We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Moseberry recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I’ve always been the glue—connecting people came naturally to me. Whether it was family and friends, business owners and customers, or artists and opportunities, I had a way of bringing folks together and making things feel intentional. I was also known for throwing a great party—joyful, well-organized, and rooted in community.

But after leaving college, I felt adrift. I didn’t have a clear next step, and I was searching for something that felt like me. In that season, I made two big-girl purchases that symbolized the beginning of my independence: a shared car with my sister and a shared apartment. Then I landed an amazing job. For the first time, I felt like I had created a life for myself—stable, full of potential, and mine.

Almost a year in, I booked a birthday trip to Puerto Rico. I drove to Chicago, boarded the plane, and just before takeoff, I checked my phone. No urgent messages. But then, I saw an email.

It was from my employer. I was being let go.

The pandemic had just become serious, and like so many others, I was laid off unexpectedly. In that moment, I felt a strange combination of fear and relief. Fear because I had just stepped into this new lifestyle—how was I going to afford it now? But also relief, because I knew deep down that if I hadn’t been laid off, I might’ve never followed the dream that had been quietly forming inside me.

I didn’t panic for long. I made a vow to myself right there on that plane: I will use my God-given gifts to make ends meet.

Those gifts—connection, creativity, leadership, vision—had always been in me. I didn’t always recognize them, but others did. I had been using them for years without realizing they could be the foundation of something bigger.

Three name changes, one birthday trip, and a thousand affirmations later—Black on State was born.

This wasn’t just about throwing events. It was about solving a real problem. In Madison and cities like it, there were only small pockets where Black and underserved voices, creativity, and entrepreneurship were truly seen, heard, and celebrated. We deserve more than pockets—we deserve presence.

Black on State reimagines that presence in the most visible, vibrant parts of the city. We’re not here to fit in—we’re here to be felt, everywhere.

I knew this idea would work, not because I had all the answers, but because I’m built with a God-level optimism. If I’ve done it once, I know I can do it again. If I can imagine it, it can be done. Even if I don’t know how, I will figure it out.

I had already hosted successful events. I had already connected people. The question was never if I could do it—it was how I would scale it to reach as many people as possible.

To me, art, creativity, and entrepreneurship are not luxuries—they are pillars of society. They build culture, influence economies, and bring people together. And Black on State exists to amplify that truth for our community.

We are the creative revolution.

Ashley, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

All of our experiences at Black on State are photo-ready and fully immersive—intentionally designed to spark real connections. In today’s social media–driven world, we take the pressure off. We do the work of creating beautiful, engaging environments so that creators, families, and guests can show up authentically and just be—seen, heard, and felt.

Beyond the vibe, we’re deeply focused on building long-term partnerships that create opportunity. Whether it’s offering free art vendor booths, performance slots, or brand visibility, we’re intentional about showing up with our community, not just for them. We collaborate with community organizations, cities, creatives, and brands looking to make real, meaningful connections with Black and underserved creatives.

What sets us apart is our foundation. I’m not just an event planner—I’m a connector and curator. Every experience we produce is creative, immersive, intentional, and untraditional. And we place those experiences in spaces where Black and underserved communities have historically been left out. That’s on purpose. Our work is a declaration: we belong here, we create here, and we thrive here.

What I’m most proud of is the impact. When someone says, “I can’t miss the next one,” “This is so necessary,” or “I met my business partner at your event,”—that’s how I know the work is doing what it was meant to do. These moments reflect not only how so many Black creatives feel today, but how I felt growing up: unseen, unheard, yet full of potential. So I’m proud to produce the kind of experiences I once longed for—while meeting real needs in my community.

A clear callout I want people to take away is this: Creativity is one of the strongest pillars of society. It has been present in every struggle, stitched into every movement, and woven into the foundation of culture itself. We are here to stay, and we’re only getting bigger.

Black on State is the Creative Revolution. If you’d like to be part of this necessary work or collaborate in any way, we’d love to connect.

📧 Email us at [email protected]

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I used to say, “I don’t even know how I’m funding this business.” But after sitting with it, I realized something deeper: those sayings—people support people and do what you love, and the money will find you—are real. That’s exactly how this journey has unfolded for me.

I truly love what I do. I can’t fake my excitement or fascination when someone asks about my business—because it’s genuine. I light up. I’m blessed to say that much of my early funding and growth came from that energy alone: nurturing the relationships I already had and receiving generous support and sponsorships from brands and businesses that align with my mission.

One of the most common things I hear on calls is, “I just love your energy and excitement about your business.” People can feel that I care deeply about my craft—and it resonates. I can talk for days about the work, but more importantly, I can paint a picture of what it looks like and why it matters. That passion helps people see the vision as clearly as I do.

If I had to give advice, I’d say: don’t be afraid to be dreamy about your dream. Make people feel like they’re watching a movie when you talk about it. Be clear, bold, and personal. And most of all, share it. After every “no,” go ask ten more times.

That’s how I’ve funded this business—with faith, joy, alignment, and the willingness to show up, speak up, and keep going.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the hardest but most important lessons I had to unlearn is this: you can’t bring everyone with you, and your dream is yours for a reason.

When I first started out, I believed that my community, friends, mentors—basically everyone I knew—should support me. Part of that came from how much I’d always shown up for others, and part of it was the belief that if people cared about me, they’d automatically care about what I was building. I also assumed that because I could see so much potential in people, I could create opportunities for them through my business. The visionary in me wanted everyone to win. The optimist in me believed they’d be just as hyped and committed as I was.

But I was wrong.

I actually launched my business alone, but before hosting my first event, I brought in a close friend to help. We were excited at first, but over time, it became clear we weren’t aligned. We didn’t share the same vision, values, or communication style, and I started to feel like my dream was slowly morphing into something I didn’t recognize—or even want.

Eventually, I made the hard choice to step away from that partnership. It wasn’t just a business decision—it ended our friendship entirely. That part hurt the most. I worried about what people would think of me and my business. I worried how she would tell her side of the story, how people might believe her, and how I’d be perceived. All of those fears became reality. For a while, it felt like I was losing everything I’d tried to build.

But not for long.

Because deep down, I knew I had made the right decision. I knew that continuing down the wrong path would cost me even more in the long run. And with time, clarity, and staying true to my values, things began to align again.

Over the years, I’ve had to make that same call a few more times. Each time, I’ve learned that clarity and alignment are non-negotiable. Today, I’m intentional about setting expectations up front, being clear about the mission, and making sure that anyone I work with shares the same level of commitment.

This dream was given to me, and it’s my responsibility to protect it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blackonstate.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackonstate
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-moseberry-46307923a/

Image Credits

Talia Nchang , Sharon Vanorny, Destination Madison