Summary
Every year, thousands of cyclists and volunteers take on the 545-mile journey along the California Coast, united by a shared mission: to raise critical funds for HIV/AIDS medical care and social support. As a proud member of the AIDS/LifeCycle Brown Brakers team, I had the honor of designing distinctive riding kits that not only embodied the spirit of the ride but also amplified awareness for Black and Brown communities.
Guided by the team’s vision, I crafted contemporary, one-of-a-kind designs that merged strength, purpose, and style. Each kit was infused with a unified message, creating a visual narrative that celebrated resilience and solidarity. Through this initiative, we transformed functional gear into a powerful tool for advocacy, fostering connection and driving positive change.
This project exemplifies my commitment to using design as a force for good—blending creativity, storytelling, and purpose to inspire action and elevate underrepresented voices.
2019 Brown Brakers Cycling Kit
The 2019 AIDS/LifeCycle riding kit design was inspired by the diverse journeys we all take—unique paths that lead us to different places, yet always riding together toward a shared goal. This abstract interpretation celebrated unity in diversity, while also addressing critical social issues.
Key design elements included bold awareness messages, such as “Speaking Truth to Power,” and striking visuals that highlighted HIV mortality statistics by race. The arm designs featured a poignant pink triangle motif, symbolizing the lives lost to HIV/AIDS—a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for equity and justice.
Crafted using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
2018 Brown Brakers Cycling Kit
In 2018, My first year as a cycling participant and fundraiser for the annual AIDS Lifecycle marathon. The design theme for this year’s kit inspired by the momentous event that had broken its participation record to 3000+ riders.
The riding kit showcased distinct and impactful statistics concerning black and brown communities, boldly displayed on the back of each ensemble. To strike a visual equilibrium, the potent and sincere messages were harmonized with a simplified illustrative approach. This design encapsulated our journey’s span from the starting point (SF) to the destination (LA), with every town we touched along the route adorned in a pink hue.
Brown Brakers 2020 BLM Edition
During the height of the international protest of 2020 concerning racial injustice and inequality, I felt compelled to create a design that embodied the feelings of the Brown Brakers at that time. In this application, I felt there was not a design I could create to convey a strong enough message about this subject. So in my mind, I felt a simple reminder could say more than I ever could. The uncomplicated design: of the names, dates, along with the years of those killed by police officers, struck me as the way to get this message across. Staying with that theme, the middle of the torso and back areas’ concept represents the loss of life and violence against the black and brown communities.
2020
American Heros
The designs showcased an amplified rendition of the team’s distinctive emblem, magnifying the essence of Brown Brakers’ journey. This reinterpretation infused the flight motif with striking red, white, and blue hues from the flag. The riding kit was adorned with a captivating gear wheel pattern, symbolizing movement, and featured impactful messaging. This messaging shed light on the influential force of voting, underlining statistics that underscored the pivotal role of robust black and brown community participation in shaping the national voice.
Brown Hero Legacy Design
The Brown Hero Design empowered me by weaving a narrative of queer black and brown individuals harnessing the ability to become their aspirations. No superhero costume is needed to signify our unity as brown communities. In this ride, I aimed to convey the message that embracing oneself is the ultimate superpower. Through this, I aspired to both inform and inspire individuals on their unique life journeys.
Brown Brakers' Bond Legacy Design
The genesis of this design concept emerged from the abstract notion of intertwining black and brown lines, forming a complex, interconnected tapestry that mirrors life’s journey. The simplicity of the illustrated design belies its profound visual impact, adorning the rider’s torso with an allure that sparks curiosity and conversation. The interplay between the design and the messaging on the back of each kit evokes a captivating narrative, inviting contemplation and dialogue.
Braker Hero Legacy Design
Similar to the Brown Hero design, the Braker Hero design offers an alternate color narrative, complementing its counterpart. This version is aligned with the Brown Hero design, centering around a pink triangle on the shirt. The pink triangle serves as a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and solidarity. On the reverse side, engaging facts and messages await, sparking thoughtful reflection.