The Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) is back, supporting Mecklenburg County creatives with a combination of training, fellowship and funding to help them embrace their roles as artists and small business owners.
The group of creatives below was selected from an incredibly talented pool of applicants. Each of them displayed the talent, determination and drive necessary to succeed in this program. Ranging from dance, to painting and illustration, to fashion, music, brand design and more, these creatives have the talent. Now, we’re going to arm them with know-how.
Over the next three months, the 15 members of the Spring 2026 CEI Cohort will get:
- 10 classes on topics like relationship building, business plans, budgeting and pricing, marketing and contracts
- A $50 stipend for every class they attend
- Access to 1-on-1 business consultations and 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 SPRING 2026 COHORT
Audrey Baran
Dance/Choreography
@barandance
Audrey is a contemporary dance choreographer, educator and company director.
LĒiKA
Multimedia Arts
@leiks.irl
LEiKA creates hand-painted and decorated mirror art, as well as digital designs centered on identity, beauty, wellness and self-expression.
Gianna Ross
Fashion Design
@streetserenadeapparel
Gianna is a fashion designer and instructor who uses cultural storytelling in her work.
Hoan Rahlan
Painter
@hoantheartist
Hoan is a painter and educator using storytelling to explore cultural identity, memory and healing.
Irena Robinson
Fashion
@eatmexeatme
Irena is a sustainable fashion designer specializing in upcycled clothing, alterations, and community-centered creative workshops.
Keudis Sanchez
Multidisciplinary Arts
@keudisanchz
Keudis is a multimedia visual artist specializing in photography, painting, sculpture, printmaking, folkloric music and dance.
Maggie Lowe
Music
@maggany
Maggie writes and performs original music, “I sing stories.”
Marie-Laurence Daigle
Painting/Ceramics
@marieldaigle
Marie-Laurence is a painter and ceramic artist whose functional work reflects her disciplined, inventive, and resilient approach to problem-solving.
Megan Hill
Multimedia Arts/Muralist
@meganhillartistry
Megan is a multimedia artist creating community murals and selling original artwork online.
Mj Lopez
Painting/Illustration
@modest.mango
Mj is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist telling a journey from tragedy to triumph through diverse mediums.
Najee Whitehead
Graphic & Motion Design
@nahhmyg
Najee is a graphic and motion designer for companies, events and broadcast.
Sally Stokes
Event Hosting/Community Connection
@playmorecharlotte
Sally helps adults find safety, joy and belonging through play, silliness and nostalgia.
Sarah Ingel
Dance/Performance
@singelarity
Sarah Ingel is a choreographer, performer, and producer who uses dance as a form of activism, fostering thoughtful and meaningful community engagement.
Terrell Milton
Fashion
@isewforfood
Terrell Milton is a fashion designer transforming ideas into bold, thoughtful designs that shape the culture of fashion within the community.
Vianna Thomas
Brand, Product & Graphic Design
@innerlitstudios
Vianna builds brand identity systems and teaches technical tools for creative growth.
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Established by Charlotte Is Creative in 2021, the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) is made possible with funds from Wells Fargo and Mecklenburg County with funds allocated by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). CEI also receives resource support from Interact Studio and the Do Greater Foundation.
