About The Green

Our History
Vision Media & Communications, LLC is a privately-owned multimedia publishing firm committed to reaching the untapped affluent multicultural market through print and broadcast venues. Since its June 2004 inception, The Green Magazine has enjoyed an international audience that continues to grow. Vision Media is planning a network/cable television program to complement The Green's focus on travel, luxury, and golf called “The Green TV.” The projected timeline for the program's launch is early 2008.

Our People

President Ina J. Samuels-Martinez
Ina is the founding president of Vision Media & Communications LLC and The Green Magazine. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, Ina has been instrumental in the development of the company’s mainstream and grassroots marketing efforts and its resultant alliances with automotive, luxury, destination, and hospitality industries. She has also made key inroads to the private sector, gaining support from public service organizations like The First Tee, the American Heart Association and the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Society. As the chief marketing officer, Ina has also secured national engagements from Level Vodka, Merrill Lynch, American Airlines, and the N’Namdi Art Galleries in efforts to reach the professional/entrepreneurial multicultural market nationwide.

Ina is also the recipient of the 2005 Urban League of Bergen County Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Harlem Women of Excellence Award and an achievement award from the Hispanic Business Council. She is also an active member of the United States Golf Association. As a Guatemalan native, Ina is committed to representing the good life well lived for people of every color, but her aspirations transcend cultural concerns. As a recent breast cancer survivor, Ina is also committed to bringing awareness to a disease that has touched so many families. Ultimately, Ina is most fiercely proud of her greatest source of joy—daughters Chelsea, 14 and Samantha, 9—who she calls “her pieces of sunshine.”

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor-In-Chief

Sobukwe Odinga

Sobukwe served as an editor of Black Renaissance, New York University’s journal of Afro-diasporic culture and politics. He has conducted field and archival research throughout the US, Trinidad, Ethiopia, Ghana and Tanzania on topics ranging from hip-hop to economic development. Odinga has also co-directed an independent documentary on youth culture in East Africa that is in post production. He holds an M.A. from NYU and a B.A. from Louisiana State University. Born and raised in New Orleans, he is now a resident of Harlem.

CREATIVE STAFF

Creative Director

Kanan Whited

Kanan Whited broke into the field of editorial graphic design directly after graduating from the University of Florida, Gainesville. His education background includes graduating from the Academy of Graphic Design at his high school and earning a degree in Graphic Design in Print Publications, Journalism from the University of Florida. Not only is he passionate about design, but he also devotes his time to the not-for-profit organization Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation, Inc. of which he is on the Associate Board.

ADVERTISING & SALES

Senior Vice President, Business Development

Michele Steele

Michele is a seasoned advertising professional who has worked in several areas of the advertising industry—media planning, media buying, account management, and now advertising sales. Michele began her advertising career at Young & Rubicam/Chicago. She then eventually moved on to mainstream agencies Wells, Rich, Greene and Foote, Cone & Belding and African-American agencies Carol H. Williams Advertising and Burrell, where she spent the bulk of her agency career. Michele joined The Green Magazine a year ago as SVP and manages Business Development. A native Chicagoan, Michele enjoys time with her family, long walks, good books, exciting travel and all kinds of delicious vegetables.

Advertising Manager

Colin Rock

Colin Rock has over 20 years of print advertising experience with an emphasis on magazines. Before beginning his association with Vision Media & Communications, Colin established careers at major publishing companies such as The New York Times (Family Circle and Fitness magazines) and National Geographic Traveler. His experience with selling the value of multicultural markets to advertisers includes work with API, a national newspaper representative firm for weekly African-American newspapers and Emerge, a socially conscious magazine previously owned by BET. The West New York, New Jersey resident is a graduate of Boston University and the proud father of a wonderful son and daughter.

MARKETING

Public Relations & Special Events Director

Tricia Rubino

Tricia is an integral part of the team responsible for talent relations and publicity for TGM as well as production management of The Green TV, which is scheduled to air in 2007. As a team player, Tricia contributed heavily to the national success of The Green’s Executive Leadership Series in 2006. Before coming to the magazine, she was a sales and marketing coordinator for the New Jersey Nets, for which she later served as manager of basketball operations. In the latter position, she was responsible for the team’s adherence to NBA requirements. In her spare time, she is an active member of the Hope Center Tabernacle in Jersey City.

Publisher/Chief Executive Officer

Rafael N. Martinez

Rafael operates a dynamic commercial finance company using today’s technology to facilitate and expedite the typically long processes associated with factoring and finance. His primary goal is to assist those who are in a position similar to that of his own in the early 90s, and he constantly shares the fruits of his own experiences with young entrepreneurs who would otherwise be destined for mishap. As a result of his financial dealings, he developed an affinity for golf. After five years of a passionate love affair with the game, in June 2004 he launched the unprecedented Green Magazine.

Rafael is the recipient of the 2005 Urban League of Bergen County Entrepreneur of the Year Award and an active member of the Golf Course Superintendents’ Association of America and the Environmental Institute for Golf. One of Rafael’s proudest accomplishments is that of his family—his wife Ina and daughters Chelsea and Samantha—with whom he enjoys extensive travel, chess and golf.