A celebration of creative excellence for Black History Month 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 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. Also, read about more moments of creative excellence in last year’s series. Black Heart OOH campaign creator on storytelling in unsettling times Tim Wasicki East Coast Regional Creative Director, Outfront Billy Porter on how his iconic tuxedo ball gown changed everything Guest Editor: Billy Porter Actor, singer, director, producer, composer, playwright Ron Kellum on creating safe spaces for creatives Ron Kellum Producer, director, artist, choreographer 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 Beyoncé’s longtime stylist Ty Hunter on preparing for disruption Ty Hunter Celebrity stylist and author Charles Randolph-Wright on the heroes who gave him permission to dream Charles Randolph-Wright Director, television producer, screenwriter and playwright Kwame Taylor-Hayford on learning from mistakes and missteps Guest Editor: Kwame Taylor-Hayford Co-Founder, Kin Tyler Hicks on the launch campaign for Kinlò, Naomi Osaka’s suncare line Tyler Hicks Senior art director, Kin Sylvia Zakhary on building an agency as a woman of color Sylvia Zakhary Founder & CEO of Mamag Group Oriel Davis-Lyons on offering Black creatives the chance to build a world-class portfolio Oriel Davis-Lyons CCO, Mother; Founder, One School Birk Creative’s JinJa Birkenbeuel on working with helpers—and being a helper yourself Guest Editor: JinJa Birkenbeuel CEO, Birk Creative and Songwriter, Utah Carol Envisioning Equity’s Kara Wright on incorporating diverse perspectives into the creative process Kara Wright Managing Director, Envisioning Equity Dr. Eric Whitaker on how Black creativity can change lives Dr. Eric E. Whitaker Founder & Executive Chairman, Zing Health Plant Salon’s Nika Vaughan on creating a space ‘where community grows’ Nika Vaughan Founder, Plant Salon Filmmaker Garrett Bradley on creating work for ‘a more transparent, loving and just world’ Garrett Bradley Artist and filmmaker Steve Stoute on the making of a legendary Reebok commercial Guest Editor: Steve Stoute Founder and CEO, Translation and UnitedMasters Director X on making the moving film ‘Seven Mothers’ for fashion label Pyer Moss Julien Christian Lutz, aka Director X Film director and co-founder, Fela 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 Docuseries 'Other Boys NYC' gives 50 LGBTQ New Yorkers of color space to tell their stories Guest Editor: Abdool Corlette Creative Director, GLAAD; Co-founder, NEON Midwestern trans women of color share their stories in Vice series 'Transnational' Eva Reign Actress and Journalist Hippy Potter's vibrant artwork spreads optimism amid unrest Thaddeus Coates Artist These films explore the subtleties of sex, mental health and more in the Black LGBTQ+ community LaQuann Dawson Creative director and photographer This anthology of writers aims to show the dimensionality of queer life Zach Stafford Journalist Week 4 A production leader puts diversity at the forefront Guest Editor: Sophie Gold Founder, executive producer, Eleanor This CMO opened an agency in Ghana with sights set on reclaiming Africa's creative birthright Kofi Amoo-Gottfried CMO, Doordash NBA 2K gave this director a big comedy break Candice Vernon Director, Chromista These photos boldly confront stereotypes about Africa Dawit N.M. Photographer An iconic beauty brand steps into modern day with this new Black-led agency Gabrielle Shirdan Founder, Chief Creative Officer, Kitchen Table Web production by Corey Holmes.

A celebration of creative excellence for Black History Month 2023

Featured Stories