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A message from CMDC

What a year to be host...

CreativeMornings has shaped and changed my life in so many wonderful ways. I have made life long friends, traveled the world and found my community. In 2013 I was an aspiring writer and filmmaker seeking to find my community. Seeking to find other creatives and creative minds trying to navigate life in our unique way. I am still so grateful that a search on Tumblr led me to CreativeMornings DC. Try as one might to get the highly coveted ticket, I added my name to the waitlist. That waitlist resulted in me volunteering for the 1st CMDC birthday party and the rest as they say is history. Since 2013, I’ve been to every event but two. Became part of the event planning team in 2016 and last year I took over as host. Not an easy job to fill after Joel’s amazing eight years at the job.  

While it has been my greatest pleasure to be the host of CMDC, December will be my final event. It has been a real thrill to be the host my last year as a CMDCer.   I’ve learned so much about this community and myself.  I feel so much good is being done but there is still more to do -- good that a new host can bring to the chapter and the city. I feel now is a good time for me to find new ways to use my voice, my time, talent and effort to make this community and this world a better place.  I want to say a big thank you to my team and to you all for the years of love, the smiles and the support. I am Looking forward to this next chapter for us all. And I’ll be around if you need me. I truly wish the new host well. Most importantly, I am always sending light and love to all my CreativeMornings and CMDC family.

  Sincerely, Raquel LM We’re looking for a new host in Washington DC!

In 2008, Tina Roth Eisenberg, also known as Swissmiss, started CreativeMornings out of a desire for an ongoing, accessible event for New York’s creative community. The concept was simple: breakfast and a short talk one Friday morning a month. Every event would be free of charge and open to anyone.

Today, attendees gather in over 200 cities around the world to enjoy fresh coffee, friendly people, and an international array of breakfast foods. Volunteer hosts and their volunteer team members organize local chapters that not only celebrate their city’s creative talent, but also promote an open space to connect with like-minded individuals. We call ourselves an engine of generosity and live by our manifesto.

Since CreativeMornings/DC was founded, the chapter has built a beautiful community. However, our previous host recently stepped down, so we are now looking for a replacement. Could this be you?

Does this describe you?

• You’re passionate about the local creative community in Washington, DC.

• You’re enthusiastic about leading a small volunteer team to put your own spin on CreativeMornings.

• You’re excited to participate in the global conversation among our 207 chapters (and growing!).

• You use the words “humble,” “driven,” “resourceful,” “generous,” and “connected” to describe yourself.

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

If interested, please complete our New Chapter Application and we’ll be in touch. There will be follow-up interviews for the top candidates.

We look forward to receiving your application!

— CreativeMornings HQ

P.S. Insight into what it’s like to be a host. And more insight. Okay, last one.

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Meet our Speaker: Dior Ashley Brown

Dior is a woman on a mission. Known for her broad range of creative roles, including community builder, humanitarian, activist, entrepreneur, and musician, she is a seasoned, respected member of the DC creative scene and beyond, committed to empowering all people, especially Black women and girls, and leaving a legacy of positive change. Click here read more.

Registration for #CMRipple with Dior starts on Monday March 22 at 10:30AM.

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March’s Theme is Ripple “This month, we invite you to pay attention to your personal ripple effect. To examine how your impact expands beyond your inner circle and find ways to pay positivity forward. If you’re feeling brave, this month can be a time to explore the depths of your world. Dare to plunge below the surface and invite deeper connection in.”

Join CreativeMornings/DC for #CMRipple on Friday March 26! Registration will open on Monday March 22 at 10:30AM.

Our Tel Aviv chapter chose this month’s exploration of Ripple and Masha Manapov illustrated it.

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Meet our February speaker: NAPPYNAPPA

Born and raised in Southeast, Washington, DC, NAPPYNAPPA is a M.C./prolific repository of “soul-liberating rap music.” His innate ability to regard life objectively has inspired critically acclaimed projects such as his 2017 New Balance EP, which was featured in The Washington Post and FADER, as well as +HEARTMATH+, AUTONOMOUS, & IFEELJUSTLYKTHEIRART released in 2018, 2019, and 2020 respectively. NAPPYNAPPA’s expressive, inspired, and distinctly hip-hop soundscape—crafted alongside longtime producer, Black Moses—has launched him onto the stage of almost every major music venue in DC. In 2017, he performed for Adult Swim’s Bloodfeast and, this past fall, he appeared on Boiler Room TV in support of frequent collaborator, Sir E. U. Over the past three years, NAPPYNAPPA has toured with DC/MD-based band, G.U.M.P., and Model Home, an electronic and vocal duo comprised of himself and Pat Cain experimenting in “liberated sound and lifestyle.”

Register for #CMDivergent with NAPPYNAPPA starting 2/22 at 10:30AM

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February’s Theme is Divergent “Moments of divergence can create beautiful futures.” Our Valencia chapter chose this month’s exploration of Divergent and Núria Tamarit illustrated it. It is presented Globally by Basecamp and HEY

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Meet our Speaker, Wake Up Call Performer, and a Special #CMPromise Theme Introduction

This month, we excited to bring three creatives to our event! 

Our Speaker

Cirilo Manego is a partner and Chief Innovation Officer at Black with No Chaser. Known in the digital communications industry as a noteworthy visionary and an advocate for access to affordable healthcare access for millions of Americans, Cirilo works behind the scenes on issues such as gun violence prevention, criminal justice transformation, and ending cash bail while centering joy as a form of resistance to racism and oppression.

Wake Up Call Performer

Presented by our culture partners at Little Salon DC, Dominic Anthony Green is a multi-disciplinary artist and storyteller from Maryland currently focused on film, photography, and playwriting.

Special Theme Introduction

This month’s theme will be introduced Barrett Holmes Pitner, the Founder and Philosopher-in-Chief of The Sustainable Culture Lab, a cultural think tank based in Washington, D.C.

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January’s Theme is Promise

A promise is doing something “because I said I would.” Promises can come in all shades, depths, and forms: appointments, acts of kindness, creating and quitting habits, agreements, and resolutions. Thanks to life’s unpredictability, we make and break them all the time. But what is the value and impact of being individuals of our word? In the Albanian culture, the word “Besa” means a code of honor and faithfulness. It exceeds the meaning of merely keeping a promise, thus becoming mythologized in its divinity as a solemn oath. Promises that are made and kept are exchanges of power We invite you to make and keep one promise to yourself and one promise to others this year. When applied towards positive impact, even the smallest fulfilled promises can create meaningful ripples of change. Our Tirana chapter chose this month’s exploration of Promise and the talented Jolin Matraku illustrated the theme.

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August’s Theme is Stress

“In the space between the stimulus and response, take some of the spotlight away from stress.”

Our next event will be held on Friday August 28th with Jinahie.

Our Warsaw chapter chose this month’s exploration of Stress and Shanee Benjamin illustrated the theme.

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June’s Theme is Insecure

Register for #CMInsecure with Kyle Dargan starting Monday, June 22nd at 10:30AM.

Insecurity shrinks our optimism, beliefs around potential, and blinds us to how things really are or how they could be. We project our greatest fears when we succumb to the negative ways we are conditioned to react. How can we start to overcome insecurity and strengthen ourselves? According to author Leo Babauta, we can begin with a small dose of courage: “A bit of courage. Just in small doses, to start with, but it means a willingness to set aside all the distractions for a little bit, and just focus on what you’re struggling with.” By observing and seeing, we can catch the early moments we allow our insecurities in. Pay attention to when you are being driven by insecurity and notice what exactly makes you contract. The secret is that the path out can be found in the patterns we have repeated thousands of times. Ignite a small dose of your courage and fiercely protect its flame. Commit to breaking one limiting belief at a time. With good work and focus, you’ll soon be able to spread your wings and fly higher. Our Louisville chapter chose this month’s exploration of Insecure, Rachael Sinclair illustrated the theme, and it’s presented globally by WordPress.com.

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Meet the Speaker: Clare Fieseler

Clare Fieseler started her creative career working for National Geographic in wildlife filmmaking but eventually returned graduate school to research study coral reefs and marine ecology. She spent countless hours underwater collecting data, logging time on boats, and traveling throughout the Caribbean and Pacific. During field expeditions she began applying her skills from filmmaking and started shooting still images for various digital publications. 

In 2016, Clare began working professionally as an independent photographer while maintaining a career in academia. Clare is currently an assistant teaching professor at Georgetown University, but continues to enjoy a part-time career in photojournalism covering gender, science and the environment. She was IWMF Reporting Fellow in 2018 and a AAAS Fellow reporting for The Washington Post in 2019. 

During the coronavirus pandemic, she has been turning the lens on herself and documenting her own experience parenting and trying to connect with nature under lock-down. Her images are represented by the National Geographic Image Collection.

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May’s Theme is Nature. “What can nature teach us about living with strength, vulnerability, and grace during these challenging times?” Our Salt Lake City chapter chose this month’s exploration of Nature, David Habben illustrated the theme, and it’s presented globally by WordPress.com.

Join CreativeMornings/DC for our second virtual event on Friday, May 19th at 8:30AM! Register or sign up for the waitlist now.

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It’s Our Birthday!

Seven years ago this month, #CMDC began with 80 people at our inaugural event. Today, our community is over 10K strong. If you've been to one of our events — as an attendee, volunteer, speaker or partner — we are so grateful. To celebrate our birthday this month, we decided to give back to the community we love so much, particularly as many of our partners and DC creatives may be struggling during these unprecedented times. Follow and join the celebration this week on Twitter and Instagram.

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Community Update

To our community — Given the current global health situation, we have decided to cancel our March event. Our first and foremost responsibility is to keep our community safe and follow expert advice like this.

This is hugely disappointing for us, as it would be our annual evening event to celebrate our 7th anniversary. But the health and well-being of the people within our CreativeMornings/DC community is so much more important. We hope you will continue to join us via social media, email, and other virtual channels. 

We have seven years of CreativeMornings/DC to celebrate, especially the supporters, volunteers, partners and speaker who make it great. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

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Meet Our February Speaker: Rion Amilcar Scott

Rion Amilcar Scott is the author of the story collection, The World Doesn’t Require You (Norton/Liveright, August 2019). His debut story collection, Insurrections (University Press of Kentucky, 2016), was awarded the 2017 PEN/Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction and the 2017 Hillsdale Award from the Fellowship of Southern Writers. His work has been published in journals such as The New Yorker, The Kenyon Review, and Crab Orchard Review among others.

Join us on Friday, February 28 at 8:30AM for #CMInvest with Rion! 

Registration will open on Monday, February 24 at 10:30AM.

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February’s Theme is Invest

“Convert your doubts into positive currency and bet on yourself.” Our Hong Kong chapter chose this month’s exploration of Invest and Bao Ho illustrated the theme.

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Malaka Gharib is an artist and a journalist based in Washington, D.C. She is the author of “I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir,” about being first-generation Filipino Egyptian American. She is a writer and editor on NPR’s science desk, reporting on global health and development topics such as humanitarian aid and gender and income inequality.

Learn more about Malaka and register for #CMRoots now!

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January’s Theme is Roots.

“Courageous, creative work begins below the ground.” Our Québec chapter chose this month’s exploration of Roots and Félix Girard illustrated the theme.

More details about our January event are coming soon. Stay in the know by signing up for our newsletter now!