Culture Con completed another year of providing a fantastic, loving atmosphere of sharing, education, fun and connection! About 2,000 creatives came ready to listen to all the helpful information from the extensive on time panelist discussions about business, marketing, sharing personal stories as well as networking and having fun with fellow creatives. If you haven’t done so already, download the Culture Con App to view ALL the speakers biographies.
Everything kicked of 8am in the morning at the Duggal Greenhouse inside the Brooklyn Navy Yard with breakfast powered by Meredith, warming up early arrivers from the morning brisk temperature with coffee, tea (Earl Grey/Tropical Green Tea) and delicious small Danishes and mini muffins, scones and pastries.
ACTIVATE YOUR FUN SIDE!
As the day went on, there were some fun activities and shopping experiences powered by the sponsors – Certified Classics, Verizon, HBO, Netflix, Bumblebizz, Foot Locker, Cadillac, Martell and of course Target in the ACTIVATION ALLEY located by the Creators Stage. Watch live painting on Cadillac’s car display and take photos at HBO, Culture, Martell, Bumblebizz, and Netflix booths. Practice or show off your shooting/dunking skills and cheer for players on the bleachers in the Foot Locker area. Promote yourself writing on HBO’s “What’s Your Craft” wall and learn what Verizon has created for innovative learning in classrooms on their wall gallery and table displays.
Shop and connect with vendors in the Target small business market. Alexandra Winbush offered self-care peaceful and calming candles and tea blends. Perry Boyce had her urban luxe and electric home scents of candles and home sprays. Essie Spice sharpened your palette with her four very distinctive gourmet spices that brought back your Caribbean roots and sweeten your soul. Switch your socks with Culture Socks made out of African prints and fabric. Mel’s Butter Blends got shea butter blends that make your hair and skin smelling delightful and moisturized. She even had beard oil, gentlemen! Get your t-shirts, zipped hoodies, jackets with Kultured Misfits. Trade Street Jam’s are very low on sugar bursting with well-blended unique flavors. Boss Blend Coffee created nonstop lines warming and energizing attendees with their delicious blends called Culture Blend & Anytime Blend. ( At the Heal Haus booth, purchase special blended premium teas, get Gua Sha jade roller facials and tarot readings. ACTIVATION ALLEY was an amazing place to get away from the conference, chill, network, and develop new relationships for personal and/or business.
CULTURE GOT SWAG and SNACKS!
Now you can’t leave the premises entirely without advertising to everyone in Dumbo Brooklyn and during your travel back home you got swag with Culture Con tote swag bag packed with giveaways. That would be ashame. Any time of the day you can grab your bags with either sponsored Shea Moisture products or KISS: Bring home the Salon in the Activation Alley or the Duggal Greenhouse. If you didn’t want anything AT LEAST get the tote bag.
As promised, unlimited sponsored snacks and alkaline water were Smash Mallow, Terra vegetable chips, MaraNatha peanut and almond butter, Kind Bars dark chocolate chip & oats, and oats and honey and Essentia water.
CULTURE FOOD!
There were food options that met every type of eater. Vegan – check. Pescartarian – check. Vegetarian – check. Carnivore – check. Now if you are a greedy person, it was not your lucky day because only ONE lunch ticket was given. Had to choose WISELY if you are a flexitarian. Food were Big D’s steak, chicken, veggie tacos, brisket sandwiches and veggie burgers. Harlem Seafood Soul fish & chips with fries and mac & cheese bites. Stuf’d chicken tenders with fries and choice of bbq, honey mustard or buffalo sauce. Makina’s build your meal was for example yellow rice, lentil stew, collard greens and choice of sauces of lemon olive oil, bbq or jalapeño. This list of food makes your mouth water, right?
CREATOR STAGE
The Creator Stage was where you listened to the panelists give advice, tips and strategies how to grow your business. Listen and read a couple of them below.
NEGOTIATING YOUR WORTH: Becoming Your Bravest Self at Work – Laurise McMillian, Nyrie McKenzie, Chris Chambers, TJ Adeshola, Moderator – Paulana Lamonier. CLICK TO READ
PROTECT THE BAG: A Fundamental Starter Kit for Creatives & Founders – Desiree Talley, Shannon Jones, Abu Fofanah, Moderator – Bianca Jeanty
CULTURE STAGE
The CULTURE STAGE was celebrity panel discussions talking about life and work. Read and listen to a few of what was asked and discussed.
NOTHING MOVES WITHOUT US: Building a Business for the Culture – Karleen Roy, Coltrane Curtis, Kameron McCullough, Dia Simms, John Henry, Moderator – Imani Ellis. CLICK TO READ
CREATIVE GENIUS: Sanaa Lathan – Moderator Taylor Rooks. CLICK TO READ.
CREATIVE GENIUS: Regina King – Powered by HBO, Moderator Keke Palmer
STRONG BLACK LEAD – Powered by Netflix
CREATIVE GENIUS: Tracee Ellis Ross – Moderator Elaine Welteroth
ALWAYS ON BEAT: The Business of Music – Justine Skye, Dave East, Sophia Chang, Moderator – Janine Rubenstein. CLICK TO READ
HAPPY HOUR!
From all the networking, walking, standing, talking, rushing from one panel to another, and just plain out working, you definitely need SEVERAL drinks. Martell sponsored mixed drinks – Sorry for this Man (Avion Silver, soda water, lime wedge), The CC (Martell Blue Swift, apple and lemon slices), Imma Head Out (Martell Blue Swift, sugar cane syrup, Jefferson bitters) and soft pretzels with choice of beer cheese or mustard sauce.
Culture Con was jammed back with goodness. Hope to SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!