Local Hero: Honoree Brandon 'Stix' Salaam-Bailey, Serving the Underserved
Nominee Name: Brandon "Stix" Salaam-Bailey
Title: Rapper, record producer, songwriter and entrepreneur
Organization/Business: Thinkwatts Foundation
Website: thinkwatts.com and thinkwattsfoundation.org
"Stix is a multifaceted leader from Watts, who has used his music career and entrepreneurship as a jumping off point to build grassroots activations that empower the community. From financial literacy and entrepreneurship training, to housing and meal programs, Stix creates solutions for both the immediate and long-term needs of the communities he serves. He has also worked closely with local professional sports teams, such as LAFC, the LA Rams, and the LA Clippers, to build meaningful partnerships that positively impact the community."
— Bobby Kobara, nominator
About Brandon 'Stix' Salaam-Bailey
Brandon "Stix" Salaam-Bailey (born July 13, 1983) is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter, activist and entrepreneur. Salaam-Bailey was born and raised in Watts has been greatly influenced his career in music and entertainment. He has collaborated with some of today's biggest stars like Iggy Azalea and Steve Aoki. He has also been onstage as a supporting act to rap icons such as Snoop Dogg, Warren G, DJ Quik and more. Through his Thinkwatts Foundation, he works to help underserved communities.
In 2018, Thinkwatts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was created to focus on food insecurity, financial literacy/entrepreneurship, environmental justice and sports facility refurbishments/skills programming. To date, the foundation has helped more than 40,000 residents in seven cities across Los Angeles County. The Thinkwatts Foundation has partnered with major corporations and organizations like Mastercard, the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles FC, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Clippers, Kaiser Permanente, AT&T and more to assist with creative programming for underserved communities.
Thinkwatts Foundation's current focus is finding a location for its headquarters. The space will have co-working desks and offices for small business, coding classes as well as financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career development training for underserved residents. It will also house a makers space with computers, an embroidery machine and a direct to garment printer.
