#CultureCon wasn’t just the ultimate place for creatives of color, it was a mood!
It was a celebration of black creativity as The Creative Collective NYC hosted its second annual Conference. Over 300 guests gathered at the Knockdown Center event space in Maspeth, New York for a full day of incredible panels, fireside chats, hands-on workshops, and brand activations tailored to fit the needs of creatives of color.
CultureCon is a one-day conference that celebrates Black creativity and inspires connectivity. With a focus on the importance of people of color empowering those around them, the event brought together inspiring entrepreneurs and creatives, sharing real stories of how building your dream isn’t always glamorous but worth it. Speakers included John Legend, Remy Ma, DeRay Mckesson, Charlamagne Tha God, Nick Cannon, Essence’s Julie Wilson, and Tyler Mitchell. Aiming to inspire a new generation of change-makers, #CultureCon was a space of connectivity and an environment for growth and solutions.
The evening’s off-stage activities included a Squarespace station, where I provided hands-on updates and support for current Squarespace customers while sharing the brand’s story and culture with prospective customers and employees. The talented cartoonist, Obi Arisukwu, showed off his superb skills sketching custom illustrations. Dove ensured we all could experience the difference with Dove DermaCare Scalp & Itch Relief Shampoo and Conditioner. The HBO luxe lounge gave guests a place to pull away from the larger crowd, while Tequila Avion kept the drinks flowing during happy hour.
It all began in 2016, when apartment gatherings turned into The Creative Collective NYC (CCNYC) a community that curates brave spaces for creatives of color. They began hosting monthly meetups and events for black and brown millennials to lean on their peers for professional support. Then came an idea to create a conference for creatives of color, by creatives of color.
Everything about CultureCon was awesome! But the best part for me was seeing the faces of Squarespace customers light up when I gave them solutions that would help them better show off their awesome sauce; as well as, connecting with people who consume the work that I create.
