The Journal

Stories Behind the Lens

Updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes access to the "Framing Houston: Men of the Moment" campaign.

Men of the Moment Campaign
Featured Story

The Vision Behind "Men of the Moment"

What happens when you bring together Houston's most compelling Black male creatives under one lens? You get more than photographs—you get a movement. Discover the origin story of this groundbreaking editorial project.

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Photoshoot Setup
January 15, 2026 • 5 min read

What to Expect at Your Session

First time in front of a professional camera? Here's everything you need to know before stepping into the studio—from grooming tips to striking your best pose.

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Casting Call Room
January 10, 2026 • 7 min read

Black Excellence in Focus: Houston's Creative Renaissance

Houston is experiencing a cultural explosion. From Beyoncé to Megan Thee Stallion, the city has always been a breeding ground for talent. Now it's time to shine the spotlight on the next generation.

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Social Media Campaign
December 28, 2025 • 4 min read

The Aggressive Social Media Strategy

When the embargo lifts in February 2026, we're not just posting—we're dominating. Here's a sneak peek at the viral strategy behind the campaign launch.

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The Vision Behind "Men of the Moment"

January 16, 2026 • Written by Dr. Goodluck Ijezie-Desbois

In the sprawling metropolis of Houston, Texas—a city that has birthed icons from Beyoncé to Travis Scott—there exists a vibrant, often overlooked community of Black male creatives whose stories deserve to be told with the same cinematic grandeur afforded to their more famous counterparts.

"Framing Houston: Men of the Moment" was born from a simple yet revolutionary idea: What if we treated every Black man with a dream the same way we treat celebrities? What if we gave them the editorial treatment, the professional lighting, the styled looks, and the platform they deserve?

The Origin Story

The project began in late 2025 when Dr. Goodluck Ijezie-Desbois, founder of Reminiscent Road Media, partnered with Damon Hoyle of Open Door Ventures LLC. Both shared a frustration with the narrow representation of Black men in mainstream media and advertising.

"We see the same five archetypes repeated endlessly—the athlete, the entertainer, the cautionary tale. But what about the architect designing Houston's skyline? The teacher shaping the next generation? The entrepreneur building generational wealth? Those are the men we want to celebrate."

The concept evolved into a curated editorial experience: a high-fashion photoshoot that would capture the essence, ambition, and diversity of Black male identity in Houston.

More Than a Photoshoot

Unlike traditional modeling opportunities that extract value from participants, "Men of the Moment" operates on a collaborative model. Participants receive professional-grade images, attribution credit, and—most importantly—ownership of their narrative.

Each participant is interviewed about their goals, their craft, and their vision for the future. These stories will accompany the images when the campaign launches in February 2026, creating a multimedia portrait of Black excellence in Houston.

The Aggressive Launch

When the social media embargo lifts next month, the campaign will be impossible to ignore. With over 50 participants already signed on, the coordinated content rollout will flood Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn with a unified message: Houston's moment is now.

This isn't just about visibility. It's about legacy. It's about creating a body of work that future generations can look back on and say, "This is who we were. This is what we aspired to be."

Ready to be part of the movement? Apply through our Future Casting page.

What to Expect at Your Session

January 15, 2026 • The Production Team

Congratulations! You've been selected to participate in "Framing Houston: Men of the Moment." Whether you're a seasoned model or stepping in front of a professional camera for the first time, this guide will ensure you arrive prepared and leave legendary.

Before the Session

1. Grooming Standards
Arrive with your hair freshly cut or styled (within 2-3 days of your session). If you have facial hair, ensure it's shaped and maintained. Moisturize your skin the night before—hydrated skin photographs better.

2. What to Bring
We will style you, so there's no need to bring wardrobe. However, if you have accessories with personal significance (a watch, ring, or chain), feel free to bring them. They can add authenticity to your look.

3. Rest & Hydration
Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep the night before. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and excessive sodium—both cause puffiness.

On Set

Arrival
Arrive 15 minutes early. We operate on a tight schedule, and punctuality is non-negotiable. When you arrive, you'll check in with our production assistant and be directed to wardrobe and styling.

The Vibe
Our studio operates with focused professionalism. There are no plus-ones or guests allowed. This ensures a distraction-free environment where you can fully embody the energy we're capturing.

Direction
Don't worry if you've never modeled before. Our photographers are experts at direction. Trust the process. You'll receive real-time feedback on posture, expression, and positioning.

After the Session

Within 2-3 weeks of your session, you'll receive five (5) fully retouched, watermarked digital images. Remember: the social media embargo is in effect until February 2026. Do NOT post any images publicly until we give the green light.

"The best sessions happen when participants trust us and embrace the moment. Forget the camera. Just be yourself—the powerful, ambitious, creative person you are."

Questions? Contact us at info@reminiscentroadmedia.com

Black Excellence in Focus: Houston's Creative Renaissance

January 10, 2026 • A Cultural Commentary

Houston, Texas. The fourth largest city in America. Home to NASA, the world's largest medical center, and a cultural footprint that has shaped global music, fashion, and art. Yet when the world thinks of "creative hubs," they still default to Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta.

That's about to change.

The Birthplace of Gravity-Defying Culture

Long before "chopped and screwed" became a household term, Houston was incubating a unique sound. DJ Screw, the Geto Boys, and later icons like Beyoncé, Travis Scott, and Megan Thee Stallion proved that Houston doesn't follow trends—it creates them.

But music is just one dimension. Houston's visual arts scene is exploding. From the murals of Midtown to the galleries of the Third Ward, Black artists are redefining what it means to create from this city.

The Next Wave

"Framing Houston: Men of the Moment" isn't just documenting this renaissance—it's actively participating in it. By capturing the faces of emerging actors, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and creatives, the project is creating a time capsule of this pivotal era.

"Every great cultural moment needs documentation. In 50 years, people will look back at this project and see the faces that defined Houston's creative golden age."

The participants in this project aren't waiting to be discovered. They're building. They're creating. They're networking with each other and forming the collaborations that will produce Houston's next wave of cultural exports.

Why Representation Matters

When young Black boys in Houston see themselves reflected in aspirational imagery—not as stereotypes, but as multidimensional humans with dreams and ambitions—it expands their sense of possibility. "Men of the Moment" is, at its core, a representation project.

We are deliberately creating the imagery we wish existed when we were growing up. Images of Black men who are tender and tough. Creative and business-minded. Individual and community-oriented.

Houston's moment is now. The question is: will you be part of it?

The Aggressive Social Media Strategy

December 28, 2025 • Marketing Breakdown

When "Framing Houston: Men of the Moment" officially launches in February 2026, we're not tiptoeing onto social media. We're arriving with the force of a cultural avalanche. Here's the strategy.

The Coordinated Drop

On launch day, over 50 participants will post simultaneously. Every image tagged. Every hashtag aligned. The algorithm won't know what hit it. When you see the same high-quality aesthetic flooding your feed from 50+ accounts at once, curiosity becomes inevitable.

Primary Hashtags:
#MenOfTheMoment #FramingHouston #ReminiscentRoadMedia #HoustonCreatives #BlackExcellence

Content Waves

Week 1: The Reveal
Full editorial images drop. Each participant shares their styled portraits with a personal statement about their craft and vision.

Week 2: Behind the Scenes
The embargo on BTS content lifts. Participants share candid moments from their sessions—the energy, the styling process, the camaraderie.

Week 3: The Stories
Video interviews drop. Each participant shares their journey, their goals, and their connection to Houston's creative community.

Week 4: Community Engagement
Live Instagram sessions, Twitter/X Spaces, and LinkedIn articles featuring participants discussing their industries and offering advice to emerging creatives.

The Viral Mechanics

We've studied what makes content spread. High-contrast visuals. Emotional storytelling. Community participation. "Men of the Moment" has all three.

"We're not hoping for virality. We're engineering it. When 50+ people with diverse networks all amplify the same message simultaneously, reach becomes exponential."

The campaign is designed to trend locally first (Houston), then expand regionally (Texas), and ultimately resonate nationally. By the time mainstream media notices, the grassroots movement will already be unstoppable.

February 2026. Mark your calendars. The moment is coming.