INSIGHTS FROM EMERGING CREATORS FOR EMERGING CREATORS

*All photography by Brandon Towns* *@b.towns*
*Social media graphics by Tia Thomas* *@tianellmedia*
*Blog post by Lacee Cottman* *@layseemerollin*

Where can creative dreamers unify and be inspired by their favorite trailblazers? The HOORAE Takeover at the Kennedy Center by Issa Rae’s HOORAE Events and RAEDIO did just that. It was the perfect opportunity for upcoming artists to reflect on their journeys, find their community, and learn how to collaborate with their fellow creatives.

Patreon, the membership platform that financially supports artists and creators, is the home of Issa Rae’s very own Patreon page. Issa Rae is popularly known for her acting, writing and producing skills. She first hit the scene with her hit Youtube show “Awkward Black Girl'' as well as the HBO comedy series “Insecure” and now she is forming her own media company. Rae designed a way to use her growing platform to empower other artists for underrepresented populations. HOORAE events and RAEDIO are two examples of Issa’s persistence at work. Using Patreon as a membership program, she funds local HOORAE events as well as awesome content on her RAEDIO platform. The best part of it all is that everything featured on Issa Rae’s platform is immersed in authentic black representation.

Patreon invited Wide Angle Youth Media apprentices and interns to attend the lively weekend experience. Our team was thrilled to join the celebration Sunday night and it was clear that the entire weekend was filled with such treasurable energy because we didn’t want it to end! In attendance were myself (Lacee Cottman, Social Media Intern); Keiona Gorham, Wide Angle Deputy Director; Brandon Towns, Assistant Producer; and Tia Thomas, Design Intern and actress. Heading to the event we did not know what to expect to come from this experience. However, by the end of the night we were astonished by the amazing time we had.

On the way, we discussed some of our limitations when interacting with culturally diverse crowds. We frequently unintentionally filter ourselves for our own solace because we know that many people outside of the black community do not understand our culture, and we fear mockery for being our true selves. Much to our surprise, the live podcast put our talk into perspective.

“The Read'' segment hosted by Kid Fury and Crissle

Tia and Lacee holding a sign for “The Read”

“The Read'' segment hosted by comedians Kid Fury and Crissle was comic gold. This one-night-only production was developed in partnership with Issa Rae's audio everywhere company RAEDIO to promote their upcoming original comedy album. Completely unfiltered, this show proved the saying, “what is understood doesn’t need to be explained” to be true. The duo jumped right into a discussion of America's most infamous headlines, frivolously discussing the mixed reactions from the black community, which, as expected, differed from others across the nation.

“As a black creative, being able to see people who look like me thrive in their community without adhering to what white people will think of what we're doing or saying was everything. Specifically during "The Read" segment. They brought up topics that typically wouldn't have been brought up in an average white crowd. And if these topics were brought up it would not have gotten the same reactions. For example the OJ Simpson case. Everyone knew that man was guilty but every black person was rooting for him anyway purely based on the fact that the system is not built to have a black man get off free.”- Tia

Collectively we agreed that everything said during that show was a conversation that most resonates with black people. The vernacular used, accompanied with the unapologetically loud laughter, was an encounter specially designed by black people so that it could be truly appreciated by black audiences. The entire show felt as though we were at another family gathering listening to the adults talk.

Following that dynamic performance, we were treated to even more examples of black brilliance in "A Sip with Issa." In this ongoing series, Issa Rae moderates candid and unscripted conversations over drinks with prominent creatives about their extraordinary journeys. We were honored by the presence of Keke "Keep a Bag" Palmer as the guest speaker. Keke Palmer, an actress, singer, and television personality, has spent the majority of her life in the spotlight. She has seen it all and then some in the industry since she began as a child actor During the chat Keke Palmer offered such intuitive insight on how she learned to navigate a competitive line of work. All the while being her hilarious self, Keke spoke nothing but facts as she discussed her growth from a child actress to her current success.

“Both Issa Rae and Keke Palmer are revolutionary women who inspire me everyday. Keke Palmer practically raised me with each role of hers. Following her and Issa Rae's work has taught me so much and given me motivation to continue following my passions.”- Lacee

We left the event feeling invigorated, as if the inspirational words had charged us up and prepared us to take on the world. When Keke Palmer shared her story, she brought so much life into the room. She encouraged creators to stay focused, practice their craft, and make use of their resources as they strive to make their mark on the world. In the arts, we are frequently distracted by what others do or don’t do. Take some of Keke Palmer's advice, emerging creators! Every artist and creator has a chance to succeed, and finding people who can support your passions will reveal a prosperous future, no matter where your endeavors take you. With patience and dedication, all that is meant for you will soon come to fruition.

More reflections from Wide Angle youth:

What does it mean to you as a young Black creative to attend an event with a prominent Black creator?

“This was definitely one of the coolest events that I have been to! I loved the environment that was created. It was honestly very inspiring. Issa Rae is the definition of doing it all. As a black creative it is empowering seeing stories outside of the 'oppression perspective’ (where Black people are only shown as oppressed and enslaved) being pushed AND thriving at that. Based on the work Issa Rae is doing I see leaving this narrative is not impossible.” - Tia
“For me it's both inspiring and uplifting. It's always great to be around fellow creatives but there is an added layer of atmosphere when you can see and feel that they are like you. Representation is truly meaningful to me. That paired with the familiarity that we share in the black experience was the ingredients for a special moment in time for me.” - Brandon
“As a young creative it was beautiful to be in a room full of ambitious black individuals. When I learned that we were invited to Issa Rae's event I was ecstatic. Issa Rae is a strong willed woman that has taught me that when you aren't offered a seat at the table you desire, there is bravery in choosing to build your own.”- Lacee

What inspires you about Issa Rae? What inspires you about Keke Palmer?

“The real question is, what doesn't inspire me about Issa Rae? Outside of the fact she is a woman of many talents that all push towards positive messages. During 'The Sip' we primarily focused on Keke's life in the industry yet I was very drawn to Issa as well. Either it be her hilarious one liners or even the slight insight she mentioned of her own life. She is so captivating and intelligent. ”- Tia
“I'm truly inspired by Issa Rae's come up on her path to prominence. Her sense of community building and knack for uplifting those around her is admirable. To add to that I think that her constant pursuit towards an even greater resume is moving. The same goes for Keke Palmer. Her ability to have a career that has stretched decades is nothing less than amazing. More importantly, her taking so much care of herself, being compassionate and understanding, is so dope to me.” - Brandon

What is one thing that you feel you learned or noticed about yourself while you were on the trip?

“This trip led me to learn more about my co-workers who I found are hilarious. I was able to reflect on my own personal journey as an artist after hearing Keke's and lastly was left with the inspiration to create! One of the biggest lessons I took from this event is that consistency and hard work equals success! That was something I noticed about all the artists. They were consistent with their hard work and now they're inspirations to so many others.”- Tia
“I feel like this trip kind of gave me the reassurance that I am on the right path. It provided me with a bit more confidence that I'm getting better with the things I need to do to be who I want to be.” - Brandon
“One thing Keke Palmer talked about that resonated with me is choosing what's right for you. In this era of social media where everyone shares all their successes, it's easy to find yourself in a cycle of comparison where you believe that you're behind or not doing enough. I noticed that I've been in a rut about where I wish I currently was and what I wish was doing. After listening to this conversation I learned to focus on me and what is for me will come in due time. Until then I have to keep showing up as my best self and constantly work to improve my assets.” - Lacee

How was your experience different from what you expected?

“I thought this event would be more formal. To walk into a space filled with beautiful people dressed very fancy and then hearing ‘good evening, niggas’ as the program started was shocking. For so long I thought the n word was condemned in professional spaces but then I thought, why? It is a word my people have reclaimed and I loved being in a space where I could use it freely without any internalized guilt.”- Tia
“When I was first invited to attend, I did not expect to feel such comfort in a space that I've never been in. As we took our seats and I looked around the concert hall, I noticed that I was in a room of black people. Being surrounded by people who look like me who were all here to have a good time as they gain knowledge by two of the most influential women in the industry was empowering. It didn't feel like a room full of strangers but instead a reunion as there was a sense of unity that eliminated any unfamiliarity.” - Lacee

What surprised you and why?

“I was surprised at how lax the event was because I felt comfortable being my true self.” - Brandon
“Listening to the hilarious live podcast by Kid Fury and Crissle was the perfect segue into our exciting evening. They engaged the audience in their trip down memory lane of some of the most infamous headlines within black culture. Their banter was not only so funny and relatable but also relieving. The culture that the black community exudes is one in which what is understood doesn't need to be explained. It was freeing to be in a space where my black mindset is accurately reflected and appreciated.”- Lacee

What do you want to learn more about and why?

“I would love to learn more about what other in-person events Patreon will be partnering with because this event was all around AMAZING! The people, atmosphere, energy, artists, everything was a 10/10.”-Tia

Is there anything else that you'd like to share?

“I would love to cross paths with Issa and Keke, whether it be working or simply to chat, I would love to connect with them. Also I'm just really happy with this experience and I'm thankful that Patreon extended the offer to us.”- Brandon
“I would like to give a huge thank you to our Patreon team member, Diona DaCosta, who went out of her way to make sure we enjoyed our experience. Thank you to Kid Fury and Crissle for the tearful laughs, and finally thank you so much to Keke Palmer for her insightful words and to Issa Rae for creating this space for black excellence.”-Lacee

Photography by Brandon Towns

MEET THE AUTHOR

Lacee is a student at the University of Baltimore pursuing her bachelor's degree in Psychology. Lacee began as an intern with Wide Angle through Urban Alliance. She found great interest in media-making after working on various projects from design to photography to video. She has developed life plans, workforce readiness skills, and design projects for clients such as Baltimore Mediation Center and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her content writing and creation skills have developed tremendously. She’s developed multiple informative posts for Wide Angle’s social media platforms, highlighting Black August, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, National Coming Out Day, and more.

Wide Angle Youth MediaAugust 16, 2022