MOBI X SCOTCH & SODA CALL TO ACTION
BY: LEVAR “RAMZIE” KEMP
What happens when wellness meets the community, and personal development and fashion? It presents MOBI (Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative) latest campaign with the help of Dutch fashion brand, Scotch & Soda. Under the name “Well and Well-Dressed,” the campaign encourages queer communities of color to consider holistic health as a lifestyle choice to combat their stressors and adversities while looking and feeling great in the process
The collaboration with Scotch & Soda happened very organically. One of there MOBI team members connected with the team at the Fulton Street store in New York City and when they heard about the work they were doing they were eager to collaborate with them in a creative way. The brand positions themselves as being “from Amsterdam, from everywhere” and wants to be part of the conversation with them surrounding inclusivity. Mobi landed on a campaign that values inner health just as much as outer appearance.
MOBI curates social events for queer people of color that promote wellness, community, and personal development. This is accomplished through the MOBItalks series with previous speakers including Karamo Brown¨DeRay McKesson¨ Ty Hunter¨Emil Wilbekin, Patrik Ian Polk, Michael Arceneaux¨and Darnell Moore amongst others. Also, MOBIfest- a 3-day NYC citywide festival in June that celebrates queer contributions to the arts and media. Danity Kanes Dawn Richard headlined last year’s inaugural festival.
When it came to picking the influencers that would breath life into the campaign, they wanted to work with individuals that help the mission behind MOBI and still have their very own individual style. They needed that to radiate through in the campaign. For example, Rap Sarmiento is a Fashion Editor and Wardrobe Stylist of Filipino descent. We don’t see many queer people of color of his background represented. B.Hawk identifies as non-binary and has been a staple in the NYC scene as an LQBTQ+ advocate. Inclusivity is also important for MOBI. Devin-Norelle is a noted writer and Trans advocate and a perfect representation of inclusion in the community. Randy Bowden and Marco Maldonado are the first openly gay couple on a BET reality show and have been extremely supportive. B MAJR is an DJ and who has been dedicated to MOBI’s beginnings. Bry’Nt is a rapper and music artist, but he’s open about his sexuality while working in a hypermasculine industry. Kameron Mack is representing the community well in the world of media and London Miles advocates for sexual health
MOBI and Scotch & Soda’s “Well and Well-Dressed” campaign serves as a call to action to dedicate as much time to our inner wellbeing as your outer appearance.
“A lot of the magic that makes New York Fashion Week happen can easily be credited to large contributions from the queer community that gravitate towards that industry,” says MOBI Founder, DaShawn Usher.
The “Well and Well-Dressed” campaign kicks off MOBI’s programming for the year beginning with it’s 2019 MOBItalks series on Saturday¨March 23rd in the Bronx; Saturday¨April 20th in Harlem; and Saturday¨May 18th in Long Island City. This all leads up to MOBIfest a few weeks before World Pride in June. MOBI’s events are all free to the public with access to MOBIfest earned through receiving a MOBI sponsored wellness service or participating in a dedicated health or professional development activation across the city.
2019 is a big year for MOBI. Stay tuned for greatness. Kontrol Homme will continue to follow this movement as it continues to promote wellness, fashion, personal development.
