SNEAKER INDUSTRY LEADER BIMMA WILLIAMS DEBUTS SEASON TWO OF PODCAST

by Stephen Garner Mar 01, 2021
Bimma Williams

Claima Stories, a podcast committed to addressing the alarming disparity of BIPOC-youth and the sneaker and creative industries, will launch “Claima Stories Season 2,” on Tuesday, March 2nd on Apple Podcast and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

The podcast is hosted by Bimma Williams, a leader working to reset the sneaker industry through helping youth of color break into the business and claim a seat at the table. As a 10-year industry veteran who worked in global entertainment marketing for Nike and has also held positions at Adidas and Saucony, Williams highlights inspirational stories from influential BIPOC industry creatives as only an insider can.

The second season features 20 new episodes, with new episodes airing every Tuesday. The first episode features creative Melody Ehsani, who shares never before heard stories of her journey through the industry.

Other guests include Shannon Maldonado, founder and creative director of YOWIE; Anthony Preme, photographer and owner of Preme magazine; Jeff Staple, founder Staple Design and the Reed Space boutique; Elise Swopes, Chicago-based surrealist photographer; Steve Irby, co-founder of @streetdreamsmag; and Nate Jobe, design director at NikeLab.

“We created Claima Stories to inspire the next generation of BIPOC creatives and ultimately address the disparities of representation within the industry,” said Williams. “As a BIPOC creative myself, I understand how critical it is for BIPOC youth to see meaningful representation within the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industry. Through highlighting these unique and incredible stories from our guests, we hope to create an inspirational roadmap to follow.”

(L-R) BJ Frogozo, co-founder and executive producer; Adrian Anaya, executive music producer and composer; and Williams.

In celebration of season two, Converse has partnered to release an extremely limited-edition Chuck 70, with only 50 pairs being created. The pearl colorway is inspired by the “Chucks and Pearls” movement. To many around the U.S., Chucks and Pearls is a movement that symbolizes breaking barriers, as did Kamala Harris by becoming the first black and brown Vice President of the United States of America.

The premiere episode on season two drops tomorrow, which explores Ehsani’s Persian heritage, combating racism, designing products for women, navigating the sneaker industry as a woman, and of course, Erykah Badu mentorship. Find a sneak preview of the episode below.