Media

Culture Conversation Wraps up Season 3 | From Start-Up to Premium Show by Hussein Abdullahi

Culture Conversation wraps up another successful season

Podcasts have become a powerful tool for millions of content creators globally. From transforming the digital landscape amid the global pandemic, podcasters have leveraged the power of media to deliver a tangible product. The passion for creating content has yielded a profit for most. Our team at TGQ Inc. has been responsible for the executive production of the podcast Culture Conversation.

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In July, Culture Conversation concluded their third season with a season finale episode featuring the HoopQueen Keesa K. Season Three featured an array of industry leaders, sport business professionals, and community activists. The long list includes Ontario’s first Poet Laureate Randell Adjei, Toronto’s Sports Journalist Duane Watson, Young Entrepreneur of the year Nevell Provo + more. We will highlight some memorable moments from Season Three below.


Heart Of The City

In March, Sports Journalist Duane Watson joined our platform to share his unique story. Duane Watson is responsible for creating several media projects in conjunction with NBATV Canada and TSN. Duane has cultivated a space for Black Journalists across Toronto's landscape to tell stories imperative to our culture.

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There wasn’t a space for us to like see us! To kind of have that platform where people are speaking like how we talk about ball or whatever I think that stuff is really important. Giving our people stuff to aspire to. - Duane Watson

In this episode, Duane reflects on his early career working in the music business for Sony during the golden era of Hip-Hip. After having much success in the music business, Duane sacrificed a six-figure salary to jump-start his freelance career in Journalism. By utilizing his journalistic principles of storytelling and his marketing mindset, Duane brought life to The HoopClub, NBAXL and the iconic Nike Crown League.


HoopQueens TO

On the season finale, Keesa K. of the HoopQueens joined the platform to share her story. Keesa K. has created a women-led community organization to advocate for equality in sports, provide access to resources for women in sports, and overcome the gender disparity gap. We have begun to see a slight shift in sports. Women are getting recognition for being powerful athletes.

We go through so much as women, you know we have kids, we have our familys, we have things to take care of as a women of the household. I feel like men have a lot of opportunties for you know money to come in, but for girls its not the same. - Keesa K.

Female athletes such as Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, and Sabrina Ionescu have all exercised activism against gender discrimination in sports. Keesa K. spoke on the importance of educating the masses on women in sport, normalizing a co-ed sports environment. Keesa K. spoke on the importance of uplifting women across the globe to be multi-faceted. HoopQueens is committed to changing the narrative for millions of women athletes nationwide.


His Story

Earlier this year, Randel Adjei was named the first Poet Laureate of Ontario. Randell joined our platform to share his embarking journey. The social entrepreneur has overcome several obstacles as a youth in a low-income community. Randell turned to poetry and sports as a way to express himself. His upward trajectory came at a time when he went through a life-changing experience. It was at that moment when he redefined his purpose. Randell created an art organization, R.I.S.E (reaching intelligent souls everywhere). RISE has produced several community-based initiatives for upcoming artists across Toronto’s GTA. Randell spoke on the importance of redefining your purpose, creating a lasting legacy within the community. He ended this segment off with an acapella spoken word!


Podcast: Culture Conversation

Written by: Hussein Abdullahi

Published by: TGQ Inc.

Overseasfits Hosts Successful Pop-up in Houston by Hussein Abdullahi

Overseas Fits Hosts First Pop-up in H-Town

The world of pro sports has merged parallels between the culture of fashion, entertainment and lifestyle. The East coast fashion brand Overseas Fits launched their first- pop-up event in Houston. The star-stubbed event featured professional athletes, entertainment moguls and influencers. The brand activation featured a live painting by Professional Athlete Quincy Miller, also showcasing their new pieces in their summer campaign. We spoke to the Founder of Overseas Fits Kelvin Amayo to discuss the culmination of the brand, how is creating a unique space in the streetwear industry and the importance of highlighting black creativity.

Photo Courtesy of J Carrington

Photo Courtesy of J Carrington

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“We took the underdog story for athletes who really didn’t get a chance to be highlighted anymore after high school and college, we noticed while being able to showcase their lifestyle and fashion presence it will give Overseas athletes a voice again. Overseas Fits is a safe space for athletes to be creative if anyone is looking for them, they can visit our platfrom and see what they’re doing. ” - Kelvin Amayo


Fashion + Sports

The culture of fashion has been on full display with the emergence of social media channels such as League Fits and HallOfFits, Overseas Fits aims to spread the culture of fashion across the water, highlighting the underdog story and shining light on the overseas grind. Their focus is to build a community of athletes that are unique and bold to share their creative expression through fashion. The brand roster includes WNBA athlete Tiffany Mitchell, Bahçeşehir Koleji’s own Erick Green, and Bursaspor Guard Xavier Munford.

Photo Courtesy of Lanez Photo

Photo Courtesy of Lanez Photo

Photo Courtesy of:   Lanez Photo

Photo Courtesy of: Lanez Photo

“Overseas Fits means a lot to the culture of fashion, we’re just trying to show the world we are here to stay by building a community for Overseas athletes to speak their peace through their outfits. We released a few pieces to see the culture in it.”- Kelvin Amayo


Photo Courtesy of J Carrington

Photo Courtesy of J Carrington

Photo Courtesy of  Lanez Photo

Photo Courtesy of Lanez Photo

A large part of fashion is being able to express yourself creatively and freely while creating trends that uplift the black culture. We wanted to highlight the creation of Overseas Fits and the importance of including black creativity within their brand. Kelvin shared some of his insights on ways he continues to amplify his brand while promoting black creativity in his pieces.

“ It’s huge. We do a great job bouncing ideas with the group and we will continue to work on more projects in the future to showcase black creativity. We have a few pieces that we can’t wait to release. Stay tuned it’s not a sprint it’s a marathon.

If you can make it Overseas, you can make it anywhere.
— Kelvin Amayo

Featuring: Overseas Fits

Photography by: J Carrington, Lanez Photo

Published by: TGQ Inc.