For Black Ladies’s Historical past Month, BOSSIP is spotlighting #MelaninMagicMakers who’re leaving indelible marks in leisure, entrepreneurship, and schooling, and a selected storytelling strategist turned civic chief with a pushed mission is an ideal match.
Marie “Pushed” Theodore has a storied profession that has journeyed from trend and music PR to constructing the Marie Pushed model.
Greater than a publicist who’s labored with the likes of Mob Wives’ Renee Graziano and movie star stylist Misa Hylton, she’s a purposeful pivoter who has turned imaginative and prescient into visibility, working throughout music, trend, and media whereas serving to others amplify their voices and develop their attain.
As we proceed spotlighting sistas shaping tradition and carving their very own lanes, check out how this visibility visionary is constructing manufacturers, making strikes, and getting into management together with her new Housing and Block Associations Committee Chair appointment for a New York Metropolis Group Board.
—Dani Canada
We’re well-versed in your work as Co-Founder and Managing Accomplice of Playbook MG. Inform us how you bought began.
I started my profession in PR following an account govt place within the trend trade in 2009, the place I labored with G-Unit by Marc Ecko. This was adopted by a job with Riddim Pushed, a model owned by VP Information. On the time, their model supervisor introduced me in to help with Mid-Atlantic and worldwide distribution. Working as an account govt allowed me to collaborate with these manufacturers and have interaction with main commerce reveals like Coterie. Whereas at Riddim Pushed, I aspired to extra and launched my web site, MarieDrivenOnTheScene, which enabled me to cowl crimson carpet occasions, enter the truth TV area, and write for publications like BET. This was pivotal in constructing the Marie Pushed model. As soon as I spotted I may set up my very own model, I needed to assist others. I began by working with personalities from Unhealthy Ladies Membership, extending their visibility by model offers and different alternatives. Working with OJ Williams, Trend editor of The Supply journal on the time, and music artist Ricky Blaze. Later, I started working with DJ Magic, who was on the rise on the time. I helped him land tv appearances on Good Day NY and arranged profitable occasions that helped him earn a place at Sizzling 97. This served because the blueprint for my public relations profession. In 2011, I reached out to Jean for help in restructuring my firm, previously generally known as Crew Execution, into Playbook MG. He agreed to associate with me, and we now have been making historical past ever since.
Inform us about a few of your purchasers.
At present, my consumer roster contains Superstar Chef Shorne, proprietor of Fats Fowl, who has appeared on Prime Chef, Tamron Corridor, Chef’s Desk, and The At the moment Present. I additionally characterize iconic dancehall artist Mr. Vegas and dressmaker Chuk Collins, whose work has been worn by Kerry Washington, Tamron Corridor, Bailey Bass, the Jonas Brothers, Jimmy Fallon, Thuso Mbedu, Quincy, and Trevor Jackson. Moreover, I work with Detroit-based artist Dank DeMoss, amongst others.
Congrats in your new function as Housing & Block Associations Committee Chair for Group Board 17 in Brooklyn. What led you to this place?
I used to be inspired to pursue this place by my predecessor, the late Roderick Daley. I joined the neighborhood board in Might 2024. In November of that yr, he invited me to a ceremony at Metropolis Corridor the place Mayor Eric Adams honored the NWSL champions, Gotham FC, with the Key to the Metropolis. We had a significant dialog about my life, my motivations for becoming a member of the board, and my skilled background as a publicist. In December, he contacted me concerning the opening for Chair of the Housing and Block Associations Committee that was arising in March. He believed I’d deliver a recent perspective and new power to the function, using my affect to learn the neighborhood.
What does this function imply for the neighborhood as you advocate for tenants’ rights?
As a tenant myself, I perceive the challenges of navigating a system that always feels designed for failure. On this function, I function a voice for the individuals by facilitating workshops and offering the important info wanted to resolve housing points. My major goal is to “Defend Our Privateness” by ending the general public shaming of New York Metropolis residents on their very own doorsteps. It’s unacceptable for delicate monetary particulars or authorized threats to be taped to a entrance door for neighbors and passersby to see.It is a day by day actuality for 1000’s of residents. The present “Nail and Mail” follow permits delicate paperwork to be posted with out an envelope, which is each humiliating and a security threat. These notices can sign to criminals that an house is vacant or {that a} resident is susceptible, and it additionally makes our neighbors targets for predatory deed theft scammers.
What does it imply to you to characterize your Haitian heritage in a management function like this in a borough as various as Brooklyn?
It’s deeply significant to characterize my Haitian heritage on this capability. Typically, these management areas lack illustration from individuals who appear to be me. This function permits me to information my neighborhood by complicated housing points and create impactful occasions that foster unity, resembling collaborating with block associations to host neighborhood gatherings.
You’re a lady of many hats. What’s the most rewarding factor about your work?
Probably the most rewarding facet is witnessing a plan that my staff and I’ve developed come to fruition. Moreover, I discover nice success in sustaining and nurturing long-term relationships with journalists, manufacturers, and media retailers.
As we proceed celebrating Black Ladies’s Historical past Month, which Black girls have had the best affect in your journey?
The ladies who’ve influenced me most are my late grandmother, Gustelia Theodore, and my late mom, Marie Victoria Theodore. My grandmother was an extremely hardworking lady who constructed an empire for our household, retiring by age 45. She owned property in Bushwick, constructed two houses in Haiti, and bought one other in Georgia. My mom was equally devoted, typically working double shifts to supply for my siblings and me. She was deeply concerned in our schooling and was the first investor within the launch of Playbook MG, even earlier than she totally understood the sector of public relations. Though she as soon as hoped I’d turn out to be a nurse, she finally supported my ardour. She instilled in me the significance of monetary stability and self-discipline. I’m actually blessed to have discovered from these two exceptional girls.
What do you like most about being a Black lady in enterprise?
What I like most is the chance to show that we function on the highest ranges of trade and to see our contributions being more and more acknowledged and acknowledged.
What impression do you hope your work has on the following era of Black girls?
I hope my work conjures up the following era of Black girls to pursue their ambitions with confidence. I would like them to know they’re able to attaining no matter they set their minds to, offered they imagine in themselves and take that obligatory leap of religion.
