In this episode of Creatively Speak’n, we’re joined by our Community Engagement Director, Chanel, for a behind-the-scenes look at how CTLN is showing up in real life. From DC to Baltimore, Chanel shares updates on upcoming events, creative collaborations, and how intentional community work shapes everything we do. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to the network, this episode highlights the plays we’re running to keep creative culture alive and connected.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay tapped in with CTLN.

📍 Topics Covered:

• Status updates on CTLN events in DC & Baltimore

• How community engagement fuels our strategy

• Building creative culture from the ground up

• Chanel’s insight on local impact + growth

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🔗 Stay connected with CTLN

www.ctlnnetwork.com | ​⁠

In this episode of Creatively Speak’n, we’re taking you behind the velvet rope and beyond the flashing lights to spotlight the creatives who brought the 2025 BET Awards to life. From the bold stage design and viral choreography to the seamless brand integrations and campaign rollouts, “B.E.T. On It” is a front-row seat to the artistry and strategy behind Black entertainment’s biggest night.

We break down not just the show-stopping performances and red carpet moments, but the execution—highlighting the producers, art directors, social teams, and cultural curators whose hands were all over the night. Plus, we tap into the creative direction behind sponsor activations, commercial spots, and how brands like Meta, Sprite, and Amazon Prime tapped into the culture with intention.

Tune in as we give flowers to the people behind the magic, analyze the plays that worked, and uncover the blueprint for how award shows are becoming fully integrated content campaigns. This one’s for the dreamers and the doers—because when you bet on culture, you better come correct.

🎥 Segments:

• Creative Catch Up: Standout BET moments + trends worth noting

• Play Breakdown: How behind-the-scenes creatives made the show feel alive

• Rate: Best brand activations of the night

• Resources: Tools & platforms featured during award show season

#BETAwards2025 #CreativelySpeakin #CultureCurated #BETAwardsRecap #BehindTheCreative

The Group chat links back up to discuss Kith’s latest drop and its approach to audience segmentation and establishing your Creative Identity.

Episode 24 – Plus&Trust

This week on Creatively Speak’n, the team is locked in and looking ahead. Cook, J Law, and Mitch (@mitchbtv) break down the upcoming partnership powering The Group Chat Live—from how the play came together to what attendees can expect when community, creativity, and collaboration collide.

Then they shift gears and dive into some real talk about Joey Bada$$ vs TDE and the layered breakdown between RG3 and Ryan Clark—analyzing how ego, legacy, and intent show up in public debates.

Episode Resources:

🎙️ Cook – Micole Creative Studios (Patreon)

🏛️ J Law – Maryland State Arts Council

📍 Mitch – BeGreatDC

From the stage to the strategy board — The Group Chat is back with another unfiltered conversation, and this time, we’ve got special guest BeMo Brown in the building.

In this episode:

🔥 We break down the GNX Tour and what it revealed about today’s creative hustle, community building, and next-gen influence.

🎓 We explore Kai Cenat’s Streamer University — is this the future of entertainment education, or just a hype machine?

BeMo Brown drops gems on purpose, pivoting, and producing value at scale — all while navigating life as a creative and community leader.

Whether you’re in the game or on the come-up, this episode is a must-watch for anyone serious about executing big visions while staying grounded.

👇 Tap in and join the conversation. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

#TheGroupChat #GNXTour #KaiCenat #StreamerUniversity #BeMoBrown #CreativeCommunity #ContentStrategy #BlackCreatives #ExecutionSeason #Podcast

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👉 Listen to the full podcast:

Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creatively-speakn/id1779153794

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7EqNn0Q29reigLIYlwDTqV

Follow CTLN: https://www.instagram.com/ctln_network

Follow the hosts:

📸 K Ligg https://www.instagram.com/_kliggans/

📸 Cook https://www.instagram.com/aguynamedcook/

📸 JLaw https://www.instagram.com/artbyjlaw_/

📸 BeMo https://www.instagram.com/bemobrown/

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes!

Welcome back to the creative group chat you didn’t know you needed. In Episode 22, Spoiler Alert: Murals, Movies, and Money, the Creatively Speak’n crew reconnects with J Law fresh off completing his latest mural for Baltimore’s ArtScape—just in time for Memorial Day Weekend.

This week, we explore creative execution across mediums:

We kick things off with a breakdown of A’ja Wilson’s powerful new Nike commercial—unpacking the symbolism, brand messaging, and what it means for visibility in sports marketing.

Then, J Law and K Ligg dive into a review of the indie film Sinners, giving their unfiltered take on the story, visuals, and emotional weight behind the project.

Whether you're painting walls, writing scripts, or plotting your next brand move—this episode’s for you.

Sponsored by PureGreen DuPont in Washington, DC — fueling creatives with clean, plant-based energy.

In this episode, Cook and Kadeja tap into the pulse of culture, kicking off with the BET Awards and what this year’s show says about the state of Black entertainment. The duo then breaks down the "Press Run of Sinners" — a conversation about how artists and public figures navigate media tours, redemption arcs, and the court of public opinion. They also spotlight the genius of Ryan Coogler, diving into his storytelling instincts, business moves, and what his latest work teaches us about longevity in the creative industry. From cultural commentary to craft breakdowns, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration for anyone building something meaningful.

Trading Places, Cook and K Ligg are back at the mic with fresh updates on their ever-evolving creative and professional journeys. From unexpected pivots to big-picture breakthroughs, they break down what’s been happening behind the scenes. The duo also recaps key gems and standout moments from the Black Women Marketers Conference—highlighting the power of community, strategy, and storytelling in brand building. Plus, don’t miss the exclusive announcement of the Cousinz Fest lineup — a first look at the creatives, performers, and collaborators set to take the stage.

Whether you’re building, pivoting, or just trying to keep up, this episode reminds you that sometimes growth means switching it up and trading places.

In this episode, the crew checks in with Q1 reflections, and drops gems from The Group Chat event. We break down the Zeus Network debacle, spotlight an artist road-tripping and living in a van for 6 months, and analyze the Broccoli City Festival pivot to a new format.

We also show love to Black Women Marketers, talk about those “one of them days” moments, and discuss what it really means to channel creativity—even when things get unpredictable.

Resources:

J Law – reset your IG algorithm,

K Ligg – ViralMango,

Cook – @ThisIsNickys

Group Chat Live: Building Artist Ecosystems with Ahmad Davis of UnitedMasters

In this special live episode of The Group Chat, we’re joined by Ahmad Davis, Sr. Manager of Artist Relations at UnitedMasters, for an unfiltered conversation on what it really takes to build sustainable careers as independent artists. From understanding your value as a creative to navigating the evolving music industry, Ahmad drops major gems on community, consistency, and ownership.

Whether you're an artist, manager, or just curious about what happens behind the scenes, this one’s packed with real talk and strategy.

🎙️ Produced at DCTV Studios in Brookland – a community-powered space for creators in DC. Learn more at DCTV.org.