April 29, 2026
Ownership & Origin
Building Your Brand and Protecting It
The Bay Area has always been a place where culture gets created, exported, and sometimes co-opted. From hyphy to tech innovation to creative movements that go global — this region knows what it's like to build something original and watch the world run with it.
Join us for an honest conversation with those who've turned local culture and artistry into protected, scalable brands. We'll talk about how to grow your audience, protect your creative work, and build something sustainable that's actually yours.
Speaker Line Up
Deric Thompson
Founder
Hyphy Culture and Proof Origin
Gabrielle Elyse Oberes Padre
Founder
GEO Harpistry LLC
FAQs
Who is this event for?
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This event is for founders, creatives, and builders who are turning their cultural roots into brands—and want to protect what they've built. Whether you're launching a business, scaling a creative practice, or figuring out how to own your work without getting co-opted, this night is for you.
If you've ever wondered how to grow your audience without losing your authenticity, or how to make sure your work stays yours, you're in the right place.
What can I expect?
2
This isn't your typical "building a brand" panel. We're getting real about:
How to turn local culture and artistry into something scalable
What it actually takes to protect your creative work (trademarks, copyright, contracts—the stuff they don't teach you)
How to grow your audience while keeping your identity intact
The reality of watching your work get co-opted—and what you can do about it
You'll hear from founders who've built brands rooted in Bay Area culture and successfully protected what they've created. Plus time to connect with others navigating the same questions.
Does it cost money to attend?
3
No, this event is free!
4
What makes you different?
This event is not to sell you a course or pitch you a framework.
This is a conversation by culturally-led founders for culturally-led founders. We're talking about the real challenges of building in the Bay Area—where your culture gets celebrated one day and commodified the next. We center the voices of people who've done it, protected it, and are still building on their own terms.
I’m interested in partnering or sponsoring.
How can I contact you?
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We welcome partners and brands who want to support and show up for our community!
You can reach us via our contact page or email us at info@continusum.org.
