Looking Back, Moving Forward

People started reaching out yesterday, to congratulate me on my 9-year anniversary of Rupture Studio. I hadn't really thought about it. I’m always looking forward to create what's next. Looking back isn’t something I’m accustomed to. In this instance, I have to reflect on the village of people who I’ve been inspired by, learned from, and exchanged ideas with, to get me where I am today. It has been a wild bumpy ass ride, but that is the business and the life of entrepreneur.

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Darryl 'DC' Cobbin , the work you created at Sprite was groundbreaking. It cracked my skull and gave me something to aspire to all those years ago. You brought Hip-Hop to life in vivid form at a time when clients were scared of this art form, Black men and the community that it derived from. I saw myself in your work. They say be careful meeting your heroes, but sitting down with you when we moved down to Atlanta was everything.

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Anne Simmons, thank you for opening the door and giving me my shot. You molded me through the fire, taught me work ethic and what it took to compete in the boardroom. You provided my foundation for my career, that I still stand on today. You are one of the most intelligent, and driven business leaders I have ever known. I am forever grateful for your guidance and example.

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Thank you to the Def Jam Crew. Kevin Liles , Robert Love , and Mike Taylor, before anyone talked about culture, or The Culture, you all were living breathing examples of it. The most valuable lessons I learned about branding and staying connected to the energy from the street came through you.

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I want to shout at one of my first clients Stephanie Debartolomeo , for allowing me the freedom to experiement and fuse branding, infuencer marketing, music, fashion, events and culture to make Courvoisier pop. We were doing 'culture marketing' when it was at its nascent stage. We made it happen and we made history.

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I want to thank The Naked Crew - Paul Woolmington , MT Carney , Neal Davies Ben Richards and Jon Wilkins . You are a bunch of crazy ass brilliant Brits, who never tried to shave off my edges. Matt Hardisty , thank you for teaching me the strategy game, and what an agency point of view is all about. When I met you it was like looking in the mirror at my London brother from another. I'll never forget hopping around the world together with you.

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I want to thank the Wieden Crew, RICARDO VIRAMONTES , Juan Reyes , and Neal Arthur . I will always have a special bond with you all. I want to give a special shout to you Keith Cartwright . You are an incredible creative leader and social advocate who is broadening the aperture for who comes into this business. Thanks for your friendship and support over the years.

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I want to thank my Brooklyn brothers Daniel Cherry III and Stanley Lumax, who I came up in the agency business with. You both are shining examples of strong Black men, husbands, and fathers. You are also some of the sharpest minds in the marketing business. Thank you for providing friendship and council over the years.

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Tom Webster and Matthew Ammirati , thank you for bringing me in as a freelancer earlier in my career when I was figuring it out.

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I want to thank Bob Greenberg. Sitting down with you for hours talking about art, music, fashion, agency life and clients was wonderful. Thanks for pulling me into R/GA for a long-term freelance stint in the midst of a recession, where I could learn and contribute in a digital first environment.

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Kristina Jenkins , you are one of the best strategic minds in the business. Thanks for providing me opportunities, council and friendship over the years.

I want to thank the McCann Crew, Lee Daley and John Wright for bringing me to the agency. You made up a global role for me, where I had time and space to think and explore beyond a client remit. Thanks Daryl Lee for leaving me alone, when you didn't know what to do with my taalent. Dr. Wayne A. Fletcher , you are like a big brother who stretched the limits of my imagination. The seeds of my idependence and current practice, were sewn experimenting and developing ideas with you.

Thank you to the MediaVest crew, Richard Hartell , Dan Donnelly , Erika Machamer , and Rocio F. Brusseau . Even though I never really fit a media environment, you stretched me and taught me how that side of the table thinks. It has been invaluable as we help clients developing audiences and we collaborate with media agencies as a consultant.

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Sophie Kelly , thank you for pulling me into PepsiCo to work with great folks like Jayne Ambrosini , Rafik Lawendy , Carla Zakhem-Hassan , Brad Jakeman , Lou Arbetter , Luke Mansfield , Emma de Szoeke , Stacy Taffet , Nick Graham and Derek Daniels . You helped me transform from a freelancer working with agencies, to a consultant working with brands.

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Ilana Bryant , you were instrumental in our practice. Thank you for being a fierce advocate, friend and providing an example of what being an indy consultant looks like.

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Jason White , it has been great forming a relationship with you over the last few years. Thanks for believing in our skill set and point of view when you brought us into MTV, and Fanatics. Wishing you the best, as you put Wieden Portland back on top.

derek walker , I’ve looked your example from afar for years. As I've gotten to know you up close, you are a tireless advocate for Black folks and a veteran entrepreneur who I look to as an example. You are changing mindsets and carving out space for those who will come after us. I thank you for your service and sacrifice.

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I want to thank all the world class organizations, clients and agencies that have brought us in. We are independent, fierce in our point of view and not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m hoping we were able to create impact and help you serve your audience, see the landscape differently and create business impact.

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Last but not least I’d like to thank my partner in life and business Nandi Welch . You have believed me when sometimes, I doubted myself. None of this could of happened without you.