An Interview With Martita Mestey
See It Through, No Matter What — There were moments when challenges left us discouraged, but staying committed paid off. For example, producing content for Black Cannabis Week was a big investment of time and resources, but seeing it elevate the event and convert organizers into repeat clients showed us that perseverance turns vision into impact.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Joseph “JoJo” Simmons.
Joseph “JoJo” Simmons is Chief Brand Officer of 3isFor, a New York-based creative studio, redefines storytelling by transforming purpose-driven brands into global cultural movements. JoJo is a cultural influencer, entrepreneur, and advocate transforming storytelling for social good. 3isFor,. The son of hip-hop icon Rev Run of Run DMC, Simmons rose to fame on MTV’s Run’s House (2005–2009), an NAACP Image Award-winning reality series, and later starred in Growing Up Hip Hop (2019–2023). Transitioning from reality TV to purpose-driven leadership, he hosts 3isFor’s For Good Podcast, featured by Amazon Music and Spotify for its candid conversations on mental health and growth in Black and Brown communities, engaging listeners worldwide. As a Last Prisoner Project ambassador and advocate for community empowerment, he earned the 2023 Phoenix Arising Award from the Black Mental Health Alliance. With 552,000 Instagram followers, Simmons leads a global team crafting authentic brand experiences for purpose-driven brands spanning culture, community, and impact, leveraging his audio engineering studies at the Institute of Audio Research to ensure top-tier production quality. A devoted husband and father of two, he inspires action through his global platform.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Thank you for having me! My journey to this career path started during a pivotal moment. I was known from reality TV — Run’s House and Growing Up Hip Hop — but the world shifted after George Floyd’s death in 2020. My business partner, Kris Karl, reached out with a vision to create real impact through storytelling. Together with our co-founder, we saw how cannabis advocacy and purpose-driven narratives could uplift communities, especially Black and Brown ones. That sparked 3isFor, where we craft intentional stories to push positivity, mental health, and social good, ensuring every project resonates and drives change.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
One of the most impactful moments since leading 3isFor was joining Last Prisoner Project in Washington, D.C., for the 420 Unity Day of Action on April 18, 2024. I walked alongside advocates, including Kyle Page and Donte West, who were once incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses and are now free, fighting for others still behind bars. We rallied at the White House and Capitol to push for cannabis descheduling, retroactive relief, and full legalization to address the harms of the War on Drugs. Being there, amplifying their voices, and urging Congress and the President to act felt like storytelling in action — using our platform to drive justice and change for communities disproportionately affected by these policies. It was a powerful reminder of why 3isFor’s mission is to create narratives that inspire and uplift.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
At 3isFor, social impact is at the core of everything we do. We craft stories and experiences that uplift communities through purpose-driven projects. For example, our sustainable clothing line uses eco-conscious materials, aligning with our 1% for the Planet commitment to direct revenue to environmental causes. During our Black History Month 3isFor Impact Program, we awarded a $5,000 grant and provided consulting to One Stop Hop Party Rentals, a small business, to help them grow and thrive. Every project, from our For Good Podcast sparking global conversations on mental health to partnerships like the Last Prisoner Project advocating for cannabis justice, is designed to create meaningful change and empower communities.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
One story that stands out is our work with Black Cannabis Week in Philadelphia. We donated our creative services to produce high-quality content for their event, which celebrates entrepreneurship, wellness, and education in the cannabis space, particularly for Black and Brown communities. Our team crafted visually compelling and authentic storytelling that elevated the event’s message, amplifying its reach and impact. The organizers shared how our work not only brought in new attendees but also built so much goodwill that they became a repeat client. Seeing our content create excitement and opportunities for a community-driven event like Black Cannabis Week was a powerful reminder of how 3isFor’s mission can uplift and inspire.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
To support 3isFor’s mission of driving social change through storytelling, here are three things the community, society, and politicians can do to address the root issues we tackle, like cannabis justice and mental health disparities:
- Show Up and Listen: Communities and leaders need to actively engage with the voices of Black and Brown communities. Attend events like Black Cannabis Week or listen to our For Good Podcast to understand the real challenges — whether it’s mental health stigma or the impact of the War on Drugs. Authentic listening inspires meaningful action.
- Advocate for Cannabis Justice: Politicians must prioritize freeing non-violent cannabis prisoners and expunging past convictions, especially in states with legal cannabis markets. Support initiatives like the Last Prisoner Project’s push for descheduling and retroactive relief to correct decades of injustice disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.
- Invest in Community-Led Solutions: Society and policymakers can fund and amplify programs like our Black History Month 3isFor Impact Program, which provides grants and consulting to small businesses. Backing community-driven initiatives creates economic empowerment and lasting change.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
I define leadership as trusting your team while fostering open communication and a positive environment. It’s not about doing everything yourself but about building the right team and empowering them to shine. A happy workplace drives success. For example, at 3isFor, I lean on our global team of creatives to bring our vision to life. By trusting their expertise and listening to their ideas, we create impactful storytelling that elevates and strengthens our mission of social good.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
Here are five lessons I wish I’d known when starting 3isFor, each with a story that shaped our journey:
- Don’t Trust Everyone — Early on, we welcomed everyone into 3isFor with open hearts, believing they shared our vision for social impact. Some were genuine, but others didn’t align with our mission. For instance, a potential partner promised big connections but delivered empty promises, teaching us to vet collaborators carefully to protect our purpose-driven work.
- Trust Your Vision — At first, my co-founders, Kris Karl and I, relied heavily on outside advisors to guide 3isFor. While some advice helped, we realized we know our mission best. Taking a hands-on approach, like shaping our For Good Podcast to focus on mental health, clarified our path and led to features on Amazon Music and Spotify.
- Never Doubt Yourself — We faced skeptics who smiled to our faces but doubted 3isFor’s vision behind our backs. Early naysayers didn’t see the potential in our storytelling for social good. Sticking to our mission, like working with impactful brands who share our ethos, proved them wrong as our impact grew and communities responded.
- Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses — You can’t do it all. Initially, we landed a few clients ourselves, but we were stretched thin. Hiring two business development experts who understood our vision was a game-changer. Their expertise helped us scale. We’re proud to partner with companies like On The Revel, Last Prisoner Project, Shops of Shaolin, and Backwoods Cigars, to name a few.
- See It Through, No Matter What — There were moments when challenges left us discouraged, but staying committed paid off. For example, producing content for Black Cannabis Week was a big investment of time and resources, but seeing it elevate the event and convert organizers into repeat clients showed us that perseverance turns vision into impact.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I could spark a movement to bring the most good to the most people, it would be a global health and wellness revolution. Too many people are dying too soon because they’re not empowered with the knowledge or resources to prioritize their health. I’d inspire everyone to take charge of their well-being — mind, body, and spirit — by being mindful of what they put in their bodies and how they nurture their mental health. Through our For Good Podcast, we’re already having conversations about mental health and self-care. Imagine a world where communities are educated on nutrition, have access to sustainable wellness resources, and feel empowered to live their fullest lives. This movement would unite people, from policymakers to everyday folks, to make health equity a reality, ensuring everyone can thrive for generations. You never know — one story, one step toward wellness, could transform lives. I like to inspire my community through my JoJo & The Gym series on Instagram. Check it out!
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My father once told me, “You can’t take shortcuts in life, or you’ll get cut short in life.” And, “If you’re easy on life, it’ll be hard on you. But if you’re hard on life, it’ll be easy on you.”
These quotes from my dad hit me hard in high school when I was a decent student but often looked for the easy way out, like skipping steps on assignments. He’d remind me that real success demands effort and discipline. That lesson stuck with me as I built 3isFor with my team. There were moments when we could’ve cut corners — like rushing a project or settling for less authentic partnerships — but we chose the harder path of staying true to our mission of purposeful storytelling. For example, when we donate services to an organization we’re passionate about, we pour in the work to create impactful content, and it pays off by elevating the event and building lasting relationships. Dad’s words taught me that doing the work, no matter how tough, leads to meaningful impact and opens doors to live life fully.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I’d love to have a private breakfast or lunch with Jay-Z. His business acumen, from building Roc Nation to his ventures in music, sports, and social impact, is unmatched. His come-up from Marcy Projects to a global mogul inspires me as an entrepreneur leading 3isFor. Sitting down with him, I’d soak up game on scaling a vision while staying true to your roots. For example, his work with the Shawn Carter Foundation motivates me to amplify impact through 3isFor’s For Good Podcast. A convo with Jay-Z could mean new ways to drive change and inspire others. Who knows, maybe he’ll see this and vibe with our mission!
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Watch the For Good Podcast, plus connect with me on Instagram at my personal page and the 3isFor account. If you’re interested in working with us, drop us a line on our website.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: How Joseph ‘JoJo’ Simmons of 3isFor Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.