U R Welcome: Reuben "Big Rube" Harley
“U R Welcome” is the brainchild of Reuben “Big Rube” Harley. This is an introduction to his series of interviews with black influencers and tastemakers in Philadelphia discussing race, community and how Philly can be a place where everyone is welcome. When Rube came to Saxbys with the idea, we jumped at the chance to work with him to tell these important stories.
Watch the video here.
Everyone knows Reuben “Big Rube” Harley. He’s the marketing genius who made Mitchell & Ness a household name, and made their authentic throwback jerseys a must-have for celebrities like Jay-Z, Allen Iverson and Puff Daddy. He’s the guy who photographed street style for years with his Street Gazing With Big Rube column in the Philadelphia Daily News. He’s the guy cooking up the best fried chicken in town at pop-up events around the city.
Walking down Chestnut Street with Big Rube during a fall morning, there are people constantly saying hello. One was a well-dressed 30-something man in a suit and tie. Another was a woman who appeared in her 70s. Yet another stopped his car in the middle of the street to give Big Rube a quick hug. They came from all different races, ethnicities and backgrounds. In a way, Big Rube and his never-ending circle of friends are an amalgamation of Philadelphia at its core — a diverse but close-knit group of people.
But Big Rube has seen the harsh realities facing Philadelphia and our country recently. Race relations are tense. Communities are on edge. Far too many people don’t feel welcome. That’s why Big Rube wanted to showcase the Philadelphia he knows best — a diverse, inclusive place that’s worthy of the name the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. So he developed the U R Welcome campaign, a series of interviews with black influencers and tastemakers in Philadelphia to discuss what makes them unique, their views on racial issues facing our nation, and what gets them excited about the future. When he asked Saxbys to partner with him on the project, we naturally jumped at the opportunity.
This campaign is a celebration of community and acceptance across our city. Rube asked to partner with us because he — as well as those he interviewed — see our cafes a hubs for creativity, hospitality and inclusivity.
In the coming weeks, we’ll release photos and interviews of each influencer on social media and our blog. To kick things off, we caught up with Big Rube to chat about the UR Welcome campaign:
Why is it so important to discuss racial issues and the idea of being welcoming to people of all backgrounds?
Racism is an unspoken thing that America hasn’t been able to resolve. We can’t move forward unless it’s talked about. What’s going on today with black people in America is appalling. People are calling the cops on us for just walking down the street. We’ve got to abolish that — especially in the City of Brotherly Love. I want to show the world through this campaign that Philadelphia is moving forward. I want to show people that Philadelphia is a place where everyone — the whole spectrum of backgrounds — is welcome.
Tell us about the people you’ll be featuring in the U R Welcome campaign?
I picked influential black tastemakers who are doing things that shine a light on the diverse and inclusive nature of Philly. One is a doctor. One is a graphic designer. We’ve got clothing designers and a stylist. I’ve known a lot of them for years. I know the texture of their beings. They saw their dreams and ambitions and pursued them. I’m excited to bring their stories and opinions to the world.
Why partner with Saxbys for this project?
Saxbys CEO Nick Bayer has been my friend for years. He’s been doing great things in the community and he’s constantly inviting me out to charitable events with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters. I saw his caring heart. We always said we were going to work together. A few months ago I came up with this idea and I knew Saxbys and Nick were the perfect partner for it. Working with Saxbys is a great vehicle. I wanted to shine a light on this great business, and learn how each of my interview subjects ties Saxbys into their lifestyle — whether they wake up with coffee, tea, hot chocolate or The Daily Grind.
What should we expect?
Beautiful interviews. Just me interacting with these colorful people. I’ll be using my photography to showcase their lifestyles and opinions. When it’s finished, we’ll have a photo exhibit across social media. I’m also going to cater an event with Big Rube’s Fried Chicken. We’re going to show the world that Philly is a welcoming place for everybody.