Urblandia

Lani Adeoye is an award-winning designer and the founder of Studio-Lani, a design brand spanning sculpture, lighting, furniture, fashion and assistance devices. While her practice is multifaceted, it is consistently rooted in the ethos of connection, drawing individuals in on a deeper level, nurturing and celebrating shared human values. Her creative process seamlessly blends the rhythmic warmth of her Nigerian heritage and echoes of time-honored craftsmanship with a futuristic approach. This results in timeless objects that harmonize with a universal melody while remaining deeply attuned to a sense of place.  Lani's hybrid mindset and experimental approach allow her to embrace unexpected ideas and explore different avenues to enhance the value of her designs. This creative junction is her joy zone, crafting new futures and memorable designs known to exude an enigmatic elegance. At their heart, her creations celebrate the profound impact of the human touch, in sculpting intangible values into designs that resonate both physically and emotionally.  Her unique creations have earned placements in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions such as the Vitra Design Museum, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and Die Neue Sammlung. Notable accolades include winning the first prize in Milan's 2022 'SaloneSatellite: Designing for our future selves' award for her creation, RemX—an asymmetric walker hailed by the jury for merging "elegance and dignity in a useful object for all." Additionally, she was honored by Elle Décor in its 'Women of the World: 75 Global Female Designers Worth Celebrating' issue in 2020 and has been featured in prominent publications such as Designed For Life, Woman Made, and Phaidon's '1000 Design Classics.' Lani's journey encompasses a diverse range of experiences. She grew up as an artistic child, participating in art competitions in Lagos, Nigeria. But she went on to complete her Bachelor of Commerce at McGill University in Montreal and subsequently worked as a consulting analyst at Accenture in Toronto. Then, taking a big leap of faith, she transitioned back to her creative roots and graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York, where she also shares her knowledge as an adjunct professor. This rich tapestry of interests and skills equips her with a versatile toolkit to tackle design challenges, blending analytical rigor with an innate sensitivity to form and material.  Through Studio-Lani, she delights in collaborating with clients across various industries, offering bespoke commissions, exclusive partnerships, and customized variations of her studio collection. With a perennial curiosity and a dedication to fostering cross cultural synergy, Lani continues to push boundaries, using design as a tool to ignite meaningful human connections, cultural celebration and dignity for all.

This episode is a throwback/unreleased conversation from 2020. About Marcus Ducheine Cofounder, Greenhaus Foods linkedin.com/in/marcusducheine • Serve as Sales Executive to prospective and existing clients, uncover business challenges or goals, driver revenue and recommend investment in plant based alternatives and proteins for food establishments, hospitals, and meal preparation companies.• Responsible for recruitment of net new clients and manufacturing prospects to add to our portfolio of growth with existing accounts, specifically growing small and medium-sized businesses in the southwest region.•Developed master networking skills in order to effectively build relationships with commercial food producers in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area, accelerating new B2B sales by 167% YOY from $55,000 to $146,850 and reduced current client churn by 5% + YOY (2021)..• Exceeding sales targets in product manufacturing (118%), direct resale B2B (104%), and online B2C (109%) (2022)• Collaborate on cross-sell opportunities within our ecosystem of suppliers, specialized sales teams, account management, and third-party partner vendors.

This is an unreleased throwback episode from 2020.  Born and raised in South Florida, Nathan Delinois (Nate Dee) has numerous influences... this includes his Haitian background and the use of color in a lot of Haitian art, as well as in street art. The design quality of the Art Nouveau movement and the drama of Greek art from the Hellenistic. These elements can be seen in his work. Additionally, he takes some influences from the pop surrealists.

Guest\\ Axel Void Axel Void (Alejandro Hugo Dorda Mevs) was born in Miami in 1986 to a Haitian mother and a Spanish father. He was raised in Spain from the age of three, where he was strongly influenced by classical painting and drawing. Axel Void has been in contact with graffiti writing since 1999. He studied Fine Arts in Cádiz, Granada, and Sevilla, and based himself in Berlin until moving to Miami in 2013, where he currently resides. Axel is a multimedia artist driven by a passionate interest in the art of storytelling. Inspired by truth in all its forms. Whether exploring the visceral realness of an uncomfortable reality, or the hazy delight of nostalgia, each work documents sincerity, presented with an almost journalistic intrigue. Axels area of interest lies in the untold stories of ordinary people, everyday moments without facade or flair. Inherently familiar, through his stories we experience our social constructs, our families, our fears and triumphs; his characters ascend to metaphors for the human condition; mourned or celebrated through our collective memory. Read more... About URBLANDIA Connecting Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) developers, urban planners, architects, designers, and community stakeholders with urban development projects and opportunities throughout the US. Learn more at urblandia.com

Born of Nigerian heritage in the United States, Azeez chose the career path of architectural visualizations and photography as his storytelling and purpose-driven medium. Here is a slice of his American experience so far. Guest\\ Azeez Bakare Azeez Bakare is a 3D Artist, Photographer, and Videographer who helps firms, agencies, developers, and solopreneurs translate their ideas into high-quality visualization. Spending over 9 years in the industry, Azeez knows that quality in visualization matters. Azeez secured a lead role at top Architecture/Engineering firm, HOK, and 3D visualist position with emmy-award winning agency, DBOX. Since starting his own virtual studio team in 2015, Azeez has landed production contracts with top international companies such as Nike, Airbnb, Google, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), and the Miami Dolphins. He’s landed coverage in print with A+U Magazine, Miami Magazine, and Ocean Drive. His work has been featured in broadcast outlets around the world including CNN Style, Architectural Digest, TMZ, Wallpaper Magazine, and ArchDaily. In addition to his work experience, Azeez is an official ambassador with Google, selected as a top 50 creative out of 2,000+ members internationally. A certified visualist, recently presenting on the topic of 3D Visualization at the National Conference of NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects). He is a member and advocate of Black Architects in the Making (BAM), an equal opportunity program focused on enhancing students’ awareness about architecture. Run through the Miami Center for Architecture and Design (MCAD), the program encourages young Black students to consider architecture as a career. Azeez is was awarded locally for visualizations used in the Wynwood Greenhouse competition in Miami, FL. Azeez holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture, and minor in Visual Communication Design from The Ohio State University. About Urblandia Urblandia is an emerging platform focused on amplifying positive impact entrepreneurship. Join us on urblandia.com

A conversation about the current state of the architectural design profession and its institutional and educational biases.  How far has the profession evolved and the work that still needs to be done within the context of inclusivity and social justice? Listen and join the conversation - leave your comments and questions. Guest\\ Germane Barnes Germane Barnes is an Assistant Professor and the Director of The Community, Housing & Identity Lab (CHIL) at the University of Miami. He is also the Director of Studio Barnes, a research and design practice that investigates the connection between architecture and identity. Mining architecture’s social and political agency, he examines how the built environment influences black domesticity. His design and research contributions have been published and exhibited in several international institutions. Most notably, The Museum of Modern Art, The Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts, The New York Times, Architect Magazine, DesignMIAMI/ Art Basel, The Swiss Institute, Metropolis Magazine, Curbed, and The National Museum of African American History where he was identified as one of the future designers on the rise. About Urblandia Urblandia is an emerging platform focused on amplifying impact entrepreneurship. Join us on urblandia.com

A conversation about sustainability and inclusivity challenges within the fashion industry.  Guest\\ Jordana Guimarães, Co-Founder at FASHINNOVATION Over 15 years experience as a Marketing, Sales & Public Relations Director in the lifestyle & fashion industries and recently co-founded FASHINNOVATION: a platform showcasing innovations via ways of technology, shaping the fashion industry. Strong focus on sustainability, women empowerment & inclusivity. About Urblandia Urblandia is an emerging platform focused on amplifying impact entrepreneurship. Join us on urblandia.com

We tend to have many blind spots when it comes to identifying and prioritizing problems within our cities. Sometimes this can be attributed to a lack of awareness, not just personal or institutional interest.   "It takes a village" is more than just a famous African Proverb used on email signatures and distributed by memes on social media, but its literal meaning could help tackle issues such as foster care challenges within our built environment. Community impact also requires careful "village" planning in urban development. Listen as we explore some of the nuances of creating impact within the foster care system. About Our Guest Melissa Meade joined FFCR in November 2018 as our Communications & Development Coordinator. She is a graduate of the University of Miami with a triple major in Economics, Ecosystem Science & Policy and International Studies and a minor in Business Administration. Melissa brings with her a decade of professional experience working primarily in wealth management and has extensive experience supporting communication and operational efforts for community organizations, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. Most recently, she served as the Campaign Operations Director for a South Florida candidate for Congress. About Urblandia Urblandia is an emerging platform focused on amplifying impact entrepreneurship. Join us on urblandia.com

Disparities exist almost everywhere in our global society. In this episode, we take a look at how community redevelopment factors into the future of underserved local neighborhoods, such as Overtown - located in the heart of Miami's urban core. About Our Guest Keon Williams is a native of Miami, Florida, born in the heart of one of Florida’s oldest Black communities named Overtown. Mr. Williams is a 2008 graduate of Bethune- Cookman University with a degree in Politic Science. Mr. Williams also holds a certificate in Community Real Estate Development from the University of South Florida. Mr. Williams has over 15 years of relevant experience in Non-profit Management, Business Development, Business Financing, and Issues-based Advocacy. Mr. Williams currently serves as the Assistant Director for Urban Philanthropies, a non-profit dedicated to transforming distressed urban communities in South Florida through economic and community development activities. Mr. Williams latest initiatives include navigating Urban Philanthropies through the successful startup of a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), to provide financial and technical assistance to small and emerging nonprofits in South Florida’s urban communities; The Overtown Business Boot Camp, providing residents with startup capital and technical assistance to assist with creating a new business; and the launching of The Urban, a new 58,000 square foot food market and entrepreneurial venue located in the heart of Overtown that will feature local food trucks, in addition to custom-designed shipping containers for a centralized bar, retailers and art installations. When Mr. Williams is not working, he serves as the Chairman of the Overtown Community Oversight Board, whose purpose is to encourage and support housing, job creation, economic and business development, educational opportunities, historic and cultural preservation, and to provide written recommendations to the City Commission regarding those activities; The Chairman of The Overtown Optimist Club Inc., a non-profit located in Overtown, tasked with overseeing the participation of 500+ youth and 50 staff members in transforming the next generation through education and sports related activities. Mr. Williams has been a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., since 2008. Mr. Williams credits the motto “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve,” as the bedrock of his dedication and commitment to advocating for disenfranchised communities. Mr. Williams currently serves on the following community boards: Community Reinvestment Alliance of South Florida, Overtown Children and Youth Coalition, Overtown Community Oversight Board, The Black Collective, Nyah Project, The Equitable and Advocacy Collective, Overtown Optimist Club and Bethune Cookman-University Miami-Dade Chapter. About Urblandia Urblandia is an emerging platform focused on amplifying impact entrepreneurship. Join us on urblandia.com

On this episode we take a look at how the state of political and economic systems keep abusing its greatest asset, the human capital. This is often made more apparent during times of crisis, not just during a pandemic.  Derrick Scott, Ph.D Lecturer | Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs | Florida International University (FIU) Ph.D University of Maryland College Park GIS, Urban Geography, Geo-Economics/Politics, Housing issues, New-Urbanism, Smart Growth, Areas; West Indies, US Cities, Sub-Saharan Africa. Urblandia is an emerging platform focused on amplifying impact entrepreneurship. Join us on urblandia.com