Posts made in February 2018

Surface × 2×4 × Rockwell Group

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Surface Presents The Diner by David Rockwell in Collaboration with 2×4

Opening at Salone del Mobile 2018, The Diner will celebrate American design now through design, food, and activations

April 17–22, 2018, Via Ferrante Aporti 15, Milan

In honor of its 25th anniversary, leading American design magazine Surface will unveil The Diner, in collaboration with architect David Rockwell, during the Salone del Mobile in Milan this April. The Diner will be a celebration of American design, presented as an unforgettable contemporary interpretation of the archetypal roadside restaurant.

The installation will immerse visitors in four distinct environments. Drawing on an expertise in hospitality and set design, Rockwell and the LAB at Rockwell Group are using the rituals of the diner as reference and departure points, linking the past and the future of an essential American icon. The entrance, inspired by the Airstream, will feature fresh coffee and homestyle pie. The journey will continue with an East Coast-style luncheonette, where visitors can enjoy milkshakes and other classic diner fare. A branded version of grilled cheese sandwiches will be served in the third segment of the space, a room that pays tribute to diners of the Midwest. The experience will conclude with a laid-back West Coast lounge concept.

“We are thrilled to be working with Surface on The Diner,” says Rockwell, founder and president of Rockwell Group. “Diners are uniquely American and enduring in our cultural iconography. Our goal is to capture the restaurant’s inherently optimistic and democratic spirit that draws people of all backgrounds to create a welcoming, lively, engaging, and fun environment.” To round out The Diner, Surface is tapping additional emerging and established U.S.-based designers and firms, including the renowned design studio 2×4, which is creating the project’s visual identity, from custom fonts and signage to menus. “Outside of the U.S.,” says Susan Sellers, creative director and partner at 2×4, “many would say one of

America’s distinctive qualities is optimism—an endless appetite for openness, possibility, and potential. I would say that American identity is currently challenged. We wanted to capture that paradox in The Diner’s identity.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with David Rockwell and 2×4,” says Surface editor-in-chief Spencer Bailey. “Bringing this powerhouse team to the international stage during the world’s largest design and furniture fair is the perfect way to celebrate Surface’s 25th anniversary.”

The concept, strategy, and execution of The Diner is being done in partnership with strategic consultancy firms Jacob Peres Office and Allenby Concept House. A collaboration with Ventura Projects, the installation will be part of the Ventura Centrale exhibition at warehouses underneath Milan’s Central Station. Open for seven consecutive days, The Diner will be a place to eat, relax, meet old friends and make new ones, and recharge. During the week, it will host a daytime talk series and in the evenings it will transform into a nightclub with late-night performances and parties.

Press Preview:

Monday April 16 3pm – 7pm

Opening Dates and hours:

Tuesday April 17 to Sunday April 22, 10 a.m.— 8 p.m.

About Surface Magazine

Surface is the definitive voice of global design. For 25 years, the publication has produced authoritative and thought-provoking stories on architecture, art, design, fashion, and culture. Surface offers a clean aesthetic and incisive writing with an emphasis on process and craftsmanship. Surface is a compass for today’s creative leaders and a barometer for what’s new and what’s next.

www.surfacemag.com

About Rockwell Group

Based in downtown New York with a satellite office in Madrid, Rockwell Group specializes in a wide array of work from luxury hospitality, cultural, and healthcare projects, to educational, product, and set design. Founded in 1984 by David Rockwell, Rockwell Group takes a cross-disciplinary approach to its inventive array of immersive projects. A strong commitment to explore and experiment resulted in the formation of the LAB at Rockwell Group, a design innovation studio that blends interactive technology, architecture, strategy, and storytelling. Crafting a unique and individual narrative concept for each project is fundamental to Rockwell Group’s successful design approach. From the big picture to the last detail, the story informs and drives the design.

www.rockwellgroup.com

About 2×4

Founded in 1994 by Michael Rock, Susan Sellers and Georgianna Stout, 2×4 is a global design consultancy headquartered in New York City with satellite studios in Beijing and Madrid. The focus of the studio’s work is brand strategy for cultural and commercial clients who value the power of design. 2×4 identifies and clarifies core institutional

values and creates innovative, experiential, participatory and visually-dynamic ways to engage key audiences worldwide. 2×4’s intellectual and creative conviction is that thoughtful design can make an essential contribution to every level of cultural discourse.

http://2×4.org/

About Ventura Projects

Ventura Projects are curated exhibition areas that present the latest developments at the forefront of contemporary design. Each Ventura Project involves carefully selected exhibitions that also feature temporary initiatives, special projects and/or creative hospitality concepts. Whether as a design district or integrated exhibition, Ventura Projects stands out with its focus on content, creativity and experimentation. Its dynamic curated format balances renowned designers with emerging talents, independent studios with established brands, design academies, galleries and institutions. Conceptual experiments are juxtaposed with professional presentations. In this way,

visitors are challenged to view design from different perspectives, and participants are connected with others working beyond their own domain. In line with the widening scope of design, the event’s open approach gives participants flexibility to present their work in a way that best suits their practice.

www.venturaprojects.com/

About Jacob Peres Office

Jacob Peres Office is a strategic communications and design consultancy with an international client base. Jacob Peres Office provides strategic international communications support, design direction and brand development. Their approach is tailored to each client, using incisive strategic insight and cross-fertilisation of ideas and knowledge to achieve its clients’ commercial, marketing and communication goals.

www.jacobperes.com

About Allenby Concept House

Allenby concept house was built on the belief that advertising is an art form and that brands can become amazing media content providers. 21st century marketing requires simultaneous orchestration of tools and infrastructures: storytelling, internet, media, field, creativity, content and branding. Allenby Concept House specializes in combining all those fields, bringing the most creative professionals out there in order to ensure the best results. Allenby is a one stop shop: it delivers all the services and solutions, starting at the building of the concept and ending with its production and implementation.

www.allenbyny.com

The Diner Bar Rendering – Courtesy of Rockwell Group

*Renderings by The Monument

PRINCE PEEZY × LA LA CHANEL

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South Florida’s “ Prince Peezy & La La Chanel” are ready for success, and they want you to know it. The Broward County, Florida Hip Hop & R&B duo is creating a strong buzz with the recent release of their video “Shine” on Vevo and YouTube.

Shine is the first single from the upcoming EP “Project X,” scheduled for release in 2018. Links have been provided for the media to view the video for “Shine.” Radio and media can receive a copy of the video or audio per request.

When asked why people should care about their music “Prince Peezy & La La Chanel” is quick to respond, “We just do what we love, we put our lives in our music, and we do it for ourselves. We hope that our fans & the world connects.”

They differentiate themselves from other indie artists as a “hard-working group ready and willing to lead the coming age of the indie artist.” As of now, the forecast looks bright for this duo to have their moment to shine in the Florida sun.

YouTube

Website

Sound Cloud

Official YouTube

Facebook

Twitter

HERON PRESTON x Off-White

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VIRGIL ABLOH AND HERON PRESTON REVEAL “COLLABORATION” HANDBAG

For their first collaborative release, Virgil Abloh (Off-White ℅ Virgil Abloh) and Heron Preston present “COLLABORATION”, a concept carryall that incorporates the designers’ common exploration of industrial elements. This accessory is a living hybrid: its dual-colored strap is a fusion of Off-Whites graphic yellow Weight Securing System strap and Preston’s signature orange band with the branded word “Style” in Russian. The strap is a purposeful note of asymmetry in a piece with clean balance. The transparent body is printed with Off-White’s famed diagonal white lines, along with the words “COLLABORATION”. Black carabiner clips secure the strap, while inside, an industrial netting-inspired inner tote is a textural contrast to the sleek exterior. Substantial industrial hardware finishes the design, with metal nuts that cleanly secure orange leather straps.

“Heron Preston’s ability to think without limits comes to life in this bag we created together,” Abloh says. “The mix of the materials combined with Off-White DNA lead to a final product that suggests a different idea of a “handbag”.”

PRICING
“COLLABORATION” – Mini – $942.00
“COLLABORATION” – Medium – $1,232.00

ABOUT HERON PRESTON

Heron Preston is the true embodiment of an artist born of the post-internet generation. Multi-faceted and genre-bending, he is a cultural icon in youth culture, and emerging designer in high fashion. He founded his eponymous fashion brand in 2016, and in two short seasons has garnered an international following. The common thread among his impressive bodies of work is a commitment to innovation, experimentation, and unpredictability. Heron Preston finds particular joy in the unexpected; taking conventional themes and reinterpreting them. Take for example his “UNIFORM” project from 2015, the designer’s first major collection, in which he collaborated with the NYC Department of Sanitation on a series of zero waste themed clothes and accessories. He’s also served as the global digital producer for Nike and of course, creative consultant to Kanye West, most notably on his work for the Life of Pablo and Yeezy fashion label.

@HERONPRESTON

 

ABOUT OFF-WHITE ℅ VIRGIL ABLOH

Established in 2013, Off-White is defining the grey area between black and white as a color.  Under the brand name, seasonal collections of men’s and women’s clothing, objects, furniture, and publications are articulating a current culture vision. Collections embedded in a recurrent back story with an emphasis on creating garments that have an identity by design. With a design studio based in Milan, Italy the label harnesses the history and craftsmanship within the country yet offers a global perspective in terms of design and trends. With a clear vision of splicing the reality of how clothes are worn and the artistic expression of high-fashion, creative director and designer Virgil Abloh explores concepts in the realm of youth culture in the contemporary context.

@off____white

 

MEDIA CONTACT

FOOD SAFETY TIPS

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11 food safety tips to pack for spring break

Whether you spend spring break partying in a city, exploring a different country or getting some R&R at home, don’t let food safety take a vacation. “Spring break is the perfect time to make memories with family and friends and Stop Foodborne Illness wants to make sure it’s the FUN MEMORIES that fill up your social media,” says Stop Foodborne Illness CEO, Deirdre Schlunegger.

Maintaining basic food safety standards, like washing hands, and adding some travel-specific practices is the best way to ensure foodborne illness won’t interrupt a fun getaway. Check out the Stop Foodborne Illness top tips for food safety during spring break.

All-inclusive resorts have many perks; they are touted as safer, more affordable, ideal for partying and usually include 24/7 buffets. Having unlimited access to food and drink is convenient, but can be potentially dangerous. Buffets serve large amounts of food over long periods of time, meaning there are more opportunities for food to not be kept at consistent, correct temperatures. Additionally, everyone shares the same serving utensils, increasing the risk of spreading pathogens. Since many all-inclusive resorts also have sit-down dining options on site, Stop Foodborne Illness recommends avoiding the buffet when possible and following these tips when it’s not.

• There’s always the possibility that food has not been held at proper temperatures – cold foods (salads, cold cuts, dressings) should be cold and hot foods (soups, meats, fish) should be hot. Any food that’s served at room temperature, and isn’t supposed to be, is within the temperature “danger zone” where bacteria can thrive.

• If you’ve gotten away to a warmer climate, remember the one-hour rule. Any perishable foods that have been sitting out beyond one hour when the temperature is higher than 90° F, is not safe to consume. (It’s 2 hours, if the temperature is below 90° F.)

• Another source of contamination is when food is mishandled by people with unclean hands. If you see something, say something. Don’t assume anything. And, of course, after a day’s activities, be sure to wash your own hands before eating.

• Fresh fruit and vegetables from the buffet can be a great poolside snack but don’t forget to wash and peel the tasty treat before eating. If you’re in an area with unsafe water, wash the produce with bottled or filtered water.

Eating and drinking can be some of the best things about travelling abroad. While “going local” is a delicious way to experience a new cuisine, it can also be an easier way to contract foodborne illness. Stop encourages travelers to be adventurous, but smart when it comes to consuming food in different countries.

•Street food is a great way to experience local culture, but often, stalls don’t have the same hygiene standards as restaurants that cater to tourists. Stop Foodborne Illness recommends being aware of this difference and making wise choices when enjoying dishes from local restaurants or street stands.

• Avoid establishments where the food handlers don’t practice good hygiene, such as tying back their hair, wearing protective gloves and having clean hands and fingernails.

•Be selective when choosing foods. Avoid raw milk and raw milk cheeses, and other raw foods—including undercooked meat and seafood, and uncooked vegetables —as well as foods that require a lot of handling before serving.

• Be extra cautions when visiting a remote destination. Turn up the food safety dial a notch; even though you may enjoy certain foods and beverages at home—like rare meat or runny eggs—it’s better to avoid questionable foods while in a different country. (Being sick in a language you don’t know can really complicate matters.)

As they say, half the fun is getting there! When you’re road tripping, in a rental or hopping on a plane, make sure you arrive at your destination safely with safe snacking habits.

• Sanitize tray tables, seat armrests and door handles with an 60% alcohol-based wipe. These frequently touched areas are generally made of plastic, a nonporous material that allows germs to live on longer, and have a higher risk of spreading foodborne illness.

• Keep food out of the danger zone. Make sure cold food stays cold—at or below 40°F—by packing it in coolers with frozen gel packs or ice. Stop Foodborne Illness suggests packing beverages in one cooler and perishable foods in another since you are likely to grab beverages most often while on the road. Since hot food needs to stay hot—at or above 140°F, Stop Foodborne Illness suggests passing on hot foods and opting instead for peanuts, and other nuts (including nut butters), jelly, crackers, chips, dried fruit, baked goods such as cookies or muffins, granola bars, popcorn, and whole fresh fruits like bananas, apples, and oranges.

• Rinse all fresh produce under running tap water (and patting it dry) before packing it in a cooler, including produce with peel-away skins or rinds. Follow this checklist to make sure coolers are packed properly.

Not going anywhere? Enjoy a relaxing staycation at home but don’t let your food safety practices go on a break. The best way to prevent the spread of foodborne illness is to continue following proper food safety. Wash your hands for 20 seconds before handling food, cook food to a safe internal temperature and clean cooking equipment and surfaces after preparing raw foods. Visit website for more food safety tips.

About Stop Foodborne Illness

Stop Foodborne Illness is a national nonprofit, public health organization dedicated to preventing illness and death from foodborne pathogens by promoting sound food safety policy and best practices, building public awareness, and assisting those impacted by foodborne illness. For more food safety tips please visit here. If you think you have been sickened from food, contact your local health professional. You may subscribe to receive Stop Foodborne Illness e-Alerts and eNews here.

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LIL YACHTY x COVER

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Today Lil Yachty shares his cover art and a March 9, 2018, release date for Lil Boat 2.

Lil Yachty, aka Lil Boat, aka “King of the Youth” is a 20-year old Atlanta native, a Grammy-nominated singer, rapper, producer, creative designer, branding genius and fashion icon who smashed onto the scene two years ago with his debut mixtape Lil Boat. In May, 2017, he released Teenage Emotions which entered The Billboard Top 200 at #5 and remained on the charts more than four months. Since then he accumulated nearly 3 billion streams, found himself on the covers of Paper and FADER magazines, as well as landing the cover of The New York Times Men’s Style section and a XXL Freshman cover. Rolling Stone said his album “Teenage Emotions” was a “landmark moment that may change the way people rap”, while The New York Times Magazine dubbed him as an artist “that tell us where music is going”.

 

The New Yorker :

“It’s commonplace for young rap stars to claim that they’ve transcended hip-hop; it’s rarer for them to actually do it. Yachty does”.

 

Noisey :

“Besides the actual sun, there is no source of joy in the world right now brighter and more sustaining than Lil Yachty. So basically, the moral of the story is: cancel all your plans and stay at home, and instead just understand that the Goodest Night has now been had, by one Lil Boat, Esq. You will never have as good a night as Lil Yachty had Apologies”.

 

The New York Times  :

“Lil Yachty’s excellence doesn’t originate in his choice of words, or even in the rhythm, he delivers them & he has created an alternate universe in which traditional narratives of rap excess are reframed as fantastical stories. And on the whole, his songs are dreamlike and entrancing. Lil Yachty has created an alternate universe in which traditional narratives of rap excess are reframed as fantastical kiddie stories. He has mainlined Gucci Mane’s vocal quirk a penchant for odd rhyme structures cloaked in unlikely melodies and distended it to absurdist lengths”.

 

The Source :

“It’s something about Lil Yachty as an artist that makes purveyors want to rush towards him in complete and utter approval”.

 

Esquire :

“The sheer obvious joy that Yachty takes in making music is one of his best qualities, and its infectiousness is one of the main reasons why people are flocking to him the way they are. It’s beautiful to see someone so fully consumed by their passion, and inspiring to see an artist so confidently exploring his form”.

 

Rolling Stone :

“Lil Yachty is probably going to change the world ».

 

Complex :

“Yachty in his own unorthodox way has put hip-hop culture in a choke-hold. He doesn’t show any signs of relinquishing his grip.”

 

Vibe :

“You can’t deny the fact that he’s one of the most authentic rappers in the game ».

 

Pitchfork :

“Yachty is the master of our joy.”

MARVEL’S BLACK PANTHER #1

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New creative teams. New series. New directions. New beginnings. It all kicks off this May with BLACK PANTHER #1!

“Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be rolling out new beginnings for a few of our key franchises—new creative teams, new starting points, new storylines—all the big stuff that we’ve been building towards since LEGACY began,” said SVP and Executive Editor Tom Brevoort. “This isn’t a clearing of the slate—while these new starts will kick off with new #1s, we’ll be maintaining the classic LEGACY issue counts as dual numbering on these titles as well. Oh, and don’t read anything into not seeing a character on the Jim Cheung piece…we can only squeeze so many characters onto there without killing poor Jim!”

For more information on BLACK PANTHER #1, including creator interviews, visit Marvel.com.

GUINNESS × ST. PATRICK’S DAY

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200 Years of Friendship and St. PATRICK’s DAYS

In Time for Milestone St. Patrick’s Day, Guinness is donating $1 to charity for each adult that dons a ‘Stache

Above the Upper Lip, USA (February 21, 2018) – This year marks the 200th St. Patrick’s Day Guinness will share with America, the latest reminder of the two-century connection between a legendary brewery and its good friends across the Atlantic. Once again, in the days and weeks leading up to March 17, it’s time for us all to embrace the stories we tell, the memories we make and the bonds we build over a pint of Guinness.

The Guinness brand is encouraging all Americans, 21 years and older, to make a simple pledge (assuming they’ve already promised to drink responsibly, of course): gather with friends, new or old, toast to the many things we all have in common…and give a ‘Stache. Indeed, this St. Patrick’s Day, the Guinness ‘Stache – that unmistakable hint of foam left behind on the upper lip after the first sip of stout – is back as a symbol of the goodness and the Irish-ness that lives within all of us.

From now through March 31, 2018, when adult beer lovers share photos of their ‘Staches – self-grown and groomed, drawn-on, or Guinness-enhanced – on social media (tagging @GuinnessUS and using #StacheForCharity), Guinness will donate $1 (up to $100,000) to the Guinness Gives Back Fund*, which supports nonprofits that contribute to the common good in our communities, including Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response organization.

“Over the past 200 years, so much has changed – yet so much has stayed the same, like people coming together to raise a pint of Guinness with their friends on St. Patrick’s Day,” said Guinness Brand Director Emma Giles. “We are proud to be part of such an enduring tradition that celebrates Irish heritage and, when it comes down to it, the power of friendship. The Guinness ‘Stache is a great way to bring that to life in a fun way for a great cause.”

The symbol of the ‘Stache will appear alongside Guinness brand activity at bars and restaurants and on social media throughout the St. Patrick’s Day season, including in some digital content that pays homage to 200 years of mustaches in America. To spread the word about the bonds a ‘Stache can build, the brand is releasing additional digital content that will help us all reflect on the friendships we cherish – and some very recognizable Guinness fans will also get involved in spreading the word.

In addition, it’s time for the latest limited-edition Guinness Draught cans, which will hit shelves in time for St. Patrick’s Day. The ongoing series celebrates the famed Guinness ad campaigns of the 1930s and ‘50s. While it doesn’t have a mustache, the kinkajou – which we thought was a sloth at first – will be featured on this version.

To keep an eye on everything the Guinness brand is doing and to get in on the ‘Stache action, follow @GuinnessUS on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Whether you’re making a new friend or meeting an old one, having a Guinness Draught, or ordering up any other Guinness beer this St. Patrick’s Day, please respect the beer and drink responsibly.

*The Guinness Gives Back Fund is a corporate donor advised fund administered by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. The Fund’s mission is to support local charitable organizations which are classified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that are aligned with the corporate focus areas of Diageo North America, Inc.

Clinic of Kohll’s

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Preventative Medical Clinic of Kohll’s Pharmacy … Non-Surgical Beauty is on the Rise for Patients on the Go!

Study: On average, women spend more than $313 a month on their appearance. For millions of Americans, it’s not just products, but procedures keeping them looking good.”It’s addicting. You start with Botox, you want a little more you realize how fast and easy it is” said Bobbie Vetock, clinic director at Preventative Medical Clinic of Kohll’s Pharmacy and HomeCare.

Treatments like Botox helped to boost business at the clinic off 114th & Dodge. Vetock says sales have doubled in the past two years.According to a study done by One Poll for Groupon, the average woman spends about $313 a month on her appearance.That adds up to $3,756 a year, and more than $225,300 over a lifetime.​Vetock tells me the most popular procedure at her office is Botox because of the quick results and minimal amount of time spent on the procedure.”People are coming on their lunch breaks, scheduling appointments over lunch. You can be in and out of here in 15-45 minutes, and look different,” said Vetock.

Another popular service available at Preventative Medical Clinic of Kohll’s Pharamacy: Many of us can point to any part of our body to find some unwanted fat. And for those who have extra fat on their chin, you’re in luck. Preventative Medical Clinic of Kohll’s are using treatments, such as Kybella, to tighten the chin area. Preventative Medical Clinic of Kohll’s Pharmacy was one of the first in the Nebraska to offer Kybella, a drug that helps to dissolve fat below the jawline in order to minimize the appearance of a double chin.​”It really revolutionized the treatment for saggy chin, or chin that has unwanted fat” said Justin Kohll V.P.  Patients don’t go under the knife. Kybella is injected into the chin area to get rid of the unwanted fat.​​

SculpSure is another popular procedure drawing patients to clinics around the Omaha metro area,It’s a non-surgical fat-reduction treatment that uses controlled cooling to eliminate stubborn fat that resists all efforts through diet and exercise.

USC Annenberg launches Center for Third Space Thinking

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The Center for Third Space Thinking, a new, innovative center dedicated to equipping businesses and nonprofit organizations with the essential soft skills needed to thrive in a communication-at-the-center world, has been established and will be based at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. The former dean of the Annenberg School, Ernest J. Wilson lll, founded the center, and the Annenberg Foundation has provided a $1.5 million launch grant to open it.

To meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of today’s complex and digitally disrupted business environment, the Center for Third Space Thinking is helping people and organizations solve complex problems through a new communications-driven methodology. The new methodology, built around the five core competencies of adaptability, cultural competency, empathy, intellectual curiosity and 360-degree thinking to approach problems from multiple perspectives, will be applied to the center’s work in three areas — leadership development, education and community engagement.

Wilson says the new center should become the go-to resource for anyone interested in using soft skills to improve individual and organizational performance in a period of high-velocity and widespread change.

“We are creating a novel third space that relies on communication-centric strategic thinking and its critical soft skills that are in such high demand, but seriously under supplied in the market. We’re going to fix that,” Wilson said.

The Annenberg Foundation grant will help launch the center’s educational leadership and community empowerment programs and share the center’s knowledge with diverse, underserved communities to improve their access to soft skills development.

“We support this powerful vision for educating a cadre of Third Space Thinkers,” said Wallis Annenberg, USC trustee and chairman of the board, president and CEO of the Annenberg Foundation. “We believe soft skills are imperative in our quickly changing world and are excited to support the center’s leadership programs.”

“We are grateful to the Annenberg Foundation for providing the Center for Third Space Thinking with the funding we need to launch our important work,” said Shellee Smith, the center’s executive director. “With this first grant, we now have the ability to transform people and organizations with a new, fresh, communications approach to strategic thinking and problem solving.  We will be looking for partnerships and further resources to be able to serve the maximum amount of people in order to have a deep and wide impact.”

The center hosted its first two-day leadership development Boot Camp for high-potential executives on the USC campus on October 5 and 6. A total of 25 executives from a diverse set of organizations, including Google, IBM, Western Union, United Airlines, AECOM, Southern California Edison, Quest Diagnostics and the Annenberg Foundation attended the highly immersive Boot Camp that helped the participants gain critical soft skills and become more effective problem solvers. The center’s next Boot Camp is scheduled for April 4-6, 2018.

Geeks OUT Announces Board Members

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Geeks OUT,an LGBTQ non-profit dedicated to rallying, empowering and promoting the queer geek community, announces its 2018-2019 Board Members and appointing of Nicole Gitau as the organization’s first female president.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to help lead the organization that has given so much to me. I joined Geeks OUT as a blogger, six years ago in search of a queer and geeky community. What I found instead was a family,” said Gitau. “Geeks OUT has grown tremendously since I’ve joined. I’m confident in the board that’s been put into place to tackle everyone our 2018 to-do list and I hope our excitement encourages others to join us as we slay!”

In addition to her work as a blogger, Gitau previous served as Vice President to Geeks OUT. Stepping into the role of Vice President for the upcoming term will be Steve Gianaca, who also serves as Chair to Flame Con, the world’s largest LGBTQ comic convention hosted by Geeks OUT.

In total, 10 individuals were installed on the 2018-2019 Geeks OUT Board of Directors:

·         President Nicole Gitau

·         Vice President Steve Gianaca

·         Board Member Zobel Belisario

·         Board Member Kevin Gilligan

·         Board Member Rachel Greeman

·         Board Member John Jennison

·         Board Member Mary Martinez

·         Board Member Kyle-Steven Porter

·         Board Member Jon Shutt

·         Board Member Joey Stern

Co-founded by Josh Siegel and Joey Stern in 2010, the non-profit was created with the goal of bringing a positive queer presence to local comic conventions. Since then Geeks OUT has grown to become an internationally recognized community. in addition to hosting chapter events across the country and holding NYC-based, Flame Con.

With Geeks OUT’s growing presence, the organization is excited to announce their presence at comic cons across the nation including:

·         Emerald City Comic Con – Seattle, WA

·         Awesome Con – Washington D.C.

·         PAX East – Boston, MA

·         C2E2 – Chicago, IL

·         Heroes Con – Charlotte, NC

·         Flame Con – New York City, NY

·         PAX West – Seattle, WA

·         New York City Comic Con – New York City, NY

For more information on Geeks OUT, please visit www.geeksout.org and for more information on upcoming events, please check www.facebook.com/geeksout.