What We've Been Up To

The culture doesn’t pause—and neither do our people. August was full of big wins, bold moves, and well-deserved flowers for members of our Oqupi ecosystem. Here’s a look at how our community showed up beyond Oqupi in August:

Jasmine & Cassius

50+ Black Marketers to Watch in 2025

Cassius Clay and Jasmine Fluker were both named to the African American Marketing Association’s 50+ Black Marketers to Watch in 2025 list—Cassius for his Content and Creative Excellence, and Jasmine as a Community Champion. Their recognition highlights not only individual brilliance but also the collective power of innovation, storytelling, and community impact within our ecosystem.

Janelle

Officially a Sommelier in the Making

Janelle earned her WSET Level 2 Wine Certification, officially stepping into the path of becoming a sommelier. For her, wine isn’t just about taste—it’s about creativity, storytelling, and expression. She’s blending her love for culture with her new expertise to spark conversations and experiences that show how wine, like art or music, can connect people in powerful new ways.

Ashley

Designing for Community & Celebration

Ashley brought her creative touch to two powerful projects this month—helping bring Plants and Prosecco to life with The Plant Project at their new M-K-T Heights location and assisting with décor design for Philly Connect’s 10-year anniversary gala. Both events spotlighted the brilliance of Black women entrepreneurs, and Ashley’s contributions added to their legacy.

Branda & Jasmine

A Nonprofit Partnership in Motion

And in a spirit of collaboration, Branda Johnson and Jasmine Fluker secured a new 18-month contract with a California-based nonprofit, combining their expertise in communications to expand impact beyond Houston. This kind of partnership is exactly what Oqupi stands for—shared growth, shared vision.

So What’s Next?

We’re not slowing down. Oqupi is a living ecosystem—where creators, storytellers, strategists, and cultural builders link up to shape the future of Houston’s creative scene. Want to stay in the loop or collab on something? Join our newsletter or hit us up at oqupihouston.com.

Let’s keep building the culture, together.