CultureCon 2025: Notes from a Creative in Progress
Have you been to CultureCon?
That’s the question I asked to Black creatives I meet or lived in NYC. CultureCon is “the largest festival for creative entrepreneurs, creators, and cultural influencers”, per The Creative Collective NYC. From my perspective, the festival brings together Black creatives in a space to connect with each other centered with a host of workshops, brand activations, networking and inspiration. On social media, I’ve seen it being coined as the Black Creative Homecoming.
Note: For the remainder of this blog, I will refer workshops as talks.
Why I Went? The Preparation
First day at CultureCon!
I learnt about CultureCon from another Black creative in Houston in 2024 at a sewing meet up. When I learned about it, it was too late in the year to make plans, but the timing worked out perfect this year. Divine timing. I was more leveled head, especially on my “career” path post taking time off work to figure life out and started a new role I was very much excited about! Everything aligned.
Prior to attending CultureCon, I didn’t fully know what to expect except what I saw on social media: creative fashion, hair, influential people within the creative realm and more. I planned to make the most of it by setting a clear purpose using my time intentionally. This was an investment (financial and energy). The night before attending I made sure to outline my plan for day in terms of which talks and brand activations I would like to attend and when I planned to take a break for lunch.
What Stood Out?
Social media was in fact accurate everybody was friendly, the talks were great with big and small names in the creative space, and it was organized and had great vibes. To my surprise the talks, I thought I would not be too interested in were the ones that were the best.
Executive Coaching: Building a Leadership Mindset with Angeline Darrisaw and Dominque R. Fluker
Reason why I initially wasn’t interested: After being in a Leadership Development Program for four years and attending leadership events, I was like what else could I possibly learn new, but I left with gems.
Reason why I’m happy I attended: The gems that were dropped and I was reminded of WHO I AM and that I NEED TO TAKE UP SPACE. Another thing I took away was to ground myself at the start of every meeting. It’s simple, but powerful, it is very important as I step into this next chapter of life, and I am only great as I see myself.
Human First AI: Enhanced The Future of Creative Collaboration Panel
Human First AI: Enhanced the Future of Creative Collaboration with Charles Johnson, Alexia Adana, Jaquay Saintil and Calum Johnson
Reason why I initially wasn’t interested: Everyone is talking about AI these days.
Reason why I’m happy I attended: I left with actionable task about how AI tools like ChatGPT and Note LL can help me build a blueprint for my career and convert it into a podcast. Also, how film and storytelling is changing forever and so many other more gems. AI & I will be closer, of course ethnically.
Reflection
As a learner, my favorite segments during conference/festivals are always the talks, I’m always collecting tidbits of information that inspires, empowers and connects with me. I appreciated that the organizers of the event created two stages/paths: Culture Path or Creator Path to aid with navigating the event.
Two days before CultureCon, I started a new role & thought how I’ll set the grounds within the role. The role involves developing engaging product video scripts that communicate product benefits, but I was a little nervous as I’m new to this product space. Drawing inspiration from the people I met and those on the panel helped me lay the groundwork. I am great, I completed my first script, and it went great.
“I am only as great as I see myself” - Angeline Darrisaw
Throughout the conference, I connected with people who, like me were pivoting into new spaces, Marketing, gardening and planning their next creative moves.
Takeaways
A few key takeaways include:
To continue to TAKE UP SPACE and I AM THAT PERSON TO DO SO.
Be curious. When I believe I cannot do something ask myself. Why can’t I?
I am the definition of pivoting, and in a great space and must continue with the momentum
Now that CultureCon 2025 is over, I plan on reaching out to the people I connected with and execute the assignment Charles Johnson gave us!