CultureCon 2019
The Experience
I think CultureCon 2019 was more than everyone expected! They went from over 700 plus influencers and entrepreneurs to over 1500 in attendance to this years’ event which was held in Duggal Greenhouse. I know that the goal for the team is to continue to grow but, to also continue to maintain their personal connection to all of the people that attend their events. Last time, I mentioned the family cookout feeling that they managed to create but, this time it had more of a CurlFest feeling. It felt like a huge family reunion and with three different locations all just a couple steps away, you could never be bored. If you weren’t playing basketball in the Activation Alley building, you were getting tips toward success from the Creator Stage all while waiting for your favorite celebrity to grace the Culture Stage. There were food trucks, VIP lounges and more. This event was just amazing! I had the opportunity to take pictures of their “red carpet” and all of their celebrities upon entry. I was able to meet the celebrities one on one and capture some beautiful and consistent photos in front of this green garden-esque background. I truly believe that this CultureCon proved that this event is no longer the same! This event is bigger that all of us now! I can’t wait to see the team and my Creative Collective family grow even more.
Tracie Ellis Ross / Elaine Welteroth
The crowd went absolutely bonkers when Tracie Ellis Ross and Elaine Welteroth came out on stage. Before getting into the interview they definitely took a moment to put on a show for all of the creatives that they had in the crowd. I have never seen a group of people react like that before. I think her face even shows it in the photo above. Nonetheless, Tracie and Elaine still had a great conversation. The conversation was geared toward her growth as a woman and also her growth in realizing her beauty. She talked about her journey to becoming the woman she is today and embracing her curves, hair, skin and what it means to be a strong black woman. She wanted to reach out to others like her and pass on this new attained wisdom. She decided to create her new Haircare brand called “Pattern Beauty” for curly, textured hair. I’ve seen review after review on YouTube and I have to be honest, this product truly works. Both girls and guys are raving about the success of this product and everyone is supporting it because of that. It also feels good to know that Tracie Ellis Ross is the creator. She clearly is a black woman that has no shame flaunting her curly-fro and it feels good to see someone who looks like you, create products for you.
Regina King / KeKe Palmer
Same went for Regina King and Keke Palmer. Look at the amount of people who came to listen to Regina and Keke discuss her new HBO American Drama series, Watchmen. They discussed the success that she’s had over the years with Netflix series such as Seven Seconds and more and how she deals with all of it. She took on the new role because she always wanted to play a superhero, she just wanted it to be a superhero with a purpose. Regina chose to play Agela ‘Sister Night’ Abar because she knew she could be a good role model for young black girls growing up. The character is a beautiful, independent and intelligent cop who is married to Cal Abar and they have a son. Just like most black mothers she is very protective of them and would take down anyone who dares to stand in their way.
Da'Vine Randolph / Lilly Workneh
Da’Vine Randolph and Lilly Works also had a really good conversation about the creative journey. Lilly did a great job at finding out what motivates Randolph to keep going on and her secret talents. Da’Vine Randolph is an American actress and singer best known for her role in Oda Mae Brown in the original Broadway production of Ghost the Musical. She was actually nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical. She also touched on the fact that she is actually classically trained. She can play multiple instruments and she also knows how to operatically utilize her voice. She also made sure to give God the glory for all that he has done for her thus far. She let it be known that He is the reason and the secret to her success.
THE CROWD
1,000+ Creatives IN ONE ROOM
“Everything seems impossible...until it’s done.”
The Talent
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