intention, and care that went into making the opening reception of Happy Heavenly Birthday, Oscar Grant so special and I'm honored to have been brought in to lead the event design and production. Thank you to the amazing artist @mohammad.earth , @bjmcbride23 and team who brought the 1-800 Happy Birthday Project to life. It's been a joy to work with ya'll and my creative spirit is being nourished all month with what's up ahead. Oscar Grant could have been my brother-- this February makes 5 years since my brother Naz was taken from us too soon. Their birthdays were a month apart. Oscar would have been 40. My brother would have been turning 30. I was planning a birthday party that I knew both would be proud of...in The heart of The Black Panther Party Museum... in Oakland, CA.. on the first day of Black History Month! I got to include so many of our local Black vendors & creatives to contribute to such beautiful vibes. How monumental is that? The ancestors.. (and lots of trust from the team) were ever present in guiding this project to fruition! This exhibit is a reminder that you can still be present in the experience of joy while holding space for the heaviness of the grief we carry. As Black people, we do that through gathering in community, laughing, dancing, and celebration of life. I wanted every element of this space to give that feeling... plus a little luxury... and I'm so proud of what we created! ...and there's more to come! See you at Black Joy Parade 💗 Happy Heavenly Birthday Oscar is on view #blackpantherpartymuseum in Oakland through February 28. Wednesday - Saturday, 10am - 3pm. Artist: @mohammad.earth Curator: @bjmcbride23 Exhibition Design: @freeasnow Art Direction and Design: @diy_j Install: @freeasnow , @atj.studio , @ivandnav Event Production & Design: @solidgroundsco , @gro24ss , @taylorlynn_n Portraits: @rough_thesis Host: @karegabailey Music Performance: @vadiahubb DJ: @sake1derful Food: @town_fare , @chefmichelle Drinks: @goldpalmoakland florals: @rhythmnbloomsfloral cake: @goddessnoircakes Created in collaboration by @worthlessstudios , @evenodd.studio , @campaignzero

SWIPE ➡️ THE CAROUSEL FOR INFO:This year I stepped into a new role at Touchstone Climbing, supporting 17 gyms across California as their community outreach manager. At the same time, Solid Grounds—my community-rooted events company—has been expanding into a full ecosystem connecting arts, wellness, and economic empowerment. Through Solid Grounds, I’ve cultivated a powerful network of BIPOC creatives, professionals, and entrepreneurs. And in this new chapter, I’ve been able to bridge that network with Touchstone’s mission, creatively expanding climbing access while continuing to produce immersive experiences and programs that support our communities. From @chef_tirzah_love and I hosting our largest @soulbox_supperclub yet to launching Art Club with @narratves , producing vendor markets across CA & internationally, managing 4 clients' social medias, and activating wellness events like Brain Break with @breathandthecity and Black People Pole Jam with @staygoodgood @the_queen_movement @zahzahsyinden , this year has already been full of growth and gratitude. Here’s a look at what I’ve been building—and how you can support or collaborate for the second half of the year. 📌 Sponsor the remaining Art Clubs for the year (with tools like creative suite, leading workshops, sponsoring a pitch competition, etc) 📌 Bring a Brain Break activation to your next festival, conference, or retreat 📌 Fund a Soul Box Supper Club dining experience in a new city, let us host a VIP activation, or find us an opportunity at Art Basel 📌 Hire us to curate vendor markets or brand activations onsite at your campus or headquarters 📌 Tap in for opportunities to bring climbing and wellness access to vulnerable youth & families If you ever get asked, “Who can curate something creative, healing, or culture-forward?” Please say my name. 🙏🏾 #SolidGrounds #Community #work #blackbusinessowner #blackgirlmagic #foodies #bayarea #BlackCreatives #update #opportunities #SoulBoxSupperClub #ArtClub #BrainBreak #BayAreaEvents #breathwork #polefitness #climbingaccess #broccolicity #investfest #artbasel #afrotech #nbmbaa #shrm #conference #festival #eventcurator #curator #producer #socialmediaexpert

Join us TOMORROW for Black Bather's Day! You don't want to miss! We've got sunshine, saunas, ocean views, your fave djs through sunset, food popups, & good vibes going all day. You can book a time slot for a discounted sauna experience if you hurry, limited spaces available! (private saunas are already booked up!) Or just come for the good energy and sunshine. We'll have games, giveaways by @staygoodgood , matcha and cookies popup by @studioredhifi in the AM and AfroColombian eats by @sukulentasf in the afternoon. There will be a grill going for those that want to bring their own snack! We deserve rest and safe spaces for wellness 💗💗 This collab is powered by @negusinnature @g_o_o_d_h_o_t @staygoodgood @solidgroundsco

YOUR BESTIE CALLED… y’all are going to AFROPOLE 💋✨ Someone paid it forward and purchased 2 tickets for one lucky winner + their bestie to join us for an afternoon of pole play, movement, confidence, good vibes, and community 💕 Winner receives: ✨ 2 FREE tickets to AFROPOLE ✨ A StayGoodGood baddie gift bag ✨ Pole play, bubbly, music, and a good timeee HOW TO ENTER: 👠 Follow @staygoodgood 👠 Tag your bestie 👠 Comment a song that instantly hypes them up All levels welcome — whether you’ve touched a pole before or not 🫶🏾 📍Empress Ouroboros Studios 2904 Laguna St. San Francisco, CA 🗓️ May 24 ⏰ 2–5 PM Giveaway ends 5/15. Winner will be selected at random and notified via DM. Winner will have 48 hours to claim their tickets before a new winner is selected

The Wellness & Culture Market we hosted for @soulblendscoffee this past Saturday was such a success 💗💗 We took over the park across from the cafe with games, community & wellness orgs, & fitness classes throughout the day. At the cafe, @theeefibonacci kept the vibes high while we hosted 20 small businesses to vend and curate experiences like a silent disco music + journaling experience and a build your own aromatherapy station. It was truly a day party full of community and I'm so grateful for all the energy y'all brought! Big thank you to everyone involved 💗💗 see you at the next one!

This weekend was about wellness in every form, from physical wellness, to economic wellness, and even creative freedom, conversation, healing, connection, and utilizing spaces together. 🤲🏾🌞 Even with last-minute obstacles and outside forces attempting to limit how much space we could hold, the community still showed up for one another in a beautiful way. From movement sessions at the community rec center across the street, to local vendors, DJs, organizers, artists, conversations, laughter, and people simply being present with one another, this felt like a perfect reminder that wellness is collective. Wellness is access. Wellness is being seen. Wellness is having room to breathe, create, grow, and exist fully as yourself. ✨🧘🏽‍♀️ To @solidgroundsco , our steadfast team , and every person who participated, collaborated, tabled, taught, served, supported, or simply pulled up with love for celebration 🎉 of our 1 Year as a brick and mortar: thank you for helping us continue building the kind of community we believe Oakland deserves. 🤎☕️ #communityfirst #oakland #wellnessevent #bethechangeyouwanttosee #soulblendscoffeeroasters

…ballots are in your mailboxes family, it’s that time… For the next 22 days, we’re bringing voter education, resources, and real conversations. Get informed. Tap in with your people. Make a plan. Get out and vote. California Primary Election June 2nd. Don’t sleep. #livefree #itsourturn #getoutthevote

🔥💪🏾 TODAY WE PULLED UP TO THE FITNESS MARKET IN WEST OAKLAND 💪🏾🔥 And man… the ENERGY in the building was CRAZY 😤🙌🏾 You had: 🏋🏾 Trainers 🥗 Health & wellness vendors 🌱 Local businesses 🎶 Good music 🤝 Positive people ✨ Amazing community vibes This is the type of environment that reminds you how powerful it is when the COMMUNITY comes together 💯 Because at the end of the day… 👉🏾 supporting local businesses matters When we support local: 💰 Money stays in the community 📈 Businesses grow 🤝 More opportunities get created 🌱 More people get inspired to build That’s how real communities become STRONGER 💪🏾 And let’s talk about networking for a second 👀 Sometimes the connection you need: 👉🏾 for your business 👉🏾 for your health journey 👉🏾 for your next opportunity …is sitting right across from you at events like this 💯 That’s why it’s important to get outside, tap in, meet people, and BUILD together 🤝 We need more spaces like this in our community where people can connect, collaborate, and elevate 🔥 Big shoutout to everybody that pulled up and brought positive energy to the space 🙌🏾 Now let’s talk 👇🏾 What’s one LOCAL business in the Bay Area people should support right now?? 👀 Tag them below and let’s show love to our community 💬🔥 ❤️ Like 💬 Comment 🔁 Share 👣 Follow We appreciate y’all tuning in and rocking with us 💯 See y’all in the next video 🙌🏾 #BayAreaBusinesses #SupportLocalBusiness #WestOakland #FitnessMarket #bayareafitness

EVER THOUGHT ABOUT GIVING POLE DANCE FITNESS A TRY? Join us for AFROPOLE 💋✨link in bio! AfroPole is a pop-up pole dance class + pole play experience centering movement, confidence, sensuality, and melanated joy. We're back and headed across the bridge to San Francisco! Whether you’ve touched a pole before or you’re pulling up for your very first time — this space is for you. Expect: ✧ Mini stretch session ✧ Beginner-friendly pole + trick demos by instructors & @queerfemparties fave pole baddies, @opalsoopretty , @polebaetay , & @the_queen_movement ! ✧ Open pole play + free time to vibe ✧ Bubbly + non-alcoholic sips ✧ Giveaways by @staygoodgood + good energy all afternoon Come cute, bring your people, and get ready to move, laugh, and tap into your confidence at Empress Ourobous Studios in San Francisco! 🗓 Sunday, May 24 ⏰ 2PM – 5PM 📍 Empress Ouroboros Studios 2904 Laguna St., San Francisco All levels welcome 🤎 🎟️ Tickets: Sliding scale $10-$15 suggested donation includes drinks & you support our mission of introducing Black & Brown folks to safe, inclusive, & fun spaces to experience pole dance Thank you to our sponsors @empressouroboros studios and @staygoodgood an initiative powered by the SF Dept. of Public Health

Pull up on us! This Saturday @soulblendscoffee & @solidgroundsco are hosting a wellness & culture market to celebrate their 1st birthday as a physical space. Mimosas, coffee, sounds by @theeefibonacci , food, free fitness classes, art & journaling activations, vendors, tooth gems...It's gonna be good vibes, hella community, and lots of small biz to support. #thingstodo #events #townbiz #coffeehouse #community

It’s Oakland Small Business Week… so you already know we had to do it 😏☕️ Pull up to the @soulblendscoffee 1 Year Anniversary Day Party and celebrate what it means to keep a small business alive for 5 years and to go from Lake Merritt Popup to Brick-and-mortar cafe. It's not just a celebration of Soul Blends though. At @solidgroundsco it's always about community. Every sip, every purchase, every moment supports 27 local Black & Brown small businesses that keep the culture alive. 27!!!! Did you know that @soulblendscoffee also shares space with @discover_community_cafe ? Not only are they an evening cafe serving up delicious food, wine and brews, they also are focused on social impact through community. They're joining the party to serve up some mimosas and brews to keep the vibes right throughout the day! RSVP for free with the link in our bio! A signup for free mini workout and yoga classes is also in the link! Don't wait, everything is first come, first serve! See ya this weekend!!!!! ✨ good coffee 🥂 mimosas + brews 🎶 music + vibes 🛍️ hella vendors to shop 📍 3207 Louise St, Oakland 🗓️ May 9 ⏰ 10–3PM #soulblendscoffee #townbiz #SupportBlackBusiness #SupportSmallBusiness