My Very 1st Culture Con: God Did
I vaguely recall hearing about Culture Con back in 2018 when I first enrolled at Howard University. As a result of my move from New York to Washington, DC, I no longer had much access to New York events because my work load picked up very quickly. Fast forward to 2020, I was finally back in New York but everything was on lockdown as a result of the pandemic. Culture Con was amongst the many events that were canceled not only in 2020 but for 2021 also. As soon as I learned that Culture Con was back in activity, I knew I had to finally attend.
This year, Culture Con was held on October 8th, 2022 in Brooklyn, New York. I scrambled to figure out how I was going to get there, knowing that the tickets were a bit pricey (rigthfully so). At this time, I was unaware of the student discount so I knew I was going to have to make something (else) shake! I remember writing in my iPad notes that I wanted to attend this year and I was determined to make it happen. To my surprise, I was approached by a brand to illustrate a part of an activation they we’re holding at Culture Con. I was ecstatic that this would guarantee me the opportunity to attend the event I was looking forward to for so long! God had answered my prayers…
Or so I thought. Unfortunately, the brand decided to take another route in the design and the project fell through. I can’t deny that I was devastated and had honestly accepted defeat. A few weeks later, The CCNYC account shared a post encouraging their audience to “shoot their shot” and introduce themselves for the chance to win 2 Culture Con tickets and to have an introductory video shown on their screen. I saw that a bunch of my friends commented shooting their shot and figured I’d go ahead and do the same. I didn’t think much of it, I left a sentence or two about who I was, what I do and who I’ve worked with.
One morning a good friend of mine, Kaci (SHAMELESS PLUG: Check out @BlackGirlsInArtSpaces), called me to let me know she was chosen from the post and offered me to be her +1 to the event. Ecstatic was not the word. Just when I thought God was finished coming through, I opened my Instagram DM’s to realize that I had received a message from The CCNYC myself: I too was chosen from the post! I couldn’t believe it. I immediately called Kaci back to let her know the good news and expressed my gratitude while encouraging her to bring someone else as her plus 1!
At this point, I had no doubt that my attendance was quite literally destined. One thing about my God: He gon’ make a way every single time! I invited my best friend Bella (ANOTHER SHAMELESS PLUG: Check out @ItsIsaBlues) to attend as I knew this would be an amazing opportunity for her to connect with other musical artists.
October 8th rolled around quickly and the experience was nothing short of amazing. I had the chance to see my video on the wide screen, shown to thousands of people. All throughout the day, I met mutuals from social media and even a ton of new creators. I even met my good friend Kaci for the first time in person and had the opportunity to introduce her to my best friend while she introduced me to hers. It felt like a great big episode crossover.
The line up was not to be missed! Some of my all time favorites including Tabitha Brown, Elaine Welteroth and Tracey Ellis Ross, all spoke and dropped gems! Everywhere you turned, black and brown creators graced the building in all kinds of fits. Culture Con was also filled with activations from companies including Footlocker, Reebok, LinkedIn Instagram, Toyota and so many others. They even featured small Black businesses! It truly felt like a match made in heaven. The atmosphere was that of one where everyone was determined to have a good time.
By the end of the day, all I could think about was how God will always make a way. No matter what comes up or falls through, he will make a way for me to be in the rooms he’s called me to be in. It is my hope and prayer that one day, I’ll have the privilege of gracing the stage to share my creative experience and inspire + guide creators who also sit in the very room.