Shifting the narrative for people of color through storytelling

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Shifting the Marketing Narrative.

4 days ago by Team Subkit ∙ 2 min read

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dena Mekawi, Founder and CEO of Mekawi Impact, located in Staten Island, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Founded in 2016 as a division of my parent company, Style & Resilience, Mekawi Impact was established as an impact-driven marketing company dedicated to working with brands, companies, artists, and others with a united purpose. On the basis of authentic cultures & representation, Mekawi Impact has worked with a vibrant global clientele and noted brands to foster a deep community engagement. Mekawi Impact curates creative campaign solutions for advertisers, brands & artists to tap into insights to push the culture forward through partnerships, & strategy.

Tell us about yourself

I have been the representative at the United Nations Department of Global Communication NGO for over ten years. I'm responsible for high-level events and partnerships and continue to be one of the very few Marketing & Strategy companies led by an Arab American woman in the USA.

I curate creative communication strategies, & partnerships to engage brands, advertisers, and entrepreneurs to implement social impact into their business model with a creative approach through my company. I have advised several United Nations Agencies, forging private-sector partnerships. I was chosen to moderate and develop peace strategies for International Day Of Peace 2016 alongside notable Goodwill ambassadors DiCaprio and Stevie Wonder and former Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon. I was also personally recognized by Michael Douglas.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is the ability to create impact while curating ideas and projects. As a first-generation Arab American, there aren't many CEO owners of marketing companies - I am filling that gap and niche. We see misrepresentation of people of color, yet we wonder why. If we aren't controlling the narrative, then those in higher positions are. With the recent World Cup Fifa being held in a Muslim country for the first time, a lot of people have learned more about the culture just by being there.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

The hardest thing is learning discipline & patience. Remembering it takes years to see the fruit of your labor - you plant the seeds, be consistent, and your hard work will pay off.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Be valuable.

2. Be consistent.

3. Be resourceful.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://denamekawi.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dena.mekawi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denamekawi/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dena-mekawi-811a6439/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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Ready to Make Modestwear Mainstream

New York, NY (February 11, 2018) — Vivi Zubedi brought her signature modest wear to the mainstream with her Fall/Winter 2018 collection runway show at Industria as a part of NYFW: The Shows. The fashion designer traveled from her home country, Indonesia, to display her embellished, statement RTW and hijab collection to the US fashion industry. 

The venue was packed with a stylish crowd chattering as the designer and her models prepared to make their mark. Guests were wowed as theatrical beats pumped through the room and the first model walked the catwalk impeccably adorned by handcrafted Indonesian elements.  

Zubedi's talent for combining textures, patterns, and embellishments was apparent. The designer mixed traditionally Muslim silhouettes like hijabs and abayas with sportswear elements like printed sneakers and gold embellished baseball caps.  Written across the caps and select velvet jumpers in the collection was "Banua Borneo"-- a region of Indonesia that Vivi Zubedi wishes to bring attention to. 

The FW18 collection, entitled Urang Banua, was originally crafted as a cultural statement for quality of life and economic welfare of weavers and fabric artisans in the area of South Kalimantan: Pagatan and Sasirangan. As an entrepreneur herself, Vivi has made it her mission to support other entrepreneurs especially these women in South Kalimantan.  

Vivi Zubedi's collection utilized the weavers' beautiful original fabrics from South Kalimantan. The difficult techniques used in the process of making these fabrics is what makes them so special. The human resources who created the traditional fabrics are women ranging from teenagers, to adults and elders. Vivi believes these women should be highly praised as they conserve Kalimantan’s traditions. Vivi dreamt to improve the economy of these entrepreneurs by introducing Kalimantan’s traditional fabric to the international fashion industry at NYFW.  

“When I saw the elderly weavers in the village in South Kalimantan, I suddenly wanted to create a collection inspired by the fashion of their time, the 40s through 60s. I want to make chic and stylish masterpieces with their handcrafted materials. I want this fabric to be the new trend in fashion.” -- said Zubedi. 

A rich, yet earthy color palette of velvet and the subtly printed artisan materials was embellished with flashy gold chains, crystals, and pearls. Wrapped coats in black and white polka dot, navy velvet, and ikat printed fabrics were decked out with zippers, beads, girly bows, oversized belts and Victorian collars stole the show along with Zubedi's stylish sneakers and mini handbags.  

The show closed with designer Vivi Zubedi graciously walking down the runway in her own design to a standing ovation from the crowd including her daughter who handed her a bouquet of red roses that she took and held close to her velvet Banua Borneo gold stitched top. As the show ended the room of modest influencers, celebrities, editors, buyers, family, and friends stormed the runway opening hoping to try and grab a selfie with America's next top modest fashion star!  

 Vivi Zubedi's FW18 runway show, Urang Banua, was sponsored by HIJUP.com who will be selling both Vivi's runway and Zubedi by Vivi Zubedi collections.  

 Notable attendees included actress Johanna Braddy of Quantico, Genevieve Gorder of TLC's Trading Spaces, actress Catherine Curtin of Stranger Things and Orange is the New Black, Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss USA Kara McCullough, Love & Hip Hop LA star Masika Kalysha, LeA Robinson of Bravo's First Family of Hip Hop, winner of ABC's Great American Baking Show Vallery Lomas, and Broadway star Ariana Debose of Donna Summer and formerly Hamilton. 

  ##    

About Vivi Zubedi Vivi Zubedi is a fashion designer from Jakarta, Indonesia. Before working in fashion, Vivi graduated from Universitas Negeri Sumatra Utara (University of North Sumatera) with a degree in accounting. She soon realized that her passion was in the fashion industry, and started to learn how to sew and make clothing patterns from her tailor. 

In 2011, Vivi launched her first label using her own name “Vivi Zubedi”. Vivi first presented her collection at Indonesia Fashion Week in 2014 and received an incredible response from the fashion society in Indonesia. After that, Vivi continued to present her collection at Jakarta Fashion Week and launched in the U.S market through Indonesia Fashion Gallery in New York. Through her label, Vivi showcases Abaya collections to promote the Muslim women’s wear as a well-known entity in the fashion industry. With Vivi Zubedi’s brand, Abaya has become more renowned not only in Indonesia, but also in other parts of the world like London, South Africa, Germany, Dubai, and Qatar. 

In September 2017, Vivi Zubedi participated in her first fashion show at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) with IMG. Her collection became a spotlight, not only to the media, but also to the international fashion industry for her “fresh” designs, colors, and the meaningful theme “Makkah, Madinah, Jannah”. 

http://www.vivizubedi.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/vivizubedi/?hl=en   

About Hijup.com 

HIJUP is the world's first Islamic fashion e-commerce established in 2011. With an online mall concept, providing a wide range of the best online products from Indonesian Islamic fashion designers including clothing, hijab/headscarves, accessories, and more. 

Since its establishment, HIJUP.com functions as an agent for designers and their perspective buyers around the world. With HIJUP.com these designers can increase their profits more efficiently while making it easier for buyers to find the products they want.  

HIJUP stands for Hijab Up (just like in make up or dress up) because we believe that we can bring something Up to all Muslim women around the world. And that while wearing a hijab they are inspired to create something wonderful and earn a lot of respect from others. They deserve to be happy and look great in syar'I outfit and fashionable hijab. 

#ACT4AWARDS: Holiday Party Celebrating diversity in arts, media and tech

On December 4th, 2017 CINEMATCHER, STORYSHIFTER AND STYLE & RESILIENCE hosted a HOLIDAY PARTY CELEBRATING DIVERSITY IN ARTS, MEDIA AND TECH. At an integral time, coming together to celebrate our differences, while advocating for diversity across respective fields.  Honorees Included Alek Wek, Malik Yoba, Telisa Daughtry, M. Alby Bocanegra, Maya Azucena, & Jennifer Brea.

Hosted by Dena Mekawi ( Style & Resilience ) Lisa Russell(Storyshifter), & Lauren Magura (Cinematcher).

The #ACT4AWARDS Holiday Party hosted by CINEMATCHER, STORYSHIFTER and STYLE&RESILIENCE. As three strong women founders, our mission within our companies all revolve around  encouraging diversity and social change within the arts and media industry.

STYLE & RESILIENCE is a media and lifestyle company founded by Dena Mekawi, working with brands and private sector to create more inclusivity within mainstream media driving cultural trends through style and advocacy. Using the power of media, we implement diversity initiatives through pop culture and the arts.  We are making social good the norm, redefining what it means to be a resilient leader. Founder, Dena Mekawi used her experience of self-discovery as an Arab American to work collectively. 

STORYSHIFTER is a new entertainment and creative platform for the social good powered by machine learning and data analytics.  Founded by Emmy-winning filmmaker, Lisa Russell who produces films and creative projects for UN/NGO agencies, StoryShifter houses social good creative content (films, PSAs, music, poetry) and then evaluates its members demographics, viewing habits and subsequent action steps (ie, donate to a nonprofit, support a conscious brand, sign a petition and more), providing content producers with advanced data-driven tools to promote responsible storytelling and to take social good advocacy to the next level.

CINEMATCHER,  a matchmaking app that enables users to hire and get hired for film, TV and digital projects instantly – globally, founded by Lauren Magura. Their users are calling it the ‘Tinder’ for film and TV jobs, but more importantly they encourage diversity in front of and behind the camera. The founder Lauren Magura,  has experience working in indie film production, media operations supporting numerous networks at NBC, and publicity and promotions of record breaking films at Universal Pictures. Her passion for bringing efficiency and innovation to the industry, and bridging the massive gap of connecting creative productions to local and diverse talent, put Cinematcher into motion. Lauren wants to give anyone, anywhere, with any experience level the ability to connect, collaborate and create instantly, anywhere in the world.

Alek Wek was honored at the #act4awards where diversity & inclusion were highly celebrated. “This really means a lot to me, making choices, where you want to be, I could have been in London right now but tonight meant more to me because that's who I am," declares Alek Wek, the first black model who didn't conform to a Caucasian aesthetic, the first with an uncompromising, sub-Saharan beauty. Her industry saw her as new and exotic – a savage beauty.

Malik Yoba was also alongside the honorees being awarded. In 1994, Mr. Yoba began his role as NYPD Detective J.C. Williams on the popular FOX police drama series New York Undercover, opposite Michael DeLorenzo. Mr. Yoba and DeLorenzo made television history, as the series was the first police drama on American television to feature two people of color in the starring roles.Mr. Yoba's work on New York Undercover earned him three consecutive NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Drama series. “The coolest part is being in the give a damn business, we live in a world now where people who where on the fringes who were disconnected, disinterested perhaps disenchanted disheartened decided now it’s time to be in the middle of the arena and get active.” 

TeLisa Daughtry is the founder of FlyTechnista and was selected as a Finalist for Code/Interactive’s Diversity in Tech Awards. Telisa expresses “There was less resources and less visibility of women and people of color in technology, yet somehow today we have more access to gaining technical and digital skills, yet more barriers, crazy right, I am committed to breaking these barriers daily .” listed Top 50 VisionaryWomen in Tech to Watch in 2017 by Innovative Magazine, and was recognized as Change maker for Innovation & Entrepreneurship by The White House: United State of Women,in 2016.

M. Alby Bocanegra is serving the people of New York Chief of Staff, Strategy & Peformance in the Mayor’Office of the Chief Tecnology Officer (NYC Tech). He specializes in talent architecture, people development, project  management, operational excellence, diversity initiatives, and workplace culture. “I learned that I’m enough,I always share the wealth, whether it’s a smile or opportunity to share. I’m always in a state of serving others, that’s why working with underutilized populations has been part of my DNA.” Alby says.

 Maya Azucena, a multi-award winning recording artist  and magnetically inspirational woman, is known for making music that uplifts the soul. Maya Azucena devoted significant amount of her career to human rights, and uses art as her weapon. Maya provided music for Emmy -Winning UN documentarian Lisa Russell latest film Not Yet Rain, regarding the advancement of Women’s health laws and reproductive rights in Ethiopia. “I believe in each and every single one of you, that you have the power to affect change, ” expresses Maya while receiving her ACT4AWARDS.

Jennifer Brea is a TED Talker, an activist fighting for invisible illness and autoimmune disease, the director of Sundance award-winning Unrest, co-creator of Unrest VR, founder of  Shella Films and co-founder of #MEAtion.Jennifer Brea was not able to be there in person, the ACT4AWARDS was accepted on behalf of her inspiring resilient power in fighting through. 

(Left to right, Lisa Russell, Lauren Magura, Dena Mekawi) Host of the ACT4AWARDS.  Dena Mekawi mentioned “ I knew how it felt not to be reflected in mainstream media, I had self-esteem issues that stemmed from the desire to achieve the ideal standards of beauty. For me this meant that we each are represented properly in the media we consume.” From Miss Arab, to Oprah magazine, Dena has created a path that directly works with those shaping media and culture.