This is How We Create

Have you ever given yourself a deadline to make a dream come true? For singer and actress Rashada Dawan, that deadline was one year. After being laid off and with bills piling up, she made a 12-month commitment to pursue her art full-time before turning to a more "practical" career. Just days before she was set to take an exam to become a police offer, she received a life-altering phone call.  In...

Have you ever been at a crossroads, wishing for that one piece of timely advice to light the way? Recently, a conversation with my nieces got me thinking about the incredible wisdom our guests have shared on this podcast. In this special episode, I'm doing things a little differently. I've gathered insights from three amazing creators: bestselling author Jasmine Guillory, photographer Amanda J. Ca...

What happens when your creative process becomes a mirror, reflecting back the deepest parts of your identity? I sit down with abstract artist Gina Tyquiengco to discuss her winding creative path, from teaching herself graphic design to finding her voice as a painter.  Gina explains how her signature black, white, and gold palette is a deliberate reflection of her Guamanian and African American her...

Have you ever felt like artist grants are just mysterious pots of money reserved for a select few? It's a feeling so many of us in the creative world know all too well. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the world of grant funding to show you that it's not about luck or secret connections.  Being awarded a grant has everything to do with understanding the system. I'll walk you throug...

Have you ever felt a divine nudge? Or maybe a full-on nudge that pushed you toward a life you didn't plan for? In this episode, I'm talking with the incredible interior designer Beth Diana Smith, who made the courageous leap from a successful career in corporate finance to founding her own celebrated design firm. Beth shares the story of how she went from being the kid who organized her toybox and...

Have you ever considered how success might change you? That as you grow, you might lose the very essence of what makes you, you?  In this solo episode, I share a story of a startling comment that made me confront my own evolution. We'll explore the balance between evolving and losing yourself, between growing your craft and abandoning your voice. Join me for a conversation about change, authentici...

What does it take to leap into the unknown for the sake of your creative calling? In this episode, I talk with Lori Tharps, a writer, educator, and creative catalyst who did just that.  Lori shares the powerful story behind her decision to leave a tenured professorship at Temple University to start a new life in Southern Spain.  We explore her journey to create The Sanctuary, a vital community for...

Ever wonder what a full week in the life of a professional photographer really looks like? I'm pulling back the curtain and taking you with me through a jam-packed week of creative hustle and real-life moments. From juggling four different photoshoots centered on Black Joy to managing client proposals and sneaking in family time, this episode is a raw, honest look at the daily dance of a working a...

How do we find the courage to build a creative career on our own terms? I'm so excited to share my conversation with Ashley Buttercup, a Brooklyn-based painter whose work beautifully captures the quiet, unguarded moments of life. From a childhood nurtured by creative parents to finding her own way through the bustling worlds of fashion and advertising, Ashley's journey is a masterclass in resilien...

Have you ever sat down to create, only to find yourself endlessly scrolling for inspiration and losing your voice in the noise?  In this episode, I introduce a concept for clearing out mental buildup to make space for your authentic ideas to emerge.  We'll explore the surprising science behind why our best ideas often emerge during moments of rest, and I'll offer you a few simple, actionable ways...

Sometimes the job you've worked hard for breaks your spirit.  In this episode, I chat with interior designer Courtney Robinson.    Courtney shares her winding journey from a childhood dream of acting to studying design at Howard University to navigating the harsh realities of the New York design world.    Courtney opens up about the pivotal moments that urged her to leave the corporate path and to...

Hey friend, for today's mini episode, I'm sharing a poem I wrote in June called "Simple ain't easy." You know how it is when you're explaining your creative dreams to someone and they give you that look? That "well, why don't you just do it then?" look. As if picking up a brush or opening a laptop was the hard part. I've been thinking a lot lately about this gap between what looks simple from the...

A single moment changed everything for Ghanaian visual artist Nana Frimpong Oduro. It began with a quiet walk, a dying tree, and a gifted camera from a stranger. That moment led him away from architecture and toward a new life in photography. In this episode, I sit down with Nana to explore how he built a career rooted in emotion, storytelling, and self-discovery. He shares how he creates powerful...

How do we build a world that truly reflects who we are? In this profound conversation, I sit down with architect and design tastemaker Obiora Nwazota, a powerful voice reshaping our understanding of culture, identity, and design. Obi shares his journey from a childhood in Nigeria, dreaming beyond the prescribed path, to becoming a cultural force in Chicago.   We explore how he challenges the singu...

Have you ever considered a dramatic career change, a leap from a structured path into the wide-open world of creative expression? Our guest, Ronald Jackson, embodies this very journey. Growing up in the rural Arkansas Delta as the youngest of eleven children, Ronald's early life was steeped in a family legacy of challenging norms.  After a distinguished 21-year career in the U.S. Army, a profound...

Have you ever considered that the most profound creative education might not happen in a classroom? What if it unfolds in the buzz of a print shop or behind the lens at a world-changing cultural event? In this episode, I sit down with legendary photographer Roy Lewis, whose journey is a powerful testament to learning by doing. Roy shares how his early days in a Mississippi print shop ignited his c...

Have you ever wondered how to turn a lifelong passion for food into a celebrated career? In this episode, I sit down with the wonderfully creative food photographer, stylist, and cookbook author, Murielle Banackissa. Murielle shares the story of her creative journey, from her childhood memories in the Republic of Congo to her family's move to Montreal.   Join us as we explore how Murielle masterfu...

Have you ever wished you could write your happy ending? In this solo episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on a personal practice that has been a game-changer for me over the last decade: the quarterly review.  I share how a simple, strategic process, born from my days in program management, can help you track your progress and design a life and career that lights you up.  If you're ready to move...

How do you find the courage to leave a stable career and chase a creative dream? In this episode, I sit down with the incredible photographer Mark Clennon, who did exactly that. Mark shares the real story of his leap from a 9-to-5 into the world of full-time commercial photography. We talk about the initial struggles, the community's pivotal role in his journey, and how he built a new life and car...

  Step back in time with me to 1977, to a cultural event so monumental it was dubbed the "Black World's Fair." In this episode, we journey to Lagos, Nigeria, for FESTAC '77, the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture. What made this month-long celebration a landmark of Black pride and unity, and why does its legacy still echo nearly fifty years later? I'll share insights from...

What happens when a child prodigy channels divine inspiration into groundbreaking storytelling? I sit down with Sophia Stewart, a prolific writer who began writing professionally at just 11 years old. From navigating the complex world of what it means to own your work, Sophia shares powerful insights about trusting your creative vision and the role of faith in artistic success. We explore the impo...

Are you searching for stories that feed your creative spirit? In this solo episode, I share four incredible books by women of color essential to your summer reading list.  These books feature narratives of immigration, identity, and magical realism. These reads have resonated deeply with me. I hope they may fuel your artistic journey.  Join me as we explore these powerful voices in contemporary li...

What happens when hip-hop methodology meets ancient glassblowing traditions?   In this captivating conversation, I sit down with Leo Tecosky, a glass artist who's redefining what it means to honor craft traditions while pushing creative boundaries. From his childhood memories of watching a goldsmith neighbor work to discovering the mesmerizing world of molten glass in art school, Leo shares how ea...

Have you ever woken up feeling inexplicably frustrated for no apparent reason? This morning, I found myself battling some serious irritation. Through this raw, relatable moment, I discovered something important about what happens when our deepest values start pulling us in opposite directions.   In this mini-episode, I share a simple but powerful approach to navigating those moments when you feel...

Have you ever had a moment when everything you thought you knew about your path suddenly shifted? In today's episode, I sit down with textile artist Qualeasha Wood, whose innovative work bridges digital imagery with traditional craft techniques. She reveals the unexpected moments that led her from a completely different path into textile art. Qualeasha also shares the profound encounter that chang...