Artists and creatives face innumerable challenges given that their career path often doesn’t come with a playbook, a steady paycheck or any form of safety net. It’s definitely not easy and so we asked a few of the artists and creatives we admire to talk to us about why they chose to pursue an artistic or creative career.

Khalejah Englann

Pursuing my choice of career was driven by passion, motivation by love ones and wanting to change the living conditions of family and other around me and because its what am good at doing. Read More>>

Nya

I had always known that I didn’t want to attend college. After graduating high school, I convinced my parents to allow me a gap year to figure out my path in life. They agreed, but it came with adult stipulations. As long as college was off the table for me, so was their wallets. I worked two jobs and could barely make ends meet, and that was while I was living at home. That’s when life got real. Read More>>

Terry Allen

For as long as I can remember I’ve been intrigued by artistic expression. One of the main reasons I chose a career as an artist is because I have something to say. The place my heart and mind operate from is a space I feel like people can connect with. Life is about servanthood and empathy. Being in an industry where I can constantly connect with others while simultaneously telling relatable stories is something that fills my soul. There is a certain freedom I experience when performing. Read More>>

Jayden Edwards

I pursue artistic and creative avenues in my career choices because these jobs and these projects are important, no matter how small they might be. Being creative and even just feeling inspired allows people, especially artists, to feel as though they can contribute their more abstract ideas or expertise to the development of a central goal. I am always looking for other ways to get things done, where creative aspects of writing, imagery, and design can be applied to feel more ‘human’.  Read More>>

Joëlle Retener

Growing up, I didn’t have artistic aspirations. In fact, I always thought that my brain just wasn’t wired for art. Ultimately, my passion for writing started after becoming a parent. I loved sharing literature with my children but found myself increasingly frustrated by the lack of diversity in picture books at the time. As a child, I rarely found books centering kids like me so it was imperative that my children have a different experience.  Read More>>

Mikaili Culver

I’ve been a makeup artist for over six years, and my passion for beauty and creativity has only grown stronger. Working at mall kiosks, I’ve had the opportunity to meet hundreds of people, each with their own stories and challenges. But once they sit in my chair, it’s my job to ensure their inner beauty shines on the outside. Makeup isn’t just about products—it’s about confidence, self-expression, and transformation. I love the way a well-executed look can make someone feel empowered, and that’s what drives me to keep perfecting my craft. Read More>>

Imani Sumter

I’ve always been a dreamer, a girl with an imagination larger than life. I fell in love with storytelling first, getting lost in the pages of a book and the notes of a song. I loved it so much, I decided I wanted others to feel the same euphoria I felt whenever I picked up a book or heard a song that gave me goosebumps, so I started to write. I began to tell stories in my books and songs that had meaning. Then this evolved into me writing scripts and creative concepts for short films and music videos. Nothing officially, just another passion that grew from the roots of my other passions. Read More>>

Paul Adebajo

The memories and moments we hold so close to our hearts are reminiscent of the emotions we often wish we could feel in present time. As we age, we experience memory reconsolidation, which makes recalling memories slightly different each time, giving them the identity of being reconstructed rather than simply replayed. Being able to capture and relive those emotions through a medium that preserves the integrity of allowing them to be replayed—is something I deeply enjoy. Some may do it for the money, but I do it for the craft. Read More>>

Chef Grubb

I honestly thing that artistic/creative career chose me lol. Fun fact about me my last name is really Grubb. When I started this business that God blessed me with, it honestly wasn’t my passion. I just started doing it bc a post went viral of my Rasta pasta on twitter with 1.5 million views. After the viral post that’s when the floodgates opened and God sent the strangers to support. And it was up from there. I grew a passion for the business and when ppl ask me is my name Chef Grubb just a gimmick, it’s really not! It’s my birth name. It was written so I’m just doing what the Lord blessed me to do, this is my gift Read More>>

Justin Young

Honestly, being a musician is all I’ve ever known. It kind of happened before I can remember. I started playing drums in church when I was 3. Ever since then making or playing music has just been a basic function for me, like eating or sleeping. I’m addicted basically. Read More>>

Joshua Farmer

I was born to be an entertainer, I just enjoy creating something and watching people take to it. Loving what you created or even just in wow of how it was done and wanting to understand how you had the mindset to get it done. Read More>>