BIPOC Creatives In Colorado on Moving Up, Gaining Experience, and Opportunity
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) are disheartened in their creative work: told they have no opportunities to move up into leadership positions, not hired for organizations at market rates, asked to work for little or free. There are instances when these individuals are going freelance and moving out of Colorado, in hopes of more opportunities in their fields. Why is this and how can the community and organizations support BIPOC creatives and their work?
In discussion with a diverse panel of photographers, graphic designers, events organizers, and influencers/bloggers, hosted by Demi Harvey (Host at radio station Indie 102.3 and digital creator) we dive into the bleak realities of being a creative at different stages in their careers and what they’re doing to combat these issues and encourage a new generation of creatives.
Panelists:
- Daisy Corso
- Katerina Jeng
- Niki Robins
- Bret Sundberg
Converge Denver is located in the RiNo Arts District, across the street from The Source. There is free street parking on Brighton Blvd or you can park in the Source Hotel garage, which is free for the first hour and $5 for four hours.
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Demi Harvey
Demi is a social media maven that has been in the digital marketing game for nearly 9 years. She has worked in media from The Colorado Springs Independent to Ultra5280 and now Colorado Public Radio. Passionate about creativity, Demi has dabbled in photography, video editing, creative direction, podcasting, and journalistic writing. You can catch her with her phone in hand at all times, ready to catch a perfect moment for the many social channels she runs. Currently, Demi is the Digital and Social Media Editor at Colorado Public Radio where she manages and creates content for Indie 102.3 and CPR Classical's digital platforms. She also joined nonprofit organization Colorful Colorado Collaborations as their Marketing Director, where she manages digital campaigns and handles PR. Demi has always been passionate about the Colorado music and arts community and has dedicated her skills to serve organizations like The Underground Music Showcase, Meow Wolf, Youth on Record, and Westword Music Showcase.
Daisy Corso
Daisy (they/them) is a queer non-binary Latinx Designer specializing in Brand Design and DEI strategy integration of a brand’s ideation, development and extension. They specialize in applying the brand to the digital and built environments creating holistic experiences through an accessible and equitable lens and framework. Recognizing the powerful connectivity and potentiality of design, they focus on community-based design approaches. Daisy centers their energy and problem-solving skills in diversity, equity and inclusion—with a sketchbook in hand—leading bold conversations and working with marginalized populations toward creating a holistically greater quality of life. Daisy earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design, graduating magna cum laude, from Metropolitan State University of Denver. They were also awarded the 2018 SEGD Global Design Award and invited to participate in the 2019 SEGD Global Design Award Jury.
Katerina Jeng
Katerina (she/her) is a Filipina-Taiwanese-American poet, community organizer, and creative entrepreneur. She is the co-founder and Strategic Director of Spectacle, Colorado's leading inclusive content marketing agency. Katerina's work has been featured in People, CBS News, Talks at Google, TEDx, HuffPost, and more.
Niki Robins
Storyteller, community creator, and shapeshifter—Niki lives to transform every day with joy. To her, joy is collective liberation.
As the co-founder of Spectacle Marketing, she harnesses the power of social media to create intentional content for ever-evolving brands, passionately working to create a digital landscape where inclusivity is the norm rather than an afterthought. Through every stage of their journey, Niki meets brands and people where they are by utilizing storytelling as a tool to drive community.
Drawing from her bicultural identity, Niki creates space for reflection around mixedness, ambiguity, and being queer, encouraging those around her to integrate radical politics + imagination into their every day life and actions. She devotes her time to create trust and belonging in her relationships, relying on her adaptability and effervescence to intuit the needs of others. She makes space for what we cannot see or don’t know is possible (yet). Her work as a future bringer is shaped by being a forever student and remembering that growth is ongoing, never final.
Niki is most comfortable galloping the horizon, tending to her indoor garden, and making a mess.
Bret Sundberg
I'm Bret, a Colorado native with a passion for design, plants and positivity. Being born and raised here has offered a unique perspective into being both Black and creative. I'm currently the Director of Design for a staging company called Guest House and have worked my way up over the last three years after being the very first employee. During covid I also started a very impromptu house plant business selling plants on Instagram called Plant Shawty. Although my plate is often very full, I always make time to hang out with my family, support my other local creative friends and teach myself new ways to grow while maintaining balance.
