Conversations with Robael Gizachew, Jekari Lynch, Yosan Yohannes, Rimon Sium

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robael Gizachew, Jekari Lynch, Yosan Yohannes, Rimon Sium

Hi Robael Gizachew, Jekari Lynch, Yosan Yohannes, Rimon Sium , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all began with a Super Bowl party at my house last year in Oakland. My housemates and I had recently returned from a trip to Tahoe, where we met a lot of new friends. Someone suggested we should host a party after hearing about how we had moved into a townhouse together, so we decided to give it a shot. One of my housemates had been practicing on a DJ controller and was getting really good, so he took on the DJ role. I created a flier, and we posted the event on Partiful.

To our surprise, we got over 100 RSVPs. We thought no one would show up, but as the day arrived, people started pouring in. By 3 PM, the party was in full swing, and all three floors of my house and the garage were packed. The energy was incredible, and the party continued until midnight.

The next day, as we were cleaning up, we watched footage from the party and realized the potential in what we had just done. We—Robael (@robael.g), Rimon (@rimonsium), and Yosan (@aye.yose)—knew we had something special and decided to start Motion Bay Area, focusing on the Bay Area’s social scene. We saw that the social scene here was lacking, especially post-COVID. We noticed there were limited venues, and a lot of events seemed more about making money than creating something unique. So, we set out to change that by finding places other event groups in the Bay Area weren’t really using. Our first big event—a free day party on Memorial Day—took place on the rooftop at Continental Club in West Oakland. It was away from the usual downtown scene, which was cool because it gave us a fresh vibe. We had over 400 people show up, showing how much people enjoy visiting new spots around the Bay.

From the outset, we aimed to reshape the social scene in the Bay Area. We wanted to address the complaints we heard about the lack of diversity in music, the redundancy of venues, and the repetitiveness of events. Inspired by vibrant social scenes in other cities—featuring happy hours, community give-back events, and brunches—we brought these dynamic ideas to the Bay Area. We launched our fall series “Slow Motion” and introduced “The Movement,” celebrating and uplifting the Black community during significant times like Black History Month and Juneteenth. Additionally, we forged partnerships with local organizations, supporting them through ticket sales and contributions from drives held at our events.

Before the pandemic, most venues here curated their own events, often focusing solely on Bay Area music. Post-pandemic, as new event groups emerged, we saw an opportunity to introduce diversity. We prioritized showcasing DJs specializing in a range of genres from the Black diaspora. Our mission was clear: to craft a sonic experience that unites people uniquely and to host out-of-the-box events.

We leveraged partnerships with other groups in different cities doing similar things, and through those connections, we were able to expand into new cities. Since then, we’ve grown to include Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Austin, and Atlanta. With our growth, we rebranded as Motion Spaces to reflect our mission of bringing motion to any space. Motion Bay Area will always be our roots, but our expansion necessitated a broader name. We’re building partnerships and growing, continuing to create unforgettable experiences. Follow us on Instagram at @motionspaces and visit our website www.motionspaces.us to learn more about these events, or feel free to hit us up personally if you have any questions.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We’ve been fortunate to have a supportive community that continues to grow alongside us, but like any business, we’ve encountered our share of challenges. Initially, one of our struggles was defining roles within our larger team. Balancing business management with maintaining professionalism and peak performance posed its challenges. As Motion became more established and our workload increased, our team naturally adjusted. With the challenges we faced, some team members shifted their roles, which led to a streamlined team of four where each of us has clearly defined roles, significantly boosting our operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Another challenge has been staying ahead on social media. In this role, you’re not just managing events; you’re also a part-time accountant, social media coordinator, and more—constantly adapting to the evolving needs of the business. Finding what truly sets us apart amidst countless others is an ongoing endeavor in building our social media presence, especially when it comes to discovering the right type of content that resonates with our audience.

We’ve also had to learn the importance of staying in our lane and finding our niche, all while trusting in the value of delayed gratification. Understanding that timing is crucial and that we can’t rush to the top has been vital. This mindset has helped us remain patient and focused on our long-term goals, ensuring that we grow sustainably and authentically. It’s about trusting the process and recognizing that each step, no matter how small, is a part of our journey towards success.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Robael Gizachew: In my professional life, I’ve been working in tech sales over the past few years. Much of what I do in sales—cultivating relationships, leveraging community, and focusing on delivering exceptional experiences—resonates deeply with what Motion represents. I’m recognized for being a resource hub, not just in my work but also in my passion projects like Motion, where I thrive on connecting people to valuable resources. What I’m most proud of is my resilience. While I wouldn’t claim to have lived the most challenging life, I’ve faced my share of trials. I draw strength from my faith as a Muslim. Believing in God as the best of planners has been instrumental in helping me overcome obstacles and reach new heights. What sets me apart is my embrace of discomfort. I thrive on meeting new people, exploring new experiences, and pushing boundaries. I find excitement in the unknown. Many people settle into routines and comfort zones, but I believe it’s the willingness to venture into the unfamiliar that truly distinguishes one’s journey.

Jekari Lynch: I am a digital media producer and manager. Anything related to producing content, I have a hand in, from social-first vertical content to producing long form interviews. During my college years I became the friend with a disposable camera and camcorder, documenting our days. I’ve since turned it into what I do for a living. It’s hard to say I specialize in one thing, but I do love capturing BTS (behind the scenes) content. I think it’s a fun and important part of storytelling. It seems the most pure and ‘in the moment’ like of just recording your friends. That being said, I’m still the friend showing up to get-togethers and events, cameras in hand. I’m most proud of my ability to grow and develop into whatever roll or project that comes at me. Every opportunity I’ve had has come from advocating for myself and going for what I want. Environments I’ve never been in, work I’ve never specifically done, I can always count on myself to adapt and push myself to do my best work. I think what sets me apart from others is simply being myself. I feel that my work is always a reflection of myself, it’s my creative eye, my production judgment, my passion for creating and seeing it come to life.

Yosan Yohannes: In my personal professional life I’m currently applying for master’s programs in the finance realm, but what I believe to be my main focus/calling is being a connector. Bringing people together to create meaningful interactions and building a sense of community is what drives me to keep going. Creating Motion has been a vessel to fulfill my purpose. The joy I see from different individuals at each event, whether it be someone that’s never been to our events before or someone that comes to every single one, is what brings me the most joy! I believe strong connections are the foundation of thriving communities, and I strive to make every interaction a meaningful one. What I love the most about Motion is our core, we’re built off the love in the communities we’re in, none of the events could happen without that foundation that’s why the Motion will never stop.

Rimon Sium: As a UX/UI designer, I have the privilege of bringing ideas to life through design, both in my full-time role and through freelance projects on the side. My work primarily focuses on enhancing user experiences and creating intuitive interfaces. At Motion, I specialize in translating brainstormed concepts into visually compelling designs that resonate with our audience. I take pride in my ability to blend creativity with functionality, ensuring that every design not only looks great but also serves its purpose effectively. What sets me apart is my dedication to understanding the unique needs of each project and crafting solutions that exceed expectations. I’m most proud of the impact my designs have in enriching user interactions and contributing to the success of diverse projects, both within Motion and beyond.

How do you think about luck?
Robael Gizachew: Luck, whether perceived as good or bad, plays a unique role in everyone’s journey. As a Muslim, I see every experience and outcome as part of God’s divine plan. This perspective shapes how I view challenges and successes in both my personal life and business endeavors. What might seem like luck to some is, to me, a manifestation of divine guidance and wisdom. It’s about embracing the lessons and opportunities presented, knowing that they are all part of a larger plan that unfolds with purpose. In my personal life, I consider myself fortunate. I’ve been blessed with an incredible family, supportive friends, dedicated business partners, and a community we’ve built together that showers us with love and encouragement. While life presents its trials and tribulations, I find solace in the teachings of Islam, which remind us that God does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. In business, this belief has instilled in me a sense of resilience and trust in the journey. It encourages me to approach challenges with patience and faith, knowing that every setback or success is part of a larger, meaningful narrative. This perspective has guided our decisions at Motion, fostering a culture of perseverance and gratitude, where every achievement and obstacle is seen as an opportunity for growth and learning.

Jekari Lynch: I’ve always thought of luck as something very short and temporary. Whether it’s good, but especially bad, I don’t let that moment define the next moment or rest of my day. I give it a quick 5 minutes of “wow, wtf” and then move onto the solution if it calls for one. I also think “luck” more so applies to the small things in life, like finding a great parking spot. The bigger life things, I don’t consider luck as much as I think God just did or didn’t want this for me.

Yosan Yohannes: Luck has been a part of my life deeper than most would know. Since the day I was born I’ve been described as “lucky” to even be alive. Being born extremely premature there was no guarantee that I would even be here so I genuinely take everyday as a blessing. Throughout life luck has shown up in more ways than I could even imagine whether it be socially or professionally. The formation of Motion itself I would deem as great luck, because the day after Robael’s Super Bowl House Party Rimon, Robael, & I were reminiscing over the great time we had and all the random new people that we met the day before. That was our tipping point. We were all sitting around the couch sharing highlights of the party and then it clicked that we needed to create a space where like minded people of the diaspora could come together and just turn up & connect.

Rimon Sium: Luck, whether good or bad, has played a significant role in shaping my journey from Eritrea to America and in my career as a UX/UI designer. Moving to a new country presented challenges, but I consider myself fortunate to have supportive friends and family who have been pillars of strength throughout my transition and beyond. In my professional life, I believe that luck is often intertwined with divine guidance and blessings. I attribute my successes and opportunities to the grace of God, who has guided me through difficult moments and blessed me with career-shaping opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.motionspaces.us
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motionspaces/