“We’re seeing a large increase of campaigns that are targeting our diverse communities, but those narratives are being told by teams who lack diversity altogether. ”
How did we meet?
I’ve known Tyler for almost a decade. We met in Birmingham, Alabama, where we both grew up, and I was instantly drawn to his kind spirit. We are each other’s #1 fans and he’s a big creative inspiration to me.
How did we collaborate?
Tyler designed and helped me build this website.
IG: @tyobsxura
Website: www.tyobsxura.com
TYLER HARRIS
Ty Harris is a creative with a background in strategy, digital marketing, and content production. He hails from a small town in Alabama but currently lives in Los Angeles as an independent contractor, where he creates campaigns and experiential events for brands such as Nike, Jordan, Adidas and the WNBA. He believes that an authentic lens is important when representing diverse communities that influence today’s brands. He creates narratives that encourage all cultures to relate to one another through empowerment, empathy, and compassion, which in turn connects us as humans and makes us better communicators.
Q: How did you begin working on your craft and what has it taught you?
A: I grew up in rural Alabama where there were very few creative resources or opportunities available. After sometime, I realized the South was all about storytelling. Our historical past, our religion, the way we talk and dress, and our soul food. I started to analyze southern culture. Why was there tension? How could I help? Those questions drove me to study communication and psychology, so that I could better understand humans and their behaviors and influence my community through empathy and compassion. It has taught me that storytelling is about helping the audience to self-reflect. The more we understand ourselves, the more we love ourselves, and the better we are able to communicate.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge and biggest opportunity of being a minority in a creative industry?
A: The biggest challenge for a minority is getting in the door. I find that many companies want to hire people that look like them or that they get along with over minority talent and experience. We’re seeing a large increase of campaigns that are targeting our diverse communities, but those narratives are being told by teams who lack diversity altogether. This gives minorities a good opportunity to educate companies on the importance of having diverse creative teams, so that we can capture stories through our lenses and have influence in the narratives that are representing our communities.
Q: What’s one song/album, book, show, or movie that you’re vibing with currently?
A: Book: “Salt” by Nayyirah Waheed is my current read. It explores identity, relationships, and the challenges of minority life through poetry. One of my favorite lines reads: “I want to see brown and black folks photographed by brown and black eyes.”
“The biggest opportunity is getting to be the representation that the industry lacks. That’s so so special.
”
How did we meet?
Whitney and I met in 2016 when she began working at the company I was with. We immediately became friends. She’s a powerhouse and has taught me so much about embracing my womanhood and living unapologetically.
How did we collaborate?
Whitney has been one of the biggest supporters for me to make my career jump.
IG: @djwhitney
Website: www.djwhitney.com
WHITNEY BIBEAU
Starting as a radio host in New York City, Whitney was surrounded by music and deejays who inspired her to become Source Life Radio’s first female DJ, sparking her dedication to empowering women interested in breaking into the world of deejaying and music production. Beyond entertaining hundreds of DJ engagements annually with brands like Reebok, BMW, FILA and Footlocker, Whitney has dedicated time to hosting workshops at various local homeless shelters for women and youth, contributing DJ lessons, hot meals, and leaving every attendee with a backpack of donated personal care products.
Q: How did you begin working on your craft and what has it taught you?
A: I began deejaying after I realized the radio station I was working for had a several female hosts but no female deejays. I asked the CEO and OG deejay, DJ Dreamer 524, if he would teach me. He not only gave me the starting essentials, but has been my mentor and a huge support system for me since day one. Being a DJ has taught me to step outside of my comfort zone. You really have to pave your own path and even though it’s not easy, it’s absolutely worth it.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge and biggest opportunity of being a minority in a creative industry?
A: The biggest challenge is being taken seriously — or as seriously — as my male counterparts. It seems that I have to work harder to prove myself and demonstrate my worth, but I’m always up for it. The biggest opportunity is getting to be the representation that the industry lacks. That’s so so special.
Q: What’s one song/album, book, show, or movie that you’re vibing with currently?
A: I’m actually loving Kehlani’s new mixtape right now — babygirl nailed that project beginning to end.
“We’re aware of the wage and wealth gaps that exist across racial and gender lines, the creative industry is not exempt.
”
How did we meet?
Ray and I met in 2016 when he began shooting local events that I was curating. To me, he doesn’t just take photos, he captures emotion. His talent is undeniable and he’s one of my favorite photographers, hands down.
How did we collaborate?
Ray photographed all of the photos of me included on my website.
IG: @rayneutron
Website: www.rayneutron.com
RAY SPEARS
After being fired from a factory job at 21, Ray thought he had hit rock bottom. In reality, the manager who fired him knew he was destined for better things. Taking a janitorial job at a church to get by, Ray learned to anticipate the human behavior that would dictate his work for the day. This skill influenced his photography work and helped him land his first break in Los Angeles as a wedding photography editor. With a background in audio engineering, graphic design, and photography, Ray wants to showcase everything that grabs his interest, including interior design, album art, and architecture. Ray captures everything from portraits and documentary to environmental portraiture and commercial work.
Q: How did you begin working on your craft and what has it taught you?
A: At the risk of sounding like a dinosaur, MySpace. My friends would have me take their profile photos, which by the way, was a guaranteed way to end up in their Top 8. Photography has taught me to look closely, observe just a little longer, and that even the seemingly mundane is significant and worthy of my attention.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge and biggest opportunity of being a minority in a creative industry?
A: The biggest challenge is the same thing as other industries— getting paid what my white counterparts are paid. We’re aware of the wage and wealth gaps that exist across racial and gender lines, the creative industry is not exempt.
Q: What’s one song/album, book, show, or movie that you’re vibing with currently?
A: Song: “When I Get Home” by Solange, Book: “The Color of Compromise” by Jenar Tisby, Show: “Justified”. Full of characters whose lives run parallel, incessant danger, and lots of bourbon.
“ I am often the only minority in the room, which I see as an opportunity to offer a different perspective and begin conversations that otherwise would not happen. ”
How did we meet?
Cathy is one of the first people I met when I moved to New York in 2014. She’s become my best friend and I absolutely admire how fearless she is. I’m grateful for her constant support and our bond.
How did we collaborate?
Cathy designed a custom resume and cover letter for me.
CATHERINE HERRERA
Cathy Herrera is a New York City based designer with expertise in branding, graphic design, and art direction. Currently, she is the VP of Creative Direction at The Araca Group, the leading music merchandising company whose mission is to directly engage artist’s audiences by creating high-quality products and experiences across a variety of distribution channels. As VP of Creative Direction, she oversees the conception and development of brand campaigns for world-renowned artists such as P!NK, Led Zeppelin, The Lumineers, and more. In her spare time, you can always find her doing something artistic, whether it be shooting film, teaching herself how to play guitar, or traveling.
Q: How did you begin working on your craft and what has it taught you?
A: Growing up, I always had an interest in photography, so visual artistry was always on my radar. I dedicated hours of my day teaching myself Photoshop so that I could convey the message I wanted to. Through that process, I discovered that I loved designing. While my career evolution in design has taught me a lot, one of the more difficult lessons I’ve learned is understanding that you, as the designer, ultimately don’t design for your portfolio. Instead, you design for the client. I’ve had to balance caring about my work without being too attached because design is subjective. It is incredibly important to listen, understand, and correctly interpret the client’s feedback through their lens.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge and biggest opportunity of being a minority in a creative industry?
A: As a second-generation Colombian-American, I am often the only minority in the room, which I see as an opportunity to offer a different perspective and begin conversations that otherwise would not happen. In the merchandise industry, it’s crucial to understand the demographic that you’re designing for. I find it empowering to be able to shed light on cultural trends for our Latino clients. At the same time, being the only minority in the room can feel discouraging. Trying to break through that can feel taxing, but I quickly remind myself I’m there for a reason and that I have the opportunity to speak my truth.
Q: What’s one song/album, book, show, or movie that you’re vibing with currently?
A: Song: “When My Heart Felt Volcanic” by The Aces. I saw them live recently and have been obsessed ever since. They’re an all-girl band, the lead singer and drummer are sisters, and they’re also Latinas! So badass.
“If leaders are only hiring people who look like them, it perpetuates a cycle of misrepresentation. When more people like us are in the room making decisions, that’s when the presence of equality expands.
”
How did we meet?
Tevin and I met in 2016 when he began working at the company I was with. We have been friends ever since and everything he creates excites me. I’m in awe of his talent.
How did we collaborate?
Tevin designed my logo and branding.
IG: @tevinbloise
Website: www.tevinbloise.com
TEVIN BLOISE
Tevin Bloise is a multidisciplinary designer hailing from Queens, New York with expertise in art direction, branding, and typography. Tevin is a futurist at heart and is incredibly curious about the creative field. Most recently, he designed for Todd Snyder, the leading online destination for men's contemporary fashion and streetwear. Tevin actively works with startups, agencies, and corporations and has designed for distinguished clients such as Google, WeWork, Jabra, Pernod Ricard, Pallmann, and The Weather Channel. When he’s not designing, you can find him watching anime, enjoying a good bowl of ramen, playing with 3D software, or boxing.
Q: How did you begin working on your craft and what has it taught you?
A: When I first began, I put all of my time and energy into refining my skill in branding and logo creation. I applied the “quantity over quality” approach because in order to get better, I needed to create as much as I could. That approach taught me a lot because it helped me find the style of design that I enjoyed doing the most. I’ve learned that patience is an absolute key factor when it comes to designing, managing client expectations (and your own for that matter), and improving at your craft. I’m consistently reminding myself of that.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge and biggest opportunity of being a minority in a creative industry?
A: The current challenge is having an equal playing field. When anyone has a chance to be in a role that they have the qualifications for, a chance to speak up and be heard, or have the same level of access, despite what they look or where they come from, that’s true equality. To me, diversity and inclusion is common sense. It’s necessary. When I’m stepping into rooms for client pitches, I rarely see people who look like me making the hiring decisions. So, if leaders are only hiring people who look like them, it perpetuates a cycle of misrepresentation. When more people like us are in the room making decisions, that’s when the presence of equality expands.
Q: What’s one song/album, book, show, or movie that you’re vibing with currently?
A: Love, Death, and Robots on Netflix is my shit, currently. That show is a product of many talented people in a variety of fields who are doing amazing work together.
“The biggest opportunity is being able to show others who come from where I do and who look like me that they belong just as much as anyone else.”
How did we meet?
Nathalie and I met in 2018 when she began working at the company I was with. I’m constantly empowered by her persistence and determination in all that she does.
How did we collaborate?
Nathalie and I are creating content together focused on expanding Latinx narratives and representation.
IG: @moreforme_
Website: www.moreforme.me
NATHALIE MERCADO
Nathalie Mercado is a writer, photographer, designer, and womanist raised in the heart of the South Bronx. She studied Communications in Digital Media at Pace University and has recently created a platform highlighting the normalcies of dealing with failure and life in the digital era with her brand, MoreforMe.
Q: How did you begin working on your craft and what has it taught you?
A: Growing up, I struggled in school because my parents did not speak English. I witnessed my teachers lose interest in me because I learned slower due to the language barrier. So, I made a promise to myself that I’d learn to read in English. Most of the time, that meant highlighting every word in the book I was reading and looking it up until I learned it. I slowly felt my confidence build over time. Today, I’m still passionate about reading and writing. Reading a book opens me up to someone else’s story and it’s important for me to provide that experience to other women, which is why I share my vulnerabilities out loud. In 2008, I started taking writing seriously and published my own blog. Photography, however, happened by accident. At the time, I was in between majors and my counselor suggested trying something creative to take the edge off of deciding what I was going “to be.” I had just left culinary school and was ashamed of the fact that it didn’t work out. I felt like a failure after two “wasted” years. So on a whim, I gave a photography class a try and I’m so glad I did. I felt like I had found something that helped me understand myself better.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge and biggest opportunity of being a minority in a creative industry?
A: The biggest challenge for me is overcoming imposter syndrome and the idea that I don’t belong here. At the same time, the biggest opportunity is being able to show others who come from where I do and who look like me that they belong just as much as anyone else.
Q: What’s one song/album, book, show, or movie that you’re vibing with currently?
A: I’m really into the latest bachata songs and artists such as El Chaval, El Torito, and Zacarias Ferreira. Every time I feel overwhelmed with life, I put them on and I feel my power flow back in to me.