Naomi Merlain

Marketing Strategist

Junior0-5 years

Open to New Opportunities

About

I entered Howard University planning to become a lawyer—an idea shaped by my immigrant upbringing and first-generation college experience. But after interning for Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, I realized my true purpose was in storyelling. I turned to photography and filmmaking, creating works like The Genesis Project and Hair Like Wool, and producing content for Vogue, Beats by Dre, YouTube’s Black Renaissance, Complex and Converse. Post-graduation, I shaped cultural narratives in fashion and branding—launching LUAR at Pyer Moss’s Your Friends in New York and later working as a Cultural Strategist at Hyphenated.co for brands like Nike, Apple, and Disney. My expertise lies in understanding and shaping culture, amplifying Black stories, and ensuring they take center stage. In 2024, I published my first AdAge article on Black artistry and filmed In the Mourning, an exploration of grief and faith. My career is dedicated to interrogating, reflecting, and progressing Black storytelling across industries.

Brands

Nike

Apple

Disney