Ep. 6|Bronx Sneaker Designer Milnalis Diese on Faith, Working for Converse, Being Afro-Latina+MORE!

Ep. 7|Photographer Kim Toledo on Working W/ NBA Stars, Summer League, Her Photography Journey + MORE

I’m always honored when I get the opportunity to interview people I’m truly a fan of. Not only does it make for a better conversation, but it allows me to attack the interview from an angle that’s steeped in endearment and curiosity. Through talking with @holytoledophoto in episode 7 of @theupandcomingpodcast_ I realized she attacks her own photography in much of the same way. From working with @carmeloanthony, @precious, @tobias, @tylerherro, and DOZENS more, she brings a combination of her fandom, passion, professionalism and immense talent into the gym with her at all times—and the result is a collection of beautifully curated images that capture the true essence of her subject(s). And not only is her nickname second to none, but so is her work ethic. So it’s no secret as to why she’s enjoyed the success she has in just three short years. Fresh off shooting her first NBA Summer League, Toledo was kind enough to sit and chop it up with me to discuss what it’s like working with some of the best basketball players in the world, how she’s breaking the mold in a male dominated industry, maintaining her mental health, her brand @whatifunlimited which she co-founded with @Raptors forward @Precious and so much more! @holytoledophoto, I can’t thank you enough for the interview and shoutout to @josietheartist for coming through and hooking Kim up with a custom piece, be sure to follow her on Instagram. As always, thank you all for your continued patience, time and support, it truly means the world. Without further ado, please enjoy episode 7!

Ep. 6|Bronx Sneaker Designer Milnalis Diese on Faith, Working for Converse, Being Afro-Latina+MORE!

Today’s episode is special to me for a number of reasons. Not only cause I’m releasing it on my birthday, but it marks a new chapter in the growth of @theupandcomingpodcast_ as we featured the first woman to grace our platform. And I couldn’t be more excited about it! When I carved out the idea for the new season—knowing that I wanted to focus solely on women making a difference in their respective fields—the first person that came to mind was @bythemil . Mina and I first met as wide-eyed college freshman @herkimercollege and if you asked me then, would Mina be where she is today—it’d be a resounding YES! Her focus, determination, faith and her ability to be herself, no matter where or who she’s around, have opened a countless number of doors for her, including her most recent position as a sneaker designer for @converse and founder of her networking company @c2c.nyc Mina’s story, as you’ll hear in the episode, is one of triumph and perseverance. At just 16 she was diagnosed with a rare eye condition that could’ve left her blind by her mid-twenties. But after creating a GoFundMe for her corrective eye surgery, her loved ones and supporters helped her raise the money to restore her vision, in just two days! Mina and I had a lot of catching up to do, so we touched on a number of different topics including, rediscovering her faith in God, working in the sneaker industry as a woman and the need for more diversity, being an Afro-Latina and discovering a side of herself she never knew existed. This episode marks the first of five in season 2 of @theupandcomingpodcast_ which will feature women blazing their own path in their respective fields. As always, I hope you all enjoy and thank you so much for your continued patience, the reception to these episodes make it all worth it!

Ep. 5|Artist Adam Port on Painting for Michael Jordan, His Art Journey, His Deal W/ The NBA +MORE!

This episode is particularly special to me cause it combines 3 worlds that are near and dear to my heart, sports, sneakers and art. What more could you ask for right? Today’s guest is none other than well renown photorealist, Adam Port, who’s done portraits for some of the biggest stars we know, from Michael Jordan and Jay-Z, to Larry King, Carmelo Anthony and Mike Vick and even had an exclusive licensing deal with the NBA! A Long Island native, Adam discusses his time spent growing up there, his exposure to the culture that resonates so much in his work and his decision to attend Syracuse University, which ultimately changed his life forever. In this episode we discuss many things and realized we have a lot in common, from our shared left handedness, our love for sneakers and the PROPER all-time NBA ranking of the late Kobe Bryant (the rest of his top 5 might be debatable, Lebron fans, you might want to brace yourselves😂.) Like always I hope you all enjoy and thank you for the continued support. As you obviously know because you’re listening right now, the Up and Coming Podcast is now available on ALL streaming platforms, so you’ll be able to exclusively listen to the audio wherever podcasts are available. Thank you all again and enjoy!

Ep. 4|Ginjan Bros on Black Ownership, The Ginjan Story, Misconceptions About Africa, Advice & More

Forget interview—this might be one of the most important CONVERSATIONS I’ve ever had. The Ginjan Bros story is one that can literally inspire anyone who comes across it. As immigrants from Guinea they were tested at every part of their journey from facing homelessness, a stint in a juvenile detention facility due to extremely strict immigration laws, and much more but they prevailed time and time again. These are two of the smartest, determined, and kind-hearted guys I’ve ever met and that is shown over the course of our sit-down. In this episode we speak about everything from the importance of black ownership, the racial inequality that shows itself at the business level, the MANY misconceptions about Africa and its people and so MUCH more, Rahim even teaches me how to make their signature Ginjan drink! If you haven’t yet please go check out and support the Ginjan Bros, you can find their phenomenal products in Whole Foods, Wal-Mart and Amazon, or you can take a trip down to their Harlem cafe and meet the guys in person. I am privileged to have had one of the most honest and transparent interviews I’ve ever done. Thank you for listening!

Ep. 3|Peekskill Rapper Big Mont Talks SBCB, Pharrell, Success, New Music, Ebro Shoutout & More!

By far the most fun I've ever had conducting an interview. SEVEN WHOLE MONTHS- is how long we waited to sit down and shoot this interview! From hectic schedules to last-second changes, COVID, and everything in between, we FINALLY MADE IT HAPPEN and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I just got a chance to interview one of my favorite rappers! And we just so happen to be from the same city. It’s one thing to be a fan of someone from afar, but when that person walked the same streets as you and speaks on some of the same struggles you face, it hits different. @bigmontsdot is BY FAR one of the dopest and most creative individuals I’ve ever met. From his wordplay to Kanye-esque soul samples, he possesses all the tools to be the next leader of the rap game. Fresh off the one year release of his album, Scatterbrain Crackbaby, which has garnered praise and co-signs from the likes of Ebro Darden, Pharrell, Travie Mccoy, Chad Griffith, and many more. Mont is on a quest for more and I’m fortunate to have had a front-row seat to the process.