Casually Creative

For as long as Anthony Robinson can remember, he's loved being outside. No, like really loved it. While other parents may have had to encourage, cajole, or even threaten their kids into outside hanging compliance, Anthony was always in the creek bed looking for animals, picking plants, and just generally exploring the natural world around him. After a series of jobs that ultimately brought him no joy, he decided to Kondo that $h!+ (our words not his) and pursued a dream to connect more people with nature. In the midst of the pandemic, Anthony launched Energy Gardens, an Instagram page built to connect people with nature and bring more of the outside in. Followers of his page can purchase from his immaculately potted plants, learn more about custom living decor services, or be amazed at his large-scale moss installation artwork (we said what we said). Realizing that people needed more than an opportunity to bring the outside in, and wanting to create a space for people to love and be loved by plants, Anthony recently opened the Energy Gardens Plant Lounge which serves as an immersive shopping experience and topiary playground for would-be and established home horticulturalists alike.  

We spent some time talking about growing up dirty, talking to your plants, and setting out on a journey to get Byron the green thumb he's always wanted.

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IG: EnergyGardens

D Magazine Article

Keisha Whaley got tired of waiting. A veritable wunderkind in the marketing and advertising world, Keisha looked around the room at pitch meeting after pitch meeting and knew something wasn't right. Sitting in chairs ringing the room were bright, young, eager, and talented creative professionals...who were doing nothing but taking up space. As a young and successful creative executive she realized that her path was an uncommon one...but it didn't have to be. Understanding the inherent value in investing time, resources, and yes dollars in an "unskilled" workforce of interns, Keisha tried to get the agencies where she was working to create opportunities for interns differently- but no one would bite. So, she set out and decided to do it on her own.

Brass Tacks Collective is a mission driven creative agency that's focused on being the "embodiment of a future where diversity and inclusion are no longer boxes to be checked, but catalysts for beautifully and strategically-crafted brands." This multi-faceted agency boasts a client list that spans commerce, non profit, and some of the most iconic brands in recent history. What sets them apart, however, isn't just the quality of their work, but also the team they employ to make that work possible. As part of the BT Foundry, burgeoning creative professionals are given more than just platitudes and an opportunity to make agencies seem larger than they are. Interns are trained, given new skills, and (gasp) paid for their time and their work, all while being able to substantively contribute to programs and campaigns that have an actual impact in the world. Keisha's drive to create equitable spaces everywhere started as a baby (no, really- ask her about it some time) and has continued through her work with brands and individuals to shape conversations that have substantive results.

Fun fact: this episode was recorded right before Winter Storm Uri hit, and if you listen closely, you can hear the tinkling sound and hopeful naivete of three people who have no idea they're all about to lose power.

Imani Daniel is one of those rare and amazing creative souls who can live comfortably in many worlds. As a trained dancer and choreographer, she spent much of her young life deeply immersed in the art and culture of performance, while simultaneously falling in love with the expressions available to people through fashion and traditional art forms. Bolstered by her parent's passionate love of the arts, Imani learned to love and live in the creativity she expressed, and celebrate the creativity revealed in others. In many ways, Imani is what you think of when you think of the word "creative."  But it's her wholehearted embracing of herself as connector of dots, organizer of thoughts, and facilitator of visions that has made her an indispensable part of countless executive and creative teams over her storied several decade career.

After being introduced to an internship opportunity at Goldman Sachs by billionaire investor Paul Tudor Jones, Imani quickly realized that she had found what she was meant to do. As an executive and administrative professional, Imani has stood alongside luminaries in business, entertainment, sports, and fashion and supported and brought to life some of culture's most iconic experiences, campaigns, and memorable moments. Her ability to bring order to chaos has helped visionaries see through the murky waters of their ideas to the clarity that can only come from a well thought out plan, well-organized team, and well-executed experience. 

She also happens to be Damany's sister. We try not to hold that against her.

Tynesia Boyea-Robinson is brilliant- full stop. Byron says that she's one of the top 5 smartest people he knows...and that's saying something. An alumnus of both Duke and Harvard, her ability to make intellect approachable and complex concepts understood is a small part of what has enabled her to serve as counselor, adviser, and change maker for global brands and organizations who are focused on doing more good with more of their resources. (Yes, we wrote that sentence correctly.)

As the President and CEO of CapEQ (that's "Cap E-Q," don't get it twisted), she has one mission- to help investors and businesses achieve superior financial returns through social impact and to change the way the world does business. Clearly, Tynesia sets no small goals. Her focus on helping enterprises do well and do good has led her to help Fortune 500 companies, International Foundations, and Universities create pathways and actionable plans to impact their world while positively impacting their bottom line. She also has a mean flex. 

Curiously Creative

Twitter: @tyboyea

Just Change: How to Collaborate for Lasting Impact

MacKenzie Green's story has been many things, but boring is NOT one of them. This Ivy League-educated, would-be Olympian, Miss USA top contender, marketing maven, sports (and Marvel) aficionado, daughter to an icon, and icon in the living's story has been full of side steps and, "eh, why not" moments that have led her on an amazing journey and exposed her to a myriad of realities that have perfectly positioned her to impact the community and the world around her. The daughter of Civil Rights luminary and member of the Little Rock 9 (or just "the nine" as the cool kids call it) Ernest Green, Mackenzie has successfully found ways to consistently navigate through her varied realities in a way that brings people along for the ride and breaks down even the most complex of ideas into concepts that people can quickly, easily, and happily understand. 

A NATIVE of DC (please don't come for her with that Chevy Chase/DMV BS), she was introduced at an early age to the power of story and your voice's unique ability to tell it. As the Social Media Director for BET+, Mackenzie and her team are tasked with daily engaging predominantly black audiences with content from the brand that informs and entertains, but also empowers and uplifts. As a co-host of the Taylor Strecker Show, she engages with predominantly white audiences and tries her best to encourage them to know just a little bit more about the black experience...and how to season food with more than just salt. This is a hilarious ride that spans ALL the topics ranging from socio-economic justice, to morbid hilarity in musicals, and memes as a form of protest and progress. So, sit back and enjoy this one. It's completely ok to listen to it in stints- it's probably the only way to keep your side from consistently hurting anyway.

Curiously Creative

IG: @missusatomba

Taste of Taylor Juneteenth Episode

Taste of Taylor Black is King Episode

Chequan Lewis is funny. But he's funny in the low-key kind of way where his humor is infused with extremely poignant bits of wisdom that if you're laughing too hard, you'll completely miss. As the CEO of Pizza Hut (Chief Equity Officer- don't get him in trouble), Chequan stands as the founding leader in this position, responsible for navigating how Pizza Hut will successfully engage in the business and practice of equity so that its customers, its franchisees, and its staff are all able to benefit from a world where equity stands at the forefront of all things- including commerce. 

A proud graduate of Howard University (where he also VERY proudly pledged Alpha Phi Alpha), Chequan was impacted by the professors who held him accountable to how much he truly didn't know about American History. As he began to see through the lens of some of the civil rights luminaries he had never heard of, Chequan began to "see things more clearly" and dedicated himself to pursuing equitable intention in every position he held. Continuing on to Harvard Law, Chequan spent time as an Associate Counsel in multiple major law firms before discovering that his passion lay in...pizza. Well, more specifically his passion lay in providing pathways and opportunities for equitable thinking to be integrated into all aspects of a company's corporate structure and culture. Over a strong career at Pizza Hut, Chequan has led a variety of teams, including being responsible for all Pizza Hut Express stores (you know, the ones inside ALL the Targets) in the company's portfolio. Now, as the company's Chief Equity Officer, he is able to take his experience from his earliest days in Haltom City through his varied experiences in the worlds in which he's lived, to work within one of America's largest brands to create and foster opportunities for the people he serves.

Chequan is deeply intellectual and regularly interrogates his own assumptions and the perspectives he sees around him to discover what's true and honest, and we dove into everything from dismantling archetypal power structures, to providing opportunities for all voices in a room to be heard, to what's better than Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts (he's got some opinions). This is one where you want to sit down with your quill and parchment (Byron says it's nicer than pen and paper), a warm beverage, and really learn from someone who thinks regularly about how to make the world a place we can all be our authentic selves in. 

Curiously Creative

3BL Forum

IG: @chequanlewis

Twitter: @chequanlewis

Google "Sasha Souza" and prepare to head down a rabbit hole of some of the nation's most beautiful weddings and events. Sasha stands at the top of her craft and has built a several decades career out of her signature style, impeccable design taste, and attention to extreme detail (ask her about "Sasha Souza Straight" some time). Sasha's story is anything but a straight line, however. Conceived on the corner of Haight & Masonic in San Francisco (no, seriously), and raised in the clubhouses of the Hell's Angels (no, seriously...again), Sasha got into the wedding industry because of an ad in a paper and it set her off on a career that has included three books, countless speaking engagements and media appearances, and being considered one of the premier luxury planners in the world. 

Sasha's focus on creating exceptional experiences led to a desire to continue to grow her industry and the people that make it up and to the creation of The Consultancy for Creatives, a group and personal coaching and mentoring program. By working alongside entrepreneurs and business owners at varying stages of their journey, she is able to reveal some of the "it" that she and her team have become so famous for over the years to work to develop a generation of event professionals who are both excellent at their craft and also excel at their ability to successfully run a business. 

Quick note- if you're a parent you might not want to listen to this episode around your kids because we talk about Santa and we don't want you messaging us angry about something...you know what we mean.

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Consultancy for Creatives Podcast 

Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design

Signature Sasha: Weddings & Celebrations to Inspire

Signature Sasha: Wedding Design Planner

About a month ago, Damany came to David Rodriguez (AKA Dr Gorilla) with an idea- to create a pop-up, drive-through, holiday arts experience that married massive murals, technology, large scale sculptural installations, and live entertainment and presented it in a massively public, but completely safe and "Pandemic Friendly" way. What was born out of that was tinsel Dallas, a brand new immersive arts experience that highlighted and celebrated the unique culture and inherent dopeness of West Dallas, and brought it to life through the eyes of some of Dallas' most respected artists. With David at the helm as the co-producer, this brand new experience shattered expectations during its two evening run, welcoming almost 1,500 people in just 8 hours. A multi-medium artist, David prides himself on not only his ability to create, but also his ability to facilitate creation and to provide platforms for other artists to walk more fully in their passions. In tinsel, David's expertise in this shone bright. 

We talk comics as a language, graffiti as an art form, and tattoos of Byron's face- all in just over an hour. It's the lunch break you always wanted but never knew to ask for. 

Amanda Austin's story is proof that class clowns do get ahead (yes, you can tell your mom you told her so). As a child, Amanda had the unique combination of both natural born entrepreneur and innate entertainer- starting her first business by the age of 11. Over the years, her love of connecting with people and a study of comedy led her to found the Dallas Comedy House, an iconic improv and comedy club and one of the first in the DFW Metroplex. Over the course of 12 years, DCH would become a haven to burgeoning comedians, kids trying improv for the first time, and corporate executives working on better stage presence. For many, DCH was home. 

After successfully expanding both the size and scope of what DCH offered, Amanda was confronted with a stark reality as COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the country, ultimately canceling her annual comedy festival and decimating her business...just weeks after moving into her brand new facility. Amanda's story is one of continued resilience- amidst trying landlords, public support, and private growth, Amanda has stayed dedicated to making connections count with those she works alongside and serves each day. Our time with Amanda was hilarious (obvi), encouraging, and a reminder that setbacks from big dreams will happen, what you do with the time after is what makes the greatest impact for your (and others') future.

Curiously Creative

Instagram: @__amandaaustin_

Michael Thomas sees things that other people don't (or won't) see. No, he's not clairvoyant and doesn't speak to unseen forces or anything like that. Michael sees things that other people don't see because he's dedicated his life to seeing the people that other people won't. Michael's work with developmentally disabled adults at My Possibilities is fueled by his passionate belief that HIPsters are deserving of more than charity, they're deserving of life skills, vocational training, and the ability to be a part of developing and deciding their own destiny and contributing to society. Curiously creative, Michael is the self-professed generalist who strives to listen to all the ideas in the room to develop the best possible solution. This synergistic approach has led him and his team to develop innovative programs including an on-campus University and they are currently developing plans for a retail complex centralized around providing opportunities and economic growth to the community these scholars will serve. Our time with Michael was hilarious, informative, and a genuinely refreshing reminder of what people, when given opportunity and belief, can accomplish.

Curiously Creative

Beyond Disabilities | TEDxPlano

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