Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Camila Vick. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Camila, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.
Building Community Under Capitalism. It’s important to build community first –
Whether you are preparing your organization’s 10th annual arts festival, starting a creative business or beginning to gather like-minded people in pursuit of a just cause, the gaze of capitalism will always be present while building community. In starting a community organization, I understand and hope to continue to labor the love that needs to be poured into building that community. The slow growth and stories that are told as a result of people coming into your space, bringing their friends, and watching those ideas grow together is what creates a strong business, eventually grows capital, and leaves a lasting impact.
Community is something that grows over time and spreads by word of mouth. Capitalism is expected of this world and the structure in which we do business. Identify product – make product – solve problem, to put it simply. As creative entrepreneurs, I feel we forget how important it is to build the community we’re hoping to benefit, and to focus on those who will experience what we create. Our biggest advantage can be to build the community before we make the product and “solve the problem”, which can take time. We know capitalism will always be present, just like we know that it doesn’t wait for anyone, but people do. Capitalism doesn’t sustain people; the community does.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Born and raised on Chicago’s West Side, Camíla is a multifaceted artist whose talents encompass vocals, poetry, performance, and visual art. She began her artistic journey as a vocal student and quickly established herself as a dynamic presence in Chicago’s vibrant jazz and avant-garde scenes. Camíla has performed at renowned venues such as the Jazz Showcase and Andy’s Jazz Club, and has participated in events like the Elastic Arts Improvisational Music Series, The Living Room Series by Audiotree, and performances with the Hyde Park Jazz Festival’s Artist Corps Series. Most recently, she captivated audiences at the Epiphany Center for the Arts during the Indigo Session alongside Aliyah Jones and completed a residency at the Bronzeville Winery. Her artistry seamlessly blends jazz and soul’s intricate textures with rhythms inspired by her Caribbean heritage, aiming to evoke intimacy and nostalgia in both her solo and collaborative works.
Beyond her artistic practice, Camíla is the founder and CEO of The.BlkRoom, a co-creation studio and community organization dedicated to uplifting BIPOC artists and creatives in Chicago. As Outreach Coordinator for the Elastic Arts Outreach Program and Dark Matter Residency Coordinator, she is committed to connecting diverse artists with essential resources and amplifying their voices within the artistic landscape. Her multifaceted efforts not only enrich Chicago’s creative community but also inspire her peers to thrive.
Camíla founded The.BlkRoom in September 2021 as a member-based music studio for her friends and peers, with the goal of providing a safe, accessible, and high-quality space for Black and Brown artists and musicians. After outgrowing the original location, the organization transitioned to a 2,000 sq. ft. loft in Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood, enabling them to expand programming and membership.
Today, The.BlkRoom has built a vibrant community of over 7,000 members, hosting more than 50 showcasing events, 40+ networking activations, 30+ workshops and panel discussions, and over 15 wellness opportunities—all through a donation-based model. The organization provides a nurturing space for more than 50 artists and creative businesses to grow and succeed through our membership program. Earlier this year, we launched the Bloom Residency, dedicated to empowering Black women in 2025. Since its inception, the TBR Team has worked tirelessly to enhance its success, drawing on their experiences as emerging creatives. Their focus is on bridging the gap between opportunity and achievement for Chicago’s artistic community, transforming The.BlkRoom from a nurturing space into a hub of resources and support for BIPOC artists to advance their careers.
Camíla’s diverse talents and her dedication to empowering marginalized artists affirm her influential presence in Chicago’s art scene. Her ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive creative communities underscores her impactful contribution to the city’s cultural landscape. She is excited to continue her work and push the boundaries of creativity within Chicago’s industry.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Beginning the business in 2021, we were growing our audience intentionally and steadily via word of mouth and social media. The.BlkRoom was a 200sqft room and studio where we were able to develop the membership program and structure we implement even today. And it was going really well for a while. After a series of unfortunate events, and a leasing agreement that needed more eyes, we lost our space, and were filled with fear of losing the community. It took so much time to grow.
We had to pivot. For about 8 months of 2023, we had no physical space but found ways to be innovative and lean on the community we were able to build by partnering with other creative organizations and businesses to sustain our mission and keep our audience growing.
We partnered with AFRORACK and Miyagi Records to offer free classes on modular synthesis and vinyl, making these instruments accessible. We continued our mission of supporting Chicago artists by collaborating with Elastic Arts and the Performing Arts Center, hosting live DJ showcases to highlight emerging talent. Additionally, we worked with Black and Brown coffee shops across the south and west sides to foster organic networking among local creatives and artists.
When we were close to giving up and stopping, pivoting and rolling with the situation we were in allowed us to develop more programming, grow our audience, and cement The.BlkRoom within our community as a resource and safe space, no matter the situation.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Learning the art of saying ‘No’ and unlearning the guilt that can come with that is and may continue to be the biggest lesson I’ve learned in my adult life, as a business owner and a person.
To put it simply, not every opportunity is one you should take, and not every situation warrants a resounding ‘yes, of course’. I am continuing to unpack the guilt that can be attached to not working with everyone, and not exploring all ideas. At least right when they are presented. Everything takes time, and everything has its time. If it is meant to be, it will be, and saying “No’ when it doesn’t feel right always feels better when it’s not the time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theblkroom.org/
- Instagram: @the.blkroom
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camila-vick-0b40062a5/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCznqx5XXus_g6mMtY-EcQOw
