Meet the 2025 Fall CEI Cohort

The Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) is back this fall, supporting Mecklenburg County creatives with a combination of training, fellowship and funding to help them embrace their roles as artists and small business owners.

Over the next 10 weeks, the 15 members of the Fall 2025 CEI Cohort will get:

• • 10 classes on topics like relationship building, project management, bookkeeping, marketing and contracts⁣
  • A $50 stipend for every class they attend⁣
  • Access to 1-on-1 business consultations & creative mentors⁣
  • ⁣Promotion through Charlotte Is Creative’s media channels⁣
  • ⁣Connection to a supportive alumni network⁣
  • A $1,500 grant at the end to invest in their creative business⁣

Introducing the CEI 2025 Fall Cohort

The individuals in the Fall cohort represent the 7th group of CEI creatives and are engaged in a wide array of artistic disciplines ranging from photography, filmmaking and fashion to performing arts, illustration and ceramics.

Allison Graham

Discipline: Theater Arts
IG: @allisonbgraham

Allison creates performance art that responds to the times and speaks to contemporary audiences.

What can people hire you to do?

• Acting (theater and film)
• Coaching actors for audition tapes and scene work
• Screenwriting/playwriting
• Directing
• Creative direction

Danoshia Blake

Discipline: Textile & Visual Artist
IG: @tuft.shxt

Danoshia focuses on consistency and evolution in her creative process, pushing through blocks to keep growing.

What can people hire you to do?

• Custom rugs
• Commissions
• Murals
• Workshops/classes
• Social media content
• Pop-up shops
• Collaborations

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Derra Moise

Discipline: Visual Artist
IG: @derra.joy

Derra’s work is inspired by emotion, nature, and simplicity, aiming to uplift and connect with others.

What can people hire you to do?

• Prints
• Events
• Custom pieces
• Murals or small projects

Destiny “Menia” Reeves

Discipline: Fashion Designer/Instructor
Web: meniapaige.com
IG: @meniapaige

Destiny blends fashion and education, working to inspire the next generation of designers while growing her luxury retail brand.

What can people hire you to do?

• Custom Design
• Sewing Clubs
• Wardrobe Consulting
• Creative Experiences

Devaun “Dev” Clyburn

Discipline: Photography/Videography/Filmmaking/Music
IG: @devography.raw 

Devaun creates professional editorial and event photography and videography with strong street style influences.

What can people hire you to do?

• Freelance photography
• Freelance videography
• Music/streaming projects

Ella Stafford

Discipline: Ceramics and Education
Web: vsgnc.com
IG: @villagestudionc

Ella is a ceramic artist who shares her craft through community education.

What can people hire you to do?

• Teaching
• Hosting events
• Selling artwork

Hannah Permenter

Discipline: Illustration
IG: @hannah_permenter01

Hannah creates illustrations inspired by the joy found in everyday life and the natural world.

What can people hire you to do?

• Book Illustration
• Pet Portraits
• Concept Art Illustration
• Teaching

Johari Huggins

Discipline: Muralist and Illustrator
Web: joharihuggs.com
IG: @joharihuggs

Johari celebrates playfulness and whimsy through her word-based visual art.

What can people hire you to do?

• Mural painting
• Illustration
• Graphic design
• Identity design

Kristin Hope

Discipline: Florist
Web: everythingprettycollective.com
IG: @everythingprettycollective

Kristin designs luxury event florals with an emphasis on sustainability and creativity.

What can people hire you to do?

• Wedding florals
• Specialty tabletop rentals
• Dinner/party florals
• Stage design

Molly Partyka

Discipline: Expressionistic Mixed Media Artist
Web: mollypartyka.com
IG: @mollypartyka

Molly connects human experiences with color, shape, and texture to inspire tranquility, travel, and exploration.

What can people hire you/support you?

• Original artwork for sale through Art House Charlotte
• Selling original artwork, custom textile designs, and prints through pop-up markets, VAPA and her website
• Art Workshops & Art Classes for all ages (Kindergarten to Adults)
• Private Art Lessons for all ages (Kindergarten to Adults)

Nick Williamson

Discipline: Documentary Filmmaker, Director and Video Editor
Web: mislabeledproductions.com
IG: @mislabeled.productions

Nicholas is a visual storyteller with a passion for original and impactful documentary filmmaking.

What can people hire you to do?

• Public Events
• Video Production
• Video Editing
• Sound Design

Norma Zuniga

Discipline: Mexican Baking
Web: dulcedreamscafe.com
IG: @dulcedreamscafe

Norma experiments with flavors to create unique pastries and baked goods.

What can people hire you to do?

• Pop-ups/markets selling pastries

Susan Cherin

Discipline: Theatre
Web: thelotusprojectnc.com
IG: @thelotusprojectnc

Susan develops inclusive and affirming theatre experiences that explore both the hardships and the beauty of life.

What does your nonprofit, The Lotus Project, create?

• Community productions for, and with, all ages, backgrounds and abilities
• Interactive touring show for ages 2-10 in English and Spanish
• Custom workshops for businesses and organizations focusing on team building, communication, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• In School residencies in performing/visual arts, integrating arts with academic curriculum, cultural sensitivity, and social/emotional learning
• Summer Intensives and theatre education training programs

Tasia Brown

Discipline: Visual Creative Director
IG: @the.esm__

Tasia fuses dance, music, poetry, and fashion into visual stories that celebrate art and elevate creative voices.

What can people hire you to do?

• Run a modeling agency to uplift talent and showcase creative direction
• Curate fashion shows highlighting style, diversity, and storytelling
• Produce and curate corporate photography pop-up events
• Host confidence-building workshops
• Direct short films
• Direct music videos, fashion campaigns, marketing promos, and dance shorts

Whitney Galasso

Discipline: Ceramic Artist
Web: whitsko.com
IG: @whitsko

Whitney makes one-of-a-kind ceramic sculptures and colorful functional pottery.

What can people hire you to do?

• Vendor markets (e.g., Carolina Clay Matters Guild pottery festival)
• Studio artist sales at Clayworks seasonal markets