Creative Black Excellence Celebrated

For Black History Month, creative innovators share key moments in their careers

Image courtesy of Outfront Media. Published on February 1, 2023

Creative Black Excellence Celebrated

For Black History Month, creative innovators share key moments in their careers

Image courtesy of Outfront Media. Published on February 1, 2023

Once again for Black History Month, Ad Age will celebrate Black creative excellence every weekday throughout the month. Now in its third year, the project is designed to shine a light on key moments in the careers of inspiring and influential creators from across the industry. We have selected four change-makers to serve as guest editors. They will kick things off with a pivotal project from their own careers, and then give the stage to other talents who are shaping the industry in impactful ways.

New this year, we are partnering with Outfront to showcase some of the industry’s most creative talent on their digital out-of-home media across the U.S. Adage End Bug

Also, read about more moments of creative excellence in last year’s series.

Week 2

Vivian Scott Chew on the power of music—and the making of ‘Night of Inspiration’ at Carnegie Hall

Vivian Scott Chew

Founder, TimeZone International and founding partner, Chew Entertainment

Week 3

Week 4

Web production by Corey Holmes.

Creative Black Excellence Celebrated

For Black History Month, creative innovators share key moments in their careers

Creative Black Excellence Celebrated

For Black History Month, creative innovators share key moments in their careers

Black Heart OOH campaign creator on storytelling in unsettling times

Billy Porter on how his iconic tuxedo ball gown changed everything

Ron Kellum on creating safe spaces for creatives

Vivian Scott Chew on the power of music—and the making of ‘Night of Inspiration’ at Carnegie Hall

Beyoncé’s longtime stylist Ty Hunter on preparing for disruption

Charles Randolph-Wright on the heroes who gave him permission to dream

Kwame Taylor-Hayford on learning from mistakes and missteps

Tyler Hicks on the launch campaign for Kinlò, Naomi Osaka’s suncare line

Sylvia Zakhary on building an agency as a woman of color

Oriel Davis-Lyons on offering Black creatives the chance to build a world-class portfolio

Birk Creative’s JinJa Birkenbeuel on working with helpers—and being a helper yourself

Envisioning Equity’s Kara Wright on incorporating diverse perspectives into the creative process

Dr. Eric Whitaker on how Black creativity can change lives

Plant Salon’s Nika Vaughan on creating a space ‘where community grows’

Filmmaker Garrett Bradley on creating work for ‘a more transparent, loving and just world’

Steve Stoute on the making of a legendary Reebok commercial

Director X on making the moving film ‘Seven Mothers’ for fashion label Pyer Moss

Week 2

Vivian Scott Chew on the power of music—and the making of ‘Night of Inspiration’ at Carnegie Hall

Week 3

Docuseries 'Other Boys NYC' gives 50 LGBTQ New Yorkers of color space to tell their stories

Midwestern trans women of color share their stories in Vice series 'Transnational'

Hippy Potter's vibrant artwork spreads optimism amid unrest

These films explore the subtleties of sex, mental health and more in the Black LGBTQ+ community

This anthology of writers aims to show the dimensionality of queer life

Week 4

A production leader puts diversity at the forefront

This CMO opened an agency in Ghana with sights set on reclaiming Africa's creative birthright

NBA 2K gave this director a big comedy break

These photos boldly confront stereotypes about Africa

An iconic beauty brand steps into modern day with this new Black-led agency