Working on something meaningful is a common desire – but how? We started asking folks to share the story of how they ended up working on a project they felt was meaningful because we wanted inspiration but also because we wondered if hearing from people from across a range of industries would help us identify patterns making it more likely for anyone to be able to find and work on projects that they would find meaningful.

Jesse London

The 8 Song Acoustic Covers EP on my website www.jessejams.com is by far one of the most meaningful ventures I’ve gone on. In the months leading up to recording, I spend a lot of time buying albums at Spin Records (Carlsbad) and just digging deep into my favorite artists. Some of the stuff on there I’ve wanted to do for a really long time, while others are more recent additions to my live set, that I wanted to record specifically for this album. Read more>>

Michelle Bonton

Founding Harris County Cultural Arts Council and implementing an Artist in Residence program to provide a platform for artists of color and help them increase the value of their work in the marketplace. HCCAC’s mission is to expand arts access for underserved communities and to preserve, share, and celebrate the histories and cultures of Black and LatinX people. Read more>>

Andrew Brodeur

The most meaningful project I’ve had the pleasure to work on so far has been The Mulligan. The Mulligan is about Paul McAllister, a CEO of a major company who seems to have everything in life, but in reality is struggling with his relationship to his family and faith. I play his estranged son Jake McAllister who is not a fan of his Dad because of how he has been absent throughout a lot of his life putting work before family. Read more>>

Stacie McClam

The most meaning project that I’ve worked on has been the current documentary that I am directing and producing. It is a biographical feature documentary about a mom, Kelley Williams-Bolar, who was jailed in 2011 for using her parents’ address to enroll her daughters into the school district where her parents lived. Her parents lived 5 minutes away in the same zip code, but different school district. Read more>>

Kelly Schenk

I am releasing my debut album! This project has been in the works for a very long time. I originally intended to release it in 2020 but the pandemic ended up being a major hurdle financially and logistically. I’ve released a few singles from the album already and I’m very excited to release the rest. The album feels like a coming-of-age in both its lyrical themes and what it represents to me as an independent artist. Read more>>

Brianna Caballero DuVall

The most meaningful project that I have had the opportunity to work on was as a volunteer photographer for a non profit organization called, Operation Love Reunited. It was a non profit that connected volunteer professional photographers to military families facing deployment and they were given a free family session as a way to thank them for their service. Military members and their families facing deployment face a challenge that is unique in its difficulties, as a former military family member, being able to offer my camera in a small way to thank these amazing service members was a blessing. Read more>>

Damian J Sanchez

I finished my master’s of music degree in 2006 in Memphis, Tennessee. I was an aspiring oboist with a passion for mastering not just the double reeds but all woodwind instruments. A passion that led to a short but meaningful career freelancing with such professional musical organizations as the United States Air Force – Bank of the West as a special guest soloist, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra as a reedman for several years touring with that legendary jazz orchestra throughout the world. Read more>>

Jeff Jacob

As a songwriter, by the time I reached my mid-thirties I had realized (at least sub-consciously) that more and more of my writing moving forward, needed to be purpose-driven. This wasn’t a decision, rather it was a pulling…a tugging of the spiritual and creative energies. Looking in the rearview now, I can see the shift and actually follow the path! From 2005 through 2008, having lived in Nashville for several years already trying to “make it” as a commercial songwriter I began working part-time as a “Staff Songwriter” for The Songs of Love Foundation based in NYC. Read more>>

Moseph

That’s a tough one because in the moment, whatever particular project I’m working on becomes the most important. I get a bit of tunnel vision especially when it’s something I think sounds good. My last release was probably my most meaningful because I spent a lot of time making sure it came out sounding professional. The only people working the production are myself and one other engineer, so it’s a slow burn. My next release is going through a similar process right now, and perhaps once it’s out, it will be the most meaningful. We shall see Read more>>

Rachele Royale

I lost my mother to suicide at a very young age. Learning how to survive that loss, and to navigate the journey of the grief and healing, has truly shaped me as an artist. I have multiple songs (Cold World, Circus Life, Dark Side) that depict the story of rising from the ashes, which will always be a constant theme in my artistry. I am currently producing a show/ podcast titled “Haus of Royale” which will bring artists on to talk about their stories and struggles. Read more>>

Brendon and Brian Fraim

One of the comic book series we’re known for drawing is THE THREE STOOGES for the publisher American Mythology Productions. We were hired over five years ago and have been drawing interior pages and covers. We’ve found the series meaningful in that in our small way, we are contributing to their legacy as American comedy icons. Read more>>

Don Faro

Growing up in the rural south of Georgia I always felt like a foreigner in my own country. Not really understanding my Black heritage left voids in my identity, confidence, and vision as a youngster from the hood. As I got older I gravitated towards learning history and how music helped tell that story. After finishing my Masters I had developed to be a polymath. In 2019 I gathered members of record label to curate my life’s masterpiece: EP labeled simply “Black History”. Read more>>

Shrodrick Spikes

One of my most meaningful projects was my 3-day, solo, self – curated art exhibition, Diamonds Are Forever I done back in Fall 2021. The exhibition was created has a new way to celebrate black love from the black male gaze. In addition, I also curated this exhibition to highlight and celebrate my then, fiancées’ 30th birthday and our new engagement. We got married on June 24, 2022, so I’m really excited about that. The title of the exhibition was a direct nod to her real name Diamond, and her obsession with the color white and vintage styles. Read more>>

Kate Hatmaker

Art of Elan has been successfully curating unique chamber music concerts for 15 seasons now, but I’m not sure our Creative Youth Development initiatives are as well known in the community. For 8 years now we’ve had a successful partnership with A Reason to Survive (ARTS), based in National City, where we work with young people aged 14-24 on the creation of original pieces of classical music. Read more>>

Jackie Casiano

The most meaningful projects I’ve worked on are custom orders for special projects. Last holiday season, I was able to make custom candles to raise funds for Project Transformation – North Texas which is a non-profit program that benefits underprivileged kids in the North Texas areas with after school and summer programs. It was an organization that I was a part of as a kid, so it was really nice to be able to give back. Read more>>

Robert Manni

My most meaningful project is my debut novel, THE GUYS’ GUY’S GUIDE TO LOVE. What once was a dream became a reality after over one hundred rejections of my first unpublished novel, and this one. The importance of this book is two-fold, First, it taught me to never give up on a dream I was passionate about and put in the work for. In this case, the editing and rewriting process took far longer than writing the initial drafts. But it was all worth it, as I crafted a story men and women relate to and enjoy. Read more>>

Zaleb Brown

The most meaningful project I worked on is Summer’s the number one independent pop song in Houston this year. The story background of Summer’s is about balancing mental health. It’s about taking care of you and getting away. You have to know when to leave an unhealthy relationship even though it may feel normal to be in a bad circumstance. My song echoes the importance to embrace independence and to take action of your wellbeing. Read more>>

Sam Codington

As part of a doctorate program at San Francisco Theological Seminary, I wrote a series of liturgies for Holy Week and Easter Sunday at Faith Presbyterian Church. I wrote the liturgies under the guidance of Cláudio Carvalhaes, an Associate Professor of Worship at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Carvalhaes is an activist, artist, and theologian. Read more>>

Jessica Apolo

Am really proud of adventuring in the world of writing, I have never done it before, and when COVID strike It was an escape and an oportunity to explore new ways to express myself and present a little bit of the worlds than live in my imagination Read more>>

Geryn Harris

The most meaningful project I worked on has been the Trapper of the Year exhibit that I just did at Trap Music Museum with my close friend, Vonte The Artist for Moneybag’s Yo. It was the first time they were able to put full faith and trust in me as a creative director and artist to complete the project and be creative with the concept and it was a turning point in my life to take control. Read more>>

Justin Griffith Aka Grades Of Absolute Truth

Two projects immediately come to mind, so I’ll dig into both of them… 1) Back in 2016, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Throughout my journey of acceptance, I wrote 60 pages worth of song ideas, thoughts, and entries. I’ve been working toward publishing a book and releasing an album about my experiences. Hoping it helps others get through similar tribulations and shines some light where it’s needed. Read more>>

Nick Cooper

Free Radicals’ most recent project, the two album series, White Power Outage volumes 1 & 2, includes the music and voices of over 70 people around Houston, the US, and around the world. Rappers of color in South Africa, Australia, the Gaza Strip, Venezuela, and here in Houston picked out beats they liked, sent in their tracks and collaborated online on the production of their tracks. Read more>>

Melissa Monroy

Since 2018, the #MoreLoveTee x #IStandForGirls campaign has raised over $1,000 for girls education! It started out as a simple plea. I had turned on the news one evening and everything was ugly and hateful. I turned it off and jumped on my instagram, hoping to find joy…and instead, was confronted with posts of loss, grief and sadness. Everything felt so heavy and I just wanted to scream—PLEASE MORE LOVE MORE LOVE MORE LOVE MORE LOVE MORE LOVE. Read more>>

Caché Castelow

Great question! I believe, the most recent powerful project I’ve worked on was my, “Women Pioneers In Black History” workshop. This workshop was held earlier this year, February 27th to be exact. It was very important for me to have this workshop in February, our very own, Black History Month! This workshop highlighted 6 Black Women In History, some past, and some present that contributed a great deal to move the culture forward in a large capacity in their own respected way. Read more>>

Sarah Jack

Recently I co-produced an experimental dance film: Promise. “Promise is an experimental dance film exploring an individual’s abuse of their opioid prescription following the death of their husband and their eventual attempt to find recovery.” The process leading to this film began in 2018. I was taking 92Y’s Dance Education Laboratory – Summer Dance Program in NYC. We had a week on social justice. I picked a topic that was near to me: the opioid crisis. Read more>>

Brigette Cormier

I am passionate about creating opportunities for myself and others to raise our vibrations and increase our wellbeing. From choreographing dance shows and curating open mic nights, to guiding mindfulness meditations, and everything in between, I’ve spent the past 15 years producing high vibrating experiences. It feels like now is the right time for me to produce my next high vibrating imprint in South Florida: The Love Steady Gathering. Read more>>

Georgina Key

My writing is always personal in some way. I tend to weave in not only experiences from my own life, but also very specific observations or ideas that work for certain characters and places in my work. My debut novel tackles the subject of loss and healing, which was a journey my family had to take when we came close to losing our son at only five years old. It forced me to dig deep but ended up being very cathartic for me, and I hope my readers. Read more>>

Pedro Nieblas

For me, the most meaningful thing ive done up until now is photograph the Festival de Los locos, in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I was going to go 8 or 9 years ago but i met a woman before the trip, so i chose not to go. The relationship ended and i immediately booked my flight. I spent a month in San Miguel just taking it in, meeting people, going to the beautiful cathedral everyday, and photographing everything that caught my eye. Read more>>

Tisha Galloway

The most meaningful project I’ve embarked on in my photography journey has been creating a photography feature account on Instagram. The purpose of a feature account is to showcase artists in a particular genre in an effort to raise more awareness of their work. I had a vision for this feature account and asked two fellow photographers to join me as moderators. We started Authentic Vibrant Joy (@authenticvibrantjoy) in November 2021, and we currently have 2600+ followers. Read more>>

Vigil

Songwriting has been and continues to be the most meaningful and healing project we are continuing to work on. When we started writing music together, we found ourselves in a time of heartache and questioning. So, we began to process those feelings and thoughts through writing. From 2018-present, we’ve written songs about waiting on promises, trusting God when it feels He isn’t present, or reminding ourselves to not fall for someone who shows nothing but red flags. All of it has led us to places of joy, experiencing healing to our hearts/minds and helped us grow closer as friends. Read more>>

Teresa Celeste

In 2020 I created a photo series depicting women’s empowerment, which led to curating women’s circles in my community. This project was a profound healing experience, more so than I originally thought. Women have always been a supportive force in my journey and spoke life into me many times when I desperately needed it, so being given the opportunity to provide other women a safe space to gather was a very rewarding experience. Read more>>

Adriel Faith

Well in all honesty, all of my projects have some kind of meaning and message behind it. Sometimes people seem to misinterpret the words I’m saying. But if I had to choose one project that’s been the most meaningful it would have to be my latest release entitled Lovesick. That project really digs deep into my personal testimony of me having flaws as a Christian. I know there’s still that mindset that people have where they think a Christian should be perfect. And that’s exactly the opposite of what Lovesick is. Read more>>

J’ray

This is a tough one, but I would say my most meaningful project has to be my most recent 4-track EP “UnJ’rayted” which I released in September 2021. I consider “UnJ’rayted” to be my most meaningful project because I was at a point in life where I felt underappreciated, underrated, and often overlooked by a lot of people including myself, I was definitely giving myself little credit especially in situations where I knew I had accomplished something worth celebrating. Read more>>

Reuben Stratum

I think one of the most meaningful projects I worked on was my project Florida Nights. This one was one of the more meaningful projects because I think it really put me in a serious position in the perception of my local peers. Friends from school always heard my music and appreciated it, but the right set of locals heard and hailed the project which opened up doors for me to work with other more influential artists in the area. It helped that I produced every song on the album besides one,(LNP produced by Jordan Amadeus) which not only gave me the confidence to produce future projects but also to back up any claims of my work ethic. Read more>>

Erika Miranda

It’s so hard to choose, but I think I would have to say Mi Casa. It was the first film that my production company, Cafecito Productions made, and it has since taken off in a way that I could only dream about. During the pandemic, when art (and life) seemed to be at a standstill, I found myself daydreaming. I bought a domain name for this production company that didn’t even exist. I think at that point, I had just talked to my cousin about names and logos… Read more>>

Art Angels

We facilitated the launch of the Aku movement, an idea spawned by our artist Micah Johnson. Based around the question, “Mom, can astronauts be black?” posed by his nephew, Micah set out to create a collection, physically and digitally based, that empowers black youth to believe in themselves and their dreams. The result is the inception of Aku, a young black astronaut whose imagination, and subsequently his adventures, are limitless. Aku: “Build Worlds Around Dreams.” Aku is featured on the cover of TIME Magazine for the August 8/15 double issue. Read more>>

Jamey Jamison

Marginalized & undeserved communities are a hot topic in today’s landscape. ACT has been addressing these issues since our founding. In previous year’s we have addressed our work with underprivileged youth, citing the NEA study that highlights the disparaging impact a deficit in ARTS exposure has to the more than 2.5 million children, exposed to 1 or less artistic events a year. Read more>>