Imani Ellis is the Founder and CEO of CultureCon and The Creative Collective, a community dedicated to facilitating brave spaces for Black and Brown creative professionals. Born in Imani’s one-bedroom apartment as a means to foster meaningful connection, TheCCnyc is now the leading destination for diverse creativity and connection, providing thousands of Black and Brown creatives with the community and resources they need to thrive in their professional careers.
The CCnyc’s marquee event is CultureCon, the largest conference celebrating Black and Brown creatives and their undeniable impact on culture. CultureCon is a first-of-its-kind ideas conference that caters to all aspects of creative and professional life.
The festival-styled conference is jam-packed with masterclasses and workshops featuring a myriad of topics including entrepreneurship, marketing, mindfulness, leadership and professional growth. The CultureCon campus includes Activation Alley where guests can shop the Black-Owned Business market or get their headshot taken for their portfolio. Past speakers include Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, Spike Lee, Regina King, John Legend, Lena Waithe, and more.
In addition to monthly community events, The Creative Collective provides countless resources and workshops for its community throughout the year, including Career Transparency insights and career opportunities across companies. In the height of the pandemic, The Creative Collective launched CultureCon At Home, a virtual campus that reached over 22,000 creatives in over 131 countries around the world, and Creative Curriculum, a series of digital masterclasses (instructors included Kerry Washington and Janelle Monáe to name a few) touching on everything from entrepreneurship to navigating the corporate world.
Named a “2024 Closer of the Wealth Gap” by Time Magazine, a “Breakthrough Creative” by Ebony, and a “Diversity Champion” by Adweek, Imani has been recognized by Forbes as a “Visionary” and “One To Watch” by Black Enterprise. Imani graduated from Vanderbilt University with a major in communications and a double minor in German and Film.
Join Imani Ellis on Tuesday afternoon for an insightful fireside chat on the art of building and sustaining vibrant, engaged communities. In this session, Imani will share her expertise on the importance of fostering genuine connections, cultivating inclusive spaces, and adapting to the evolving needs of community members. Drawing from her vast experience in community-building and leadership, she will discuss the key principles of creating a strong foundation, the challenges of maintaining momentum, and the innovative strategies that help keep communities thriving. Whether you’re a founder, a leader, or someone passionate about bringing people together, this conversation will provide actionable insights and inspiring ideas to nurture and grow meaningful communities in today’s fast-paced world.
Moderated by Kelly Ricker, Chief Operating Officer of GTIA and Board Elect for PCMA, this discussion will also offer a dynamic perspective on leadership, strategy, and the future of community development.
Brought to you by Destination Vancouver and Vancouver Convention Centre