We’re gearing up for one of our favorite events down here in Texas, the biannual H-town Sneaker Summit. Taking place Sunday, December 27th from 3-8pm, the 35,000 sq ft Meridian will be a packed full of sneakers, streetwear, art, as well as live music and skateboarding. This year’s special guest include the legendary Bobbito Garcia and Levi Maestro of “Maestro Knows. ” Maestro will debuting the release of his very first “Maestro Knows” tee shirt at the event. Also on the list of exclusive freshness, will be our own Benny Gold x Desired Hearts “Heart of Gold” tee done in a SUPER limited Texas colorway.
In anticipation of the event, we caught up with event creator, Kadoma to bring you a little insight on who he is and how the whole thing got started.
Thanks for taking time to chat with us bro. Tell us a little about yourself.
Well I’m just a kid from Houston,TX who grew up skateboarding in the streets of downtown. I would always keep a fresh pair of kicks to change into after skating, because my shoes would be tore up or some off brand, and I was trying to pull chicks. Back then you couldn’t really get down like that, or maybe I just didn’t have the skills. I don’t know. But over the years shoes became somewhat of a fascination or better yet an addiction. One day I was reminiscing about a pair I had back in the day, and I asked a friend where he thought I could find them. He hipped me to the well known sneaker forum Niketalk, and that’s when I realized that this was no longer a hobby of some sort, it was a freaking world wide phenomenon! From there I started the H-Town Sneaker Summit and its taken me to great places and helped me meet great people. My main focus is making each Summit event better. I handle pretty much everything behind the scenes including art direction, coordinating, promoting, and even designing our event merchandise. But in my downtime, if you want to call it that, I write for Sneaker News and Freshness Magazine, which are part of the Complex Magazine Network. I also write for Frank151 Media Group als
o out of New York, but they also have satellite offices in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Barcelona. I am the lead sneaker and fashion editor for their Houston Grills distribution team. I also am featured on a couple of radio shows; The Houston Sports Rapp here in Houston, which is a more urban and youthful look at the world of sports, and Obsessive Sneaker Disorder, the Worlds first and only entirely sneaker themed talk show. I also do a lot of consulting, marketing, and even art direction and design for some boutiques and brands. Some people may look at all that and say geeze that’s a lot of work! But the whole of sneaker culture is a deep passion of mine and I really enjoy working with it.
o out of New York, but they also have satellite offices in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Barcelona. I am the lead sneaker and fashion editor for their Houston Grills distribution team. I also am featured on a couple of radio shows; The Houston Sports Rapp here in Houston, which is a more urban and youthful look at the world of sports, and Obsessive Sneaker Disorder, the Worlds first and only entirely sneaker themed talk show. I also do a lot of consulting, marketing, and even art direction and design for some boutiques and brands. Some people may look at all that and say geeze that’s a lot of work! But the whole of sneaker culture is a deep passion of mine and I really enjoy working with it.The DH crew is all about the H-Town Sneaker Summit. Care to tell everyone about the event, how it got started and how they can get involved?
Well the H-Town Sneaker Summit started in December of 2004. A group of sneaker enthusiast from Niketalk kept talking about having a local get together to show what they had. I was one of the few that helped in taking the bull by the horns and getting things organized in its early stages. When I look back on it now I guess that was pretty natural since I was one of the older guys. The first few events were really funny. Very few people would bring a whole bunch to show or display, most everyone just wanted to come check out the goods. But everyone would wear their heat. That one special pair that they deemed perfect for the event. A few times people would even buy the shoes right off other folks feet and send them home in socks! From there it just grew, pretty much doubling in size with every event. We went from Sports Bars, to Night Clubs, and now we are at one of the largest independently owned concert venues in Houston, The Meridian. It’s definitely been a trip, the event itself has turned into something I never imagined. I feel really blessed to be surrounded by and meet so many new people that share the same passion for sneaker culture. Its those type of people that really drive the event and help push it to the next level. If you feel that is you, then you should definitely hit up our website and give us a shout to see how you can play a part. I’m really happy the event is community driven and focused. It is a place where someone can go and feel like they participated and played a part, rather than feel like just a spectator.
What’s been your biggest obstacle with planning an event like this? Your biggest reward?
My biggest obstacle is probably working with so many different people; from brands, to stores, and participants, and then everyone has a different work ethic. I’d like to think that I myself have a very strong work ethic, and I try my best to stay on top of things. So if folks are on their shit I could seem like a pest at times, but then some other folks are not really on point, and at those times I can be a life saver. I would say my biggest reward is also meeting and working with so many different people. A lot of us share the same passion but derive from a totally unique background. Its fun getting to know and learning about those other persons experiences. Another huge reward is being able to watch our community grow over the years and feel that I contributed something to that.
We’re all about passion and we know damn well you’re a passionate person. What drives you?
Really its just that. I love sneakers and I love the city where I’m from and the South in particular. Ive traveled many other places and took the culture in elsewhere, and I do have my favorite vacation spots, but there is something unique here. From day one Ive always had that as my goal, to elevate the culture and community here, to become recognized, and to earn and bring respect. Years ago I really didn’t think it was fair that New York and Cali were getting all the hot exclusive sneaker releases. Down here in the South you had people who were just as passionate, but we would have to fight over a single size run at a single store, if we got them at all. That was one of my main goals in the beginning, to bring the hot shit to Houston. Now I feel that we have pretty much accomplished that, even though we still get put in our place from time to time. The main mission now is to just keep growing and elevating the community while giving back to it.
If you had one word to define yourself, which one would it be? (Note: “Badass” isn’t allowed)
Right now? Broke! Ha Ha! But I’m not sure, after I work with people for the first time, they always call me a “machine” or “robot”. I really try my best to stay focused, and be professional, and make sure everything is on point. I never stop and I never give up until I accomplish my goal.
We know you have huge love for Texas (as we do) What is it about Texas, including H-town, that you love so much? – OR – Why Texas?
Well I was born and raised here. I have traveled around enough to realize that there really is no place like home. I even stayed out in Cali for a minute but I had to come back home. Like I said there is something unique here. I cant quite put my finger on one thing in particular. Its everything really; music, culture, fashion, food, weather, whatever. But if I really had to pin point one thing I would say it is the people. You always hear about Southern Hospitality. How folks treat others really well down South. I think its true. Not to say that there aren’t nice people elsewhere, but I think its just the mentality and the passion of the people that shines bright and makes this place special. Ive met a lot of great people here and it is where I feel the most comfortable.
What can we expect to see next? Any teasers?
I can tell you that our event merchandise this season is a collaboration with our longtime sponsor Akomplice Clothing. I feel by far it will be the hottest thing we have done. We also have the legendary Bobbito Garcia and Levi Maestro of Maestro Knows coming out to this Winters event. Of course there are a couple of more things I’m working on, but I’m more about doing, and less about talking, so you will have to wait to see or hear about those.
Thanks for your time and for your major support of Desired Hearts. Any last words?
Stay true to yourself and the people around you. Do what you love. Everything else will come naturally.
For more info on the event click here.
