In the summer of 2023 I blessed to be offered an internship position working for SLAM Magazine. Growing up playing and watching basketball, SLAM was one of my favorite sources to see some of my favorite roles models in action. I recall getting a few detentions in middle school for brining my SLAM to “reading time” instead of a book. Needless to say SLAM has always been apart of my love for basketball and sparked my love for media & graphics. At SLAM I worked under the Merchandising/Marketing team, under Delon George and Jorge Lopez, where I made a positive impact on the merchandising team , optimizing product placement and driving sales through strategic display arrangements all while designs a few apparel campaigns. Also, I contributed to content creation, research, and publication support, gaining valuable insights into the basketball media industry. Thank you to all the great people at SLAM for an amazing experience.
Internship Project
During the duration of my internship, my fellow interns were split up into two teams, where we needed to create a campaign for WSlam (Women’s Slam). We all needed to come together and use our strengths for the different departments we worked for to create a full-circle campaign.
My role in the internship project was creating the cover and curating merch to go along with the release of the magazine. As a group, we decided to cover Caitlin Clark, with the tagline being ‘Catching Fire’. Playing off of her playstyle, team colors, and highlight viral plays this is what we came up with. Here is the cover I created for the campaign!
SPRAYPAINT TEE
Graffiti art holds profound significance in the vibrant tapestry of New York City, interwoven with the threads of hip-hop culture and basketball. Emerging as an expressive outlet in the 1970s, graffiti became a visual narrative of the city's urban landscape, reflecting its diversity, struggles, and resilience. The parallel rise of hip-hop culture saw graffiti art become a pivotal element, visually amplifying the lyrical and rhythmic expressions of the genre. This synergy between graffiti and hip-hop created a powerful means for marginalized voices to be heard, forging a cultural movement that redefined art's accessibility and impact. Moreover, the connection to basketball is equally notable, as both graffiti and the sport found their canvases in the city's public spaces. Graffiti-covered courts became sanctuaries for self-expression and athletic prowess, fostering a unique amalgamation of urban art and athleticism. Together, these three realms not only shaped the visual identity of New York City but also manifested the spirit of its people, their stories, and their unbreakable connection to the streets that birthed these iconic cultural movements.
SWEET CHICK COLLAB
As I reflect on my experience working on the Sweet Chick x SLAM apparel/meal collaboration, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride and excitement. As part of the team behind this unique venture, I had the privilege of witnessing the two iconic brands with distinct identities into one remarkable project. Sweet Chick, the New York renowned restaurant chain, was founded in 2013 by hip-hop artist Nasir "Nas" Jones. Their vision was to create a dining experience that combines the best of Southern comfort food with a hip-hop twist. With a focus on delicious fried chicken and waffles, Sweet Chick soon gained a large following and expanded its presence in multiple cities. They have previously worked with ASAP Rocky, Ice Spice, Post Malone and many more pop culture icons. The brand's dedication to quality, authenticity, and a vibrant atmosphere resonated with us at Slam. Collaborating on this project felt like a natural fit, as both companies share a passion for creativity and a commitment to celebrating the people of New York. The collaboration allowed us to bring together the essence of basketball and the soul of hip-hop through captivating apparel designs and a delicious ‘SLAM Meal’.
“CHRIS has worked on many projects with us, from Campaign shoots to graphic design. In many projects we worked on, he took charge…”
Delon George -Marketing Manager/Merchandise
ThE “SUBWAY Line”
The “Subway Line” tells a story of New York City pickup basketball. Traveling stop to stop playing pickup. The lines of the subway map come to togther to make a basketball. This subway basketball map represents the people of New York City and it’s strong ties to pickup culture. The way line is expected to release September 2023. The subway culture in New York City is a vibrant tapestry of diversity and energy that reflects the city itself. As the lifeblood of urban transportation, the subway system serves as a unifying force, connecting people from all walks of life as they navigate the bustling metropolis. Commuters and travelers find themselves immersed in a microcosm of the city's dynamic atmosphere, where musicians' melodies reverberate through tiled corridors, artists transform station walls into captivating canvases, and a medley of languages weaves stories of global connections. The subway is more than just a means of getting around; it's a space where New Yorkers share fleeting moments, exchange knowing glances, and create a rich mosaic of experiences that define the city's unmistakable character.
GILLIE Collab
Gillie Da King, a prominent figure in the hip-hop scene, embarked with us on a marketing collaboration with SLAM. This partnership aimed to fuse the worlds of music and sports by featuring Gillie on iconic covers of Slam Magazine. The promotional campaign showcased Gillie's unique persona and his strong connections to both the music and basketball realms. Through compelling visuals and engaging content, the collaboration not only celebrated Gillie's influence but also highlighted the shared cultural elements between the two. By recreating some iconic covers from the Slam Magazine archive, Gillie Da King effectively bridged the gap between hip-hop and sports, resonating with a diverse audience and leaving a lasting impact on both industries.