Ready for the Next Leap

Poised to Take Rebel Bred Higher

Nathan Brooks, designer behind Rebel Bred Clothing, was one of the ten creative businesses selected to participate in the inaugural Next Leap Program provided by the Creative Business Accelerator and Ascender in November 2020. While Nathan made meaningful progress since starting Rebel Bred in 2016, Next Leap enabled him to think big for the future. For 2021 and beyond, Nathan will expand his apparel offering and e-commerce infrastructure to pivot from in-person to online sales, and connect to local and national consumers focused on social justice, locally and nationally.

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A Brand to Bank On

Data Drives The Woven Kente

Over the last several years, Baiyinah Brookins operated the creative business Frank & Myrhh. With a dynamic e-commerce website and an exciting array of products, she was experiencing significant growth. Unfortunately, she realized through website analytics that her brand was holding her back. Frank & Myrhh was posing difficult SEO challenges that could not be mitigated. To respond to the challenge and be better positioned for the future, Baiyinah rebranded to The Woven Kente which allows her to reach more conscientious consumers.

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Creative Process Celebrated

Carnegie Museum of Art Interviews Atiya Jones

ORGINS participant Atiya Jones, artist and designer behind TWELVE/TWENTY, is one of the talented makers feature in the Locally Sourced exhibition at the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh. As a part of this important exhibition, she was interviewed, along with fellow creative Tereneh Idia, by Njaimeh Njie. The insightful and inspirational interview explored her creative process and motivations for self expression. The visibility and voice of Black creatives like Atiya in the regional and national maker ecosystem will be explored in an upcoming Design in Conversation: Where are the Black Makers, Artists, and Designers?

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