January 23rd is a day that I will always remember. For many years I’ve always wanted to bring Snowboarding to the youth in Bed-Stuy. With a lot of support from Burton Chill Foundation, Mountain Creek and inspiring words from Steve Larosilere of Stoked Mentoring, I set out on my mission to make this idea become a reality. I have to admit that being able to ride and travel, we sometimes take all this for granted. Not everyone is fortunate enough to Snowboard. Let’s be real, gear, Snowboards and lift tickets aren’t cheap. this alone singles out of lot of people that would love to get on the hill and give it a shot. As much as I love Snowboarding, I think it’s time that we introduce some new blood into this industry. The progression in riding and innovations in board design are only a small part of what makes Snowboarding so special. The biggest part of Snowboarding are the people. We make up this community and inspire each other to ride and take it to the next level. I want to give major props to Hoods to Woods Foundation volunteers Omar Diaz and Lauren Smith

“Mr. Brian, do I need to take off my Du-Rag?” “No, be yourself. We are here to Snowboard. It’s cool to have Brooklyn swag on the mountain”

The Homies Game Rebellion are going to make me wild out on the hill with this joint. Cop the album on itune NOW!

It’s a Blue Bird day after a huge five day storm, you and your buds got one last day to go ride before you have to pack it up and fly back home. A beautiful picturesque landscape of fresh pow sitting on the mountains look so good from the ski area. You flash back to the videos of watching Jeremy Jones ripping down a face with Rooster tails spraying with every turn he makes. You are Stoked, this is the day you’ve been waiting for after so many years of Snowboarding, and finally you get to ride some real powder. So you and your crew head out out of bounds to get first tracks. Got to get it in before you head back home right? WRONG! It’s not that simple! This same scenario plays it self out so many times and I cannot stress how important it is to put safety first as a Snowboarder. All the films we watch of our favorite Riders hitting the Back Country don’t show the hours, days, and weeks of preparation before heading out to ride out of bounds.

I took a level 200 Avalanche awareness course at Mt. Baker few years back and it changed my life. The best line of defense is knowledge. Don’t become a victim of the Blue Bird Syndrome. Teton gravity and BCA has a FREE video education series for you. Remember this is just a intro. Please look into taking a class at your nearest learning center. Avalanche.org has listings. Be safe out there and Spread the word!

Teton Gravity and BCA Avi Education series

Watch this video of a actual Burial and Rescue.This my friends is a miracle. Some people aren’t so fortunate to get saved so quick…

Some of you in may know that I’m also a visual artist if you read my profile. When I’m not Snowboarding, I’m in the lab pushing pixels or painting. Check this short clip on the story and inspiration behind my custom limited edition jackets handmade in Brooklyn of course! Some of you know of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The amazing Nigerian musician that created the “Afrobeat” sound. His music and political views were one. He was someone that NEVER backed down from the government and it’s corruption. His music even put his life as risk 24/7 and was thrown in jail and beat down by the police, kicked out of Nigeria, and after all that, he still made his music with the same message! Now that is heart my friends! Fela passed away from AIDS in 1997. He left us with a catalog of serious tunes and messages. When ever you’re in NYC go check out Fela! on Broadway It’s really dope.