Artistic and creative careers are among the most rewarding, but they also come with unique challenges. We asked some of the city’s best creatives to tell us why they choose to pursue a creative career.

E. Walter Smith | Singer/Songwriter, Entertainer, Speaker, Actor

My parents met at Karamu House, one of the oldest Black theater companies in America. https://karamuhouse.org/ Notables of Karamu House not only include playwright, Langston Hughes, but also authors Zora Neale Hurston and Lorraine Hansberry.  Read more>>

Arionna Vanya Orange | Entrepreneur, Makeup Artist, Hairstylist & Beauty Influencer

The beauty industry soundlessly came upon me. I didn’t realize I was pursuing it until years in the craft. I eventually chose to pursue this creative and artistic career because the more and more I picked up a brush was the more I realized the gifted touch God has given me. Read more>>

Xinyu Liu | Artist

I am a mixed-media artist currently based in New York, working across various mediums, including installations, sculpture, and video. For a long time, I felt directed by others rather than following my own path. In high school, I was required to attend a three-month art training program because universities had lower admission requirements for art students.  Read more>>

Sydney LeNell | Writer & Recording Artist

Taking an artistic career path has always felt like a calling to me. For years I knew I saw things differently and had something to say. Little did I know that it was something that the world needed to hear, until I took the chance. Read more>>

Alessandra Montserrat Castro | Art Director & Creative

I’m an obsessive creator, since I have memory I just like to create for the sake of creation, when I was little I used to make products, clothing, careers that doesn’t exist, realities that were not real (like being a popstar), my mind can’t stay quiet since then so I have to let it out some way or another, and I think thats why I love advertising and art direction so much, is just the pressure to create and create and create, it stimulates my brain so much. Read more>>

Brittany Gary | Atlanta Fashion & Editorial Photographer

Photography provides me with a platform to express myself beyond the limitations of words. Since childhood, I’ve been captivated by the art of capturing moments, and it has remained an very important part of my existence. Read more>>

Cayden Cook | Content Creator

I pursued a creative career because I enjoy being artistic and learning new things daily. I think of content creation as a form of storytelling and expressing oneself in a fun and relatable manner. This career aligns with my interests, goals, and skills. I enjoy creating content for my audience as well as for brands that I promote.  Read more>>

Shantelle Patton | Minority Business Advocate

I pursued an artistic and creative career because it’s the most authentic way for me to express my passions, values, and vision for the future. Art has always been a powerful tool for storytelling and change, and I wanted to harness that power to make a difference in my community. Read more>>

Erica Elle Miller | Author, Entrepreneur, and Motivational Speaker

Despite climbing the corporate ladder, I’ve always harbored a deep-seated passion for creativity. This passion has consistently fueled my curiosity and driven me to explore various forms of artistic expression. Recently, I discovered a profound connection with articulating my thoughts and experiences through words and journaling. Read more>>

Alivia Korsun | Creative Strategist + Brand Architect

I have always identified as an artist. As long as I can remember I was very curious about creating things with my hands! I had a series in time when I was very interested in performative art acting, singing, once I covered myself in scotch tape to see what it would feel like, another time I gave myself ink poisoning drawing on myself with a sharpie. Read more>>