Meet the Fall 2024 Cohort of the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative 

Charlotte Is Creative is thrilled to announce the 15 local artists selected for the Fall 2024 Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative Cohort (CEI). 

This immensely talented group represents a fraction of the impressive applicant pool. The Fall 2024 Cohort showcases a wide diversity of background, experience and creative practices, ranging from visual arts and music to digital arts, fiber art and culinary art. 

WHAT IS CEI?

Beginning the end of August, the 15 cohort members below will be paid to take part in introductory business training courses and workshops, many of which will be available for public audit. They will network with fellow CEI members, alumni and Charlotte’s expanding creative and business community. After successful completion of the CEI program, cohort members will receive a $1,500 honorarium to invest in their creative business.

CEI is intended to help cohort members bolster their creative and artistic skills with the knowledge and framework needed to succeed as small businesses in a business-oriented city.

CEI was developed by Charlotte Is Creative and supported by Wells Fargo and Mecklenburg County with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), as well as support from Interact Studio and the DoGreater Foundation.

MEET THE COHORT!

The 15 creatives below won’t begin meeting as a group until late summer, but each of them is active right now. Read up on them. Follow them. Get to know them. Attend their events. And, best of all hire them to create something amazing for you or your company.

Alexander Lieberman

Collaborative Artist and Designer
IG: @awl.video and @awl.implements
WEB: awlvideo.com

How can people experience Alexander’s work this summer?
Liberman will be presenting a new design at the ArtPop Upcycled Fashion Show on September 14 at the Sullenberger Aviation Museum. 

Brenton Bent

Narrative Film Producer/Director
IG: @bsinima
WEB: linktr.ee/bsinima

How can people experience Bent’s work this summer?
Attend events at B Sinima Studios or follow Bent on Instagram to keep up with his latest projects.

Carolina Quintana Ocampo

Storyboarding and Illustration
IG: @katrinakalos
PORTFOLIO: carolinaquintanastory.com

How can people experience Quintana Ocampo’s work this summer?
Quintana Ocampo’s work is now on display at Summit Coffee Noda in June for Pride Month. You can also dive into her process of creating storyboard animatics in her portfolio.

Gabriel Mejia

Music Production and Audio Engineering
IG: @gabriel.mejia.estrella

How can people experience Mejia’s work this summer?

Watch Mejia on Instagram for updates on his home recording studio project.

Jamil Steele a.k.a. Dyair

Muralist, Painter and Freelance Illustrator
IG: @dyairart
WEB: dyairart.com

How can people experience Dyair’s work this summer?
Dyair will be working on a public art project with Curtis King, transforming the underpass pillars of I-77 and West Blvd in Charlotte’s Historic West End.

Kenya Templeton

Music & Fiber Art
IG: @kenya_templeton_does, @griot.designs, @kenyatempletonperforms

How can people experience Templeton’s work this summer?
Templeton is performing with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra on June 21 and preparing for an exhibit at the VAPA Center opening August 3.

Krishanni Smith

Filmmaker, Producer & Photographer
IG: @thingsunsaid
WEB: redcoastproductions.com

How can people experience Smith’s work this summer?
Contact Smith via email or Instagram to collaborate on creative projects.

Malachai Elliott

Multidisciplinary Visual Artist
IG: @mac_of_all_trades

How can people experience Elliott’s work this summer?
Elliott will be creating murals, live paintings throughout the summer while preparing to open a studio/gallery.

Marquia Humphries

Mixed Media, Visual Note-taking
IG: @leaving.my.marq

How can people experience Humphries’ work this summer?
Follow Humphries on Instagram for updates on her projects and events.

Pam Imhof

Public & Fiber Artist, Educator
IG: @theleftbrainedartist
WEB: theleftbrainedartist.com

How can people experience Imhof’s work this summer?
Visit Imhof at her studio at the VAPA Center starting June 1 and take a painting class with her at Wine & Design Charlotte.

Chef Reyana Radcliff

Executive Chef, Culinary Consultant
IG: @your_braisen_chef
WEB: your-braisen-chef-llc.square.site

How can people experience Reyana’s work this summer?
Follow Redcliff on Instagram to see updates on her chef demos at local farmers’ markets.

Sophia Ege

Sewing and fiber art
IG: @sew_social_clt
WEB: Meet-Up Group

How can people experience Ege’s work this summer?
Attend a sewing workshop with Sew Social CLT, with events held at the maker space at Derita Design (another CEI graduate).

Toni Lovejoy

Fine Art, Architectural & Interior Photographer
IG: @mynameis.lovejoy
WEB: linktr.ee/mynameislovejoy

How can people experience Lovejoy’s work this summer?
Lovejoy will be teaching two photography classes sponsored by Culture Blocks in July and August, culminating in a group show on August 30 at the Northern Regional Recreation Center on Old Statesville Road. Additionally, she will be shooting for architecture and design clients.

Travis Barnes

Experience Curator & Communications Specialist
IG: @_thet_
WEB: linktr.ee/travthemimosa

How can people experience Barnes’ work this summer?
Follow Barnes on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process and updates on his latest projects.

Victoria Call

Interdisciplinary Artist & Designer
IG: @vcballah
WEB: goodcallstudios.com

How can people experience Call’s work this summer?
Follow Call on Instagram and visit her website for project images, business updates and more.

What Are You Most Looking Forward to with CEI in the Fall?

We asked the cohort members above what they’re most excited about looking to the experience ahead. Here are some of our favorite responses.

• “There are so many things to look forward to, but I am most excited to be surrounded by driven individuals who are passionate about growing their creative business. That sort of energy is contagious.” – Marquia Humphries
• “I’m looking forward to connecting not only with different artists in my cohort, but also with the overall creative community of Charlotte. I’m excited to grow my roots and see where my creative journey takes me this time.” – Carolina Quintana
• “As a lifelong learner, I am looking forward to developing the tools to grow my creative business into a sustainable pursuit. I’m also excited to connect with the network of current and past cohort members.” – Alexander Windner Lieberman
• “I’m looking forward to exchanging big ideas, exploring new opportunities and putting love into our community.” – Sophia Ege
• “I am most excited about participating in the CEI program this fall to deepen my understanding of the business aspects of public art creation.” – Jamil Steele/Dyair