Hella Bay: Protecting Culture, Perfecting the Hustle and Keeping our Cool

On this episode, prepare to get hella Bay as we chat Filipino-Mexican fusion food, gentrifying communities, and musical healing.

Episode Notes:

Sponsor: You’re a newly married DINK (double income no kids) and someone suggests you consider buying life insurance but you’re not sure why? Check out the latest advice on when and why to purchase life insurance on the most recent segment of Ask Rickey! Ask Rickey! is brought to you by Rickey Bowen, CRPC, CEP, financial planner with Gateway Financial Advisors, Inc.

Venue: Shoutout to Peerspace for providing a platform to find meeting/event venues across the Bay and specifically to the great team at Covo for their space.

Join the Circle: As a member of The Ambassadors Circle, you are joining like-minded individuals on a mission to inspire and equip all of us to #DoMoreGood. Click here to learn more!

Guest Profiles

McKenzy (Mack) Germain, President & CEO, Koffee Global
An extraordinarily progressive advocate for People of Color. McKenzy is the President & CEO at Koffee Global. In 2016, Koffee Global was developed to serve as a Q&A platform for black people. Today, Koffee Global is a digital publication, which manifests his passion for connecting with like-minded people and expanding global communities. In 2007, Germain acquired his MFA at the Academy of Art University, then began a two-year journey as a teacher at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, California. In 2010, he launched his career in Los Angeles, with a five-year specialization VFX & 3D animation operations. In 2015, Germain transitioned into a Silicon Valley marketing role. McKenzy’s work and passion are deeply informed by his upbringing--a second generation Haitian, who grew up in New York and Haiti. McKenzy is a member of the Bay Area National Urban League. Koffee Global Website | Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | IG

Kathleen Hall, Curator, Ambassador
Realtor, Zephyr Real Estate
Kathleen was born and raised in the Bay Area and currently lives in San Francisco with her husband and two children. She holds a MFA in painting from the San Francisco Art Institute and is a real estate agent at Zephyr Real Estate. Her artistic background has helped her develop a keen eye and appreciation for the city’s distinctive properties and architectural buildings. She is a retired Bay Area Derby Girl and skated with the Richmond Wrecking Belles for 5 years. In her spare time, Kathleen keeps her mind clear and refreshed by roller skating and working on her art. Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

Evan Kidera, Co-Founder, Señor Sisig

If anyone has redefined contemporary street food in San Francisco, it’s longtime pals Evan Kidera and Gil Payumo’s Señor Sisig fusion food truck. With their special twist on a Filipino happy hour dish, sisig, Señor Sisig took the portability of their favorite Mexican taqueria dishes with the popularity of sisig. Though sisig is traditionally made from parts of the pig’s head, Señor Sisig’s more palatable version uses the meatier pork shoulder. Though Gil and Evan met in high school in Daly City, California, and followed their own respective paths, Evan receiving his MBA at San Francisco State and Gil graduating from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy, entrepreneurship and food runs deep in both of their families’ bloodlines. It was only a matter of time before their shared love of Filipino food would turn into a fusion rolling restaurant, with Chef Gil at the grill and Evan at the wheel. Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | IG

Martin Luther McCoy, Co-Founder, Rebel Soul SF
Singer, songwriter, and San Francisco native Martin Luther is on a mission to bring his signature mix of blues-drenched R&B, funk, rock, and old school soul to audiences worldwide. Rising to international attention for his extensive work with The Roots and Cody ChesnuTT, Martin Luther is perhaps best known for his on-screen role as the Jimi Hendrix inspired character “Jo-Jo” and performance of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” in director Julie Taymor’s Oscar-nominated 2007 Beatles tribute film Across the Universe. He made a memorable appearance in Dave Chappelle’s 2005 concert film Dave Chappelle’s Block Party. Steeped in gospel music from his childhood in church, Martin Luther began songwriting at a young age. He has recorded and performed with artists including Dave Matthews, Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Zion I. He founded the Rebel Soul Music label in 1999, releasing several albums. Check out Martin Luther’s music here. LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | IG | YouTube

What’s the 411:

• Peaceful, Disruptive Protesters Shut Down I-580 in Oakland
• Effort to oust judge in Stanford swimmer case temporarily halted
• Safe drug injection site recommendations due in San Francisco
• Golden Gate Bridge Sues Daredevil Climbers
• A tech billionaire blocked public beach access. A court just forced him to open it up.
• Ford GoBike’s had a rough roll-out in San Francisco, Oakland
• Google in alt-right’s crosshairs after firing engineer

Top 5 Events:

• • Acoustic Soulfest 2017, August 19, at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in San Francisco. 360BayArea guest Martin Luther McCoy will be headlining, with special guest Jesus Diaz. Free, family friendly event!
  • Art & Soul Oakland, August 19-20. Downtown Oakland’s flagship Art & Soul festival keeps it fresh and fun with a jam-packed 17th annual showcase of local art, music and culture. Neo-soul sensation Goapele, Grammy-nominees Los Rakas and Angie Stone, and BET Sunday Best winner Tasha Page-Lockhart fuel a stellar lineup of 30+ bands on three stages. Also, a high-flying turf dance competition, kiddie carnival, artisan marketplace ─ plus great food, wine and craft beer.
  • Stern Grove Festival~ Brazillian Girls and Moon Hooch, August 20, 2 pm in San Francisco. Hailing from New York City, GRAMMY-nominated group Brazilian Girls are a dance floor-friendly and eclectic blend of electronic dance music reflecting styles as diverse as jazz, bossa nova, reggae, and lounge. Explosive horn and percussion trio Moon Hooch first gained a following busking in the New York city subway, but have since moved on to much larger stages with their modern-day jazz fusion.
  • Night Light Multimedia & Performance Festival at SOMArts, Aug 25 & 26. A luminous festival with performances and art installations celebrating radical self-determination through the work of over 60 artists. Tickets
  • Turn up for the Learn Up- Cocktail Party & Book Drive, Aug 26, 2 - 7 pm at Room 389 in Oakland. Bring a children’s book for 3-5 year olds, which will benefit the East Bay Children’s Book Project.

Time For Some Action:
After the events in Charlottesville, it is very clear that leadership in the White House such as Steve Bannon (creator of Breitbart), Sebastian Gorka (actual Nazi), and Stephen Miller (alt-right member) are indeed emboldening these extremist. If you think they should be removed from our White House please call your representatives and insist that they be relieved of their duties.

White House: 202-224-3121
Congress: 202-456-1414

Production Credits: 
Sound Design by Courtney Grace with Hosts Becca, LT, Christianne Harder and j-
Guest Relations by Andrea Rush with Production Assistance by Jen Huynh
Content Development by Sophia Cross
360BayArea Intro Music by Courtney Grace with vocals by ElleT

Featured Music + Clips:  
Courtney Grace - Ask Rickey Theme Music, What’s the 411 Theme Music                                       
Beatzunami “Chocolate Muffin”
Marcos H “Beach House”
Martin Luther McCoy “For You”, “Ms. America”, “Daily Bread”, “No Place Like Home”
Phil David “We Chillin” and “Spin Cycle”
Fable & The World Flat “Give It Up, Don't Give It Away”
Tomer Ben Ari “Even The Sparks”
Evolv “I’ll Be Alone”
Jake Bradford “Effronte”
Oliver Michael “Timebide”
The Town Shop “Befun”
Yanivi “The Monkey Funk”
Drake “Grammys”
Serge Quadrado “Brazil”

Last Word: The iconic Nelson Mandela, as interviewed by Oprah Winfrey