Business Branding With Purpose & Mission: Michael Hugue on Intentional Strategy
By Lana Reid | August 31, 2022
As part of the Black Men Matter Series, Lana Reid sits down with Michael Hugue, brand strategist, visual artist, and graphic designer, to discuss purpose-driven branding and intentional business strategy. Michael shares how clarity around mission and vision informs effective brand identity, and why visual storytelling plays a critical role in helping businesses communicate authenticity, values, and long-term impact. The conversation explores how aligning purpose with strategy supports sustainable growth.
In this episode of The Male Perspective, Michael Hugue breaks down the relationship between branding, purpose, and mission clarity.
Michael explains that strong branding begins with understanding why a business exists before focusing on how it looks. He emphasizes that without clarity around mission and vision, visual identity becomes disconnected from meaning. Purpose-driven branding, he notes, allows businesses to communicate more authentically and connect more deeply with their audiences.
Throughout the conversation, Lana Reid and Michael explore the role of visual storytelling in shaping brand perception. Michael shares how design choices — from color and typography to imagery and layout — communicate values and intent, often before words are read. He explains why consistency and intentionality are essential to building trust and credibility.
The discussion also highlights strategy and sustainability. Michael reflects on how aligning branding with long-term goals helps businesses avoid trend-driven decisions and instead build identities rooted in authenticity. He underscores that effective branding is not about surface aesthetics, but about creating a cohesive narrative that supports growth, clarity, and impact.
This episode offers insight for entrepreneurs, creatives, and business owners seeking to build brands that are grounded in purpose and designed for longevity.
About the Guest
Michael Hugue is a brand strategist, visual artist, and graphic designer who helps individuals and organizations translate purpose into clear, compelling brand identities. His work focuses on mission clarity, visual storytelling, and intentional strategy.
For more information on Michael Hugue:
https://www.instagram.com/huguethecreator/
About the Series
This episode is part of the Black Men Matter Series, highlighting Black men as creatives, strategists, and entrepreneurs shaping culture through purpose-driven work and intentional expression.
About the Host & Organization
The Male Perspective is hosted by Lana Reid, founder of Conversations in Color, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) grassroots organization dedicated to providing uplifting and community-building spaces of dialogue for Black voices.
Conversations in Color’s Current Initiatives
THE MALE PERSPECTIVE
The purpose of The Male Perspective is to dispel stereotypes and increase awareness of the experiences of Black men through open discussions, thought-provoking interviews, and the sharing of personal experiences that highlight the diversity and depth of the Black male experience.
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Sistas Rebuilding Sisterhood is an intergenerational community of Black women who come together for relaxed, non-judgmental gatherings to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate in a collective effort to improve the quality of sisterhood interactions in everyday life.
TAPESTRY OF BLACK VOICES AWARDS
The Tapestry of Black Voices Awards honors local communities and showcases the creativity, brilliance, and lived experiences of Black voices across the United States.