Yrbenka Arthus: Feel the Unreal with Nike Air Max Dn
Photos by Hardley Jeannite
Life is made up of two kinds of things: the real — the things that are, and the unreal — the things that might be. For Haitian-born Brooklynite Yrbenka Arthus, the passion, drive and unstoppable energy that fuels her comes from her ability to “Feel the Unreal” — to imagine what might be and make it a reality.
On an early morning in Brooklyn, as the sun is just beginning to cast its golden glow on the city beneath, Yrbenka arrives at one of her favorite local cafes. Like most mornings, she arrives with only the essentials: her laptop, notebook and phone, along with headphones and a bottle of water. "My work days look very cozy," she admits. A fashion enthusiast, Yrbenka prioritizes style even in casual work environments. Her eye-catching outfit, from her stylish frames to her canary purse are complemented perfectly by her trusty Air Max Dns. Though the quiet space will soon fill with the hum of customers, the setting offers the perfect balance between the solitude needed to work and the buzz of community that fuels her.
Community is Yrbenka’s business and a lifelong joy. As a Community Manager for Corporate Engagement, bringing people together is what she does. But it goes much deeper than that. Childhood memories full of large family gatherings mark the starting point of a love of connecting people and celebrating life's vibrancy. Growing up, Yrbenka learned to balance a curious and adventurous spirit with the responsibilities of being the eldest of three siblings. “More than anything, being the oldest has always just made me a bit of a leader,” she recalls. “I've basically always had mentees, and I've always tried to create a path for myself to inspire them. That’s been a lot of the guiding force behind what has pushed me — especially career wise.” The daughter of immigrants, Yrbenka’s parents adamantly provided her with the freedom to explore various interests, resulting in forays into fashion and journalism during her college years. There, her passions entwined, igniting a fascination with media, photography, blogging, and the impact of events.
Easing into the day’s tasks amid the growing buzz of the neighborhood, Yrbenka settles over a cup of her favorite lemon-ginger tea in a quiet corner of the cafe’s outdoor patio. The setting is a marked contrast to the environment she used to work in. “I have always been a part of the Employee Resource Groups at companies I’ve worked for,” she explains. “I was able to build my network through fun events so quickly. I once attended a complimentary Pusha T concert!” Though she didn’t think much of it at the time, the networking focus of these events influenced her view of what it meant to gather with people. “It became less, ‘Who did you meet?’” she reflects, “and more about ‘Who did you meet at this event who could eventually become a business partner?’”
Even before her career took off, event planning and community building were already listed among Yrbenka’s superpowers. After graduation, during that tumultuous period between school and career, she found herself longing for a sense of community and support. Recognizing this might be a common need for others in her position, she launched a series of events to connect peers seeking internships and those embarking on their new careers. “I actually started doing events right out of school for people like me who were pursuing work,” she says. “A close friend and I created events for corporate creatives who didn't really fit into one box, getting together to figure out how to navigate the early stages of our careers.”
As foot traffic in and around the cafe reaches its daily high point, Yrbenka is working diligently in her corner of the patio. During a break, she takes a moment to connect with one of her more recent and unique communities: her sneaker-loving colleagues. The group blossomed from an internal social media post she published a few years ago as a newer employee seeking connection with her co-workers. From there, what began as a search for common ground with her colleagues quickly transformed into a thriving community where her fellow employees showcase their favorite kicks and nerd out on sneaker culture.
Like the rest of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on Yrbenka’s life, both personally and professionally. In the latter case, it led to new levels of work, building networks for those of like mind and similar circumstances to meet and support one another. Yrbenka always gravitated toward fostering community, and following the COVID-19 lockdown, there was a strong need for those, so long isolated, to reconnect. “My friend and colleague Joe was like, ‘How do we get people together again, can we do something?” she remembers. The question ultimately led Yrbenka to the co-creation — along with Joseph Milord, Greg Butler and Oluwatomisin Adesokhan — of Industry Link; a successful New York-based series of events designed to connect Black professionals from tech, media, entertainment and related fields in relaxed settings. The group hosted their initial event in October 2021, with a group of about 45 Black professionals at a bar in the Lower East Side area of New York City. “Since then, we’ve had 12 events, we’ve gone to AfroTech, and we've collaborated as a community partner with CultureCon,” she explains. “Some of our events now are bringing together 400 plus people.”
Now boasting a community of over 4,000 Black professionals, Yrbenka is the mastermind behind Industry Link's programming, focusing on fostering lasting connections beyond the events themselves. “How do we facilitate conversation and connection?,” she asks. “How do we make sure the people who have opportunities are meeting the people who need opportunities? How do we serve this community? And how do we create spaces for people who are silently experiencing things that we may not know about but still want to be able to show up?” As she strives to facilitate meaningful conversations and curate events in answer to these questions for those around her, Yrbenka faces the more pressing questions of her own health. Just as the impact of COVID-19 on the world altered her professional path, Long COVID — an umbrella term for any number of disorders arising in the aftermath of infection — has changed her personal life as well.
Yrbenka now faces Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome or “POTS” — a condition that causes increased heart rate, dizziness, imbalance and fatigue along with fluctuating blood pressure. Battling POTS and COVID’s other lingering effects — including a suspected increase in allergic reactions — has reshaped Yrbenka’s life in a variety of ways. “There are new lessons,” she confesses, “new priorities. And the conversations I'm having are completely shifted.” Along with new and heightened levels of concern about her diet and the things that go into her food, the community strategist has had to reassess her own communication habits. “Closed mouths don't get fed,” she stresses, emphasizing the need for advocacy and community reliance in her new life. “Being on top of my appointments has taught me so much about advocating for myself to my doctors. That's not something that was super top of mind for me before,” she allows, “but now it’s different.”
The once-easy after-work drinks or crowded networking events are now limited affairs for Yrbenka as they overstimulate her nervous system. The long hikes she once loved have been replaced by short walks around the neighborhood, with an emphasis on comfortable, balanced footwear, to accommodate frequent bouts of dizziness and fatigue. “It's definitely changed how I interact with my community,” she offers. “I’m less able to go to things and meet new people or do other things that I once enjoyed. Even at Industry Link events, sometimes I have to tuck away in the corner or I have to leave early.” As a result, community building activities — so long the cornerstone of her professional life — have taken on new meaning. “Community is more than just who your followership is,” she reveals, “more than who you're connected to online or who you might see at events and parties in your industry.” The revelation comes on the heels of accepting that meeting the new challenges in her life means asking for the support she’s always tried to conjure for others.
“I've really had to fall back on my community,” Yrbenka confides. “I need support in some ways. I need my friend to come to the doctor with me because I get dizzy on the train.” Expanding her reliance on her own network has led Yrbenka to an even deeper understanding of community – a space for shared experiences, not just professional advancement. Now reimagining community and inclusivity in her own work, she considers introverts, neurodivergent individuals, and those facing unseen challenges, just to list a few. It’s the beginning of a new wave at the still-young Industry Link that now includes online gatherings and the more intimate evening coworking concept. “It's changed my view on how to build and maintain relationships,” she says.
As she closes her laptop for the workday, one of those intimate post-work gatherings awaits. Ditching the cafe for an evening soiree with friends and close colleagues calls for a quick wardrobe change. Comfort and style merge seamlessly. And as the calmer tones of the workday give way to a show stopping pink, her trusty Air Max Dns are the only part of her wardrobe to make the transition from day to night.
Life is made of two types of things. For Yrbenka Arthus, the question of turning one into the other has always had the same answer: community. Through the obstacles and changes of the last few years, Yrbenka is ready to connect in a new, more inclusive way, still fueled by her passion for creativity, connection, and individuality, but with new levels of insight and a broader perspective on what community means and what it's for. She’s celebrating this moment of adaptability, and her thoughtful approach is shaping a new paradigm of community building with compassion and a commitment to understanding the diverse needs of individuals at the forefront.
"I'm exploring new things; definitely redefining my identity," she says. "I've had to find new outlets for creativity, new outlets for expression, new outlets for community building, and new ways to have fun." In the process, she is gently disrupting the status quo while making a meaningful impact on her many communities; paving the way for others to thrive in their own unique ways. “If you need support, you need to say it,” she concludes. “You need to say, ‘I can't do that this week.’ I've had to cancel things and take them virtually. And that has had to be okay. We all have to take care of ourselves, empower each other, and give people the space and support to take care of themselves too.”
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