Today we’d like to introduce you to Cre The Creative.
Hi Cre The Creative, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Music has always been a part of me. Dance has been my sanctuary. Creating is who I am. I was always a call-around self-starter, starting from my roots in Ridgeway, South Carolina, within “The Church.” Thanks to my mother, one of the youth directors, she played a pivotal role with the youth at White Oak Baptist Church #1. I was often called to read scriptures and church announcements and to be an usher. I was also one of the lead singers of our youth choir. I was also involved in church plays.
I have memories of participating in an ArtWorks program, where we spent our summers preparing for a significant production, and I was a singer. I remember having a solo from the works of “Annie.” During my middle school years, I played clarinet for Fairfield Middle School’s marching band. I also played piano with one hand by ear. I wrote poetry in middle school and was always writing silly songs about food. Other than those structured activities, I spent a lot of time consuming music, writing poetry and music, and learning dance moves from Destiny’s Child, 3LW, Aaliyah, and Ciara, or most artists in the early 2000s. I choreographed in my senior high school dance class. I was always dancing with my sister and cousins. We were the first to the floor to break the ice whenever there was a school dance.
During my college years at Lander University, I was Vice President of Minorities on the Move(M.O.M.S.), where we led a dance team and chorus. I was co-captain and one of the lead choreographers of our Dance Team, which we called “DePhine” and “LU’s Finest.” I loved dance so much that I danced while pregnant until it was too painful. I graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with an emphasis on counseling. I gave birth to 2 children as an undergrad and one in grad school across 4 years from 2009-2012, so I was forced to put aside my creative aspirations. I remained a writer, dancer, and songwriter during that time.
Around 2015, I started experimenting with modeling and had the opportunity to walk in a few runway shows. I also had photoshoots often. In 2017, I started going to live music and poetry events, and I was so inspired by the talent I witnessed. After my return to the pen, I started getting on stages at open mics to perform my raps a capella and with music. My music was mostly for me, so I never took it that seriously.
By 2018, I started my brand, formerly known as CreSpeaksMedia, where I blogged about and showcased local talent at events. I acted like the artist’s biggest cheerleader and excited the public to show them where to go to have these experiences with the community’s hidden gems. I branched off into curating my events starting in 2019 with “We Can All Eat,” a Women in Hip Hop concert to showcase and respect the diversity of Women in Hip Hop. This event was the takeoff for my brand. After that, I collaborated with several entrepreneurs and creatives and became a go-to referral source for local talent and events. Since then, I’ve built many relationships with artists and helped them with marketing, branding, networking, landing gigs, etc.
The brand has been less active in regards to showcasing talent regularly on social media, but what it is now is my continued involvement with events, whether it be planning, curating, marketing/promotions, working as staff, or managing logistics for many of my peers throughout The Cool Table, a subsidiary of Black Nerd Mafia, The Vibration, or my efforts. I most recently served as a Project manager at One Columbia, a non-profit arts organization dedicated to bringing art and culture to the city, where I oversaw artist development programs.
The contract has ended, and I am seeking new employment and paid creative projects to partake in while trying to solidify my community efforts into a solidified business. So much of my work thus far has been a labor of love and grassroots initiative. I am now realizing that as a Mother of 3 and woman living with dynamic disabilities, I can not just work anywhere while being an active member of my communities. I have to make a living for art for my mental, physical, and spiritual health as I work toward my master’s degree in IT Management. I am restructuring the business to give birth to a creative agency with an umbrella of services encompassing artist development, talent management, business operations, event management, marketing and promotions, and media. Finally, I am also putting my music out there more under the stage name “Cr3Wizdom,” I am happy to say that I finally added 2 songs to all streaming platforms!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
The road has not been smooth but has improved with time and healing. Some struggles I have had along the way have been living with multiple chronic illnesses that qualify as dynamic disabilities with very little support; I suffered major injuries to my spine as an adverse effect of getting an epidural during the birth of my sons. I have not been able to drive because of the complications, and it isn’t easy to survive in South Carolina without a vehicle. It has been almost 15 years of chronic pain now, and the whole journey has been soul-shaking. The experiences I have had navigating the healthcare system in South Carolina have been very traumatizing and disappointing. Being a Black woman and disabled with invisible illnesses is another traumatizing experience, significantly as I raise 3 sons. 1 who is confirmed to be on the Autism spectrum, and the other 2 are questionable as they present different. Many people do not realize the time and energy devoted to functioning at a rate where you can have some quality of life. Some days, I am up; some days, I am very down. My life requires much thinking and planning to accommodate myself because others aren’t educated or empathetic enough to truly support me. Black Motherhood is also another experience in itself that is so demanding that, at times, we neglect our own mental and physical health to help our children because sometimes there is no choice when you don’t have a village. The world does not accommodate us and applies many pressures beyond our control. Some stigmas and stereotypes hurt our efforts and silence our cries for help and understanding. Many things are struggles, like getting out of your way, working through imposter syndrome, and people-pleasing, amongst other traumas. Still, these experiences are so demanding that it takes years to truly heal and address those things you need to face about yourself because you rarely have the time to stop and breathe truly. Shortly, I hope to produce documentaries about these experiences to educate the world, hoping we can hold space and truly support people within these subgroups.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What do you do is always a loaded question for me because there are so many things I need to keep track of. I am an Urban Renaissance woman with a knack for building community and helping artists and creatives see their value. As an Artist consultant, I draw connections and opportunities that align with the artist’s highest good. I am a sounding board for many creative projects. I specialize in planning, executing, curating, and supporting dope events, highlighting and showcasing artists. I also specialize in marketing, promotions, project management, creative direction, and relationship building. I have been referred to as “The Nucleus,” “Big Mama,” and “The Glue” in the music and arts scene throughout South Carolina, especially in Columbia, SC. I am most proud of how many lives I have impacted by being a trusted figure in the community. The Music and Arts Scene can get cutthroat, and to earn the trust of many who rely on me to be the artist’s voice or to refer opportunities for artists is fantastic. I have referred artists to The South Carolina State Fair. Once, it was for House of Harley Radio and others on a Pepsi stage in connection with IHeart Radio. What sets me apart is that I do everything from my heart and spirit, and I am a versatile creative. I have left much money on the table by sticking to my guns of integrity and empathy. I have experience in music, dance, modeling, and other avenues.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I want to become a DJ and an actress.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/crespeaksmedia
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vibingwithcre/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacretiab/
Image Credits
Nora Williams
