Avery*Sunshine and Dana Johnson share their HBCU love story in Rolling Out and Genesis’s latest Because We Met campaign, spotlighting culture, connection, and the GV80 Coupe.
RollingOut has once again teamed up with Genesis Motor America to celebrate the powerful bonds forged through the HBCU experience in the latest installment of their acclaimed Because We Met series. The 2025 campaign, Driving Imagination Forward, pairs luxury innovation with heartfelt storytelling, spotlighting how culture, connection, and community shape both personal success and collective progress.
This year’s creative centerpiece is a 30-second video featurette starring Grammy Award winner Avery*Sunshine and her husband, guitarist and producer Dana Johnson. The duo, who met through their shared HBCU roots at Spelman and Morehouse College, share how those formative years ignited their passions and set them on the path to one another.
“Participating in the Because We Met program represents a full-circle moment for me,” said Avery*Sunshine. “As a proud Spelman alumna, I understand the profound impact of the HBCU experience and the enduring bonds it fosters. This partnership with Rolling Out and Genesis transcends mere collaboration; it is a celebration of our legacy, conveyed with elegance, purpose, and authenticity.”
The campaign also shines a spotlight on the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe, which serves as both a visual backdrop and a symbol of bold, aspirational living. With an athletic fastback profile, aggressive front grille, and aerodynamic lines, the GV80 Coupe redefines luxury utility. Inside, diamond-stitched Nappa leather seating, an expansive 27-inch panoramic OLED display, and customizable ambient lighting create an environment designed for leaders and visionaries.
“Genesis celebrates the power of new beginnings through culture, connection, and community,” said Amy Marentic, chief marketing officer of Genesis Motor America. “The artistry showcased in our collaboration with Rolling Out honors the legacy of HBCUs and their profound and lasting impact on their students and alumni.”
Rolling Out publisher and CEO Munson Steed underscored the cultural resonance of the collaboration: “Cultural creativity through the Genesis collaboration has manifested an amazing journey—spotlighting HBCU alumni, influencers, and content creators—and telling powerful stories through luxury-designed vehicles that elevate the advertising narrative to one of true excellence. Grammy Award winner Avery*Sunshine and her husband Dana, both proud Genesis owners, embody this spirit and share an authentic story that reflects the power of culture, creativity, and connection.”
From the storied campuses of HBCUs to the global stage, Because We Met is a tribute to lasting bonds, shared purpose, and the cultural legacy that fuels Black excellence.
