Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Travis Barnes-Roberson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Travis, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

In high school, I was part of a group project for an English class that required us to organize an event for a non-profit organization. We chose the Make-a-Wish Foundation and brainstormed various ideas until we finally settled on a talent show. Our talent show was unique because we combined all five smaller schools in our high school (Olympic High School in Charlotte, NC), which had never been done before. I was in the business and communications concentration/school at the time. I was fascinated by the logistics and marketing aspects of the event. It was amazing to see something new and exciting being offered to the entire school while showcasing the talents of fellow students. To our surprise, the show was a significant success, with every ticket sold out and a waiting line of students trying to get in. At that moment, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in event curation with an emphasis on innovation, even though I didn’t know what a curator was there. The experience of organizing the talent show made me realize that I was passionate about creating and executing events that brought people together and made them happy.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

It all started during my high school days. I had a natural love for bringing people together for events that could help someone or something out in some capacity. I realized that I enjoyed doing this and decided to pursue it as a career.

Fast forward to my college days at Claflin University, an HBCU (historically black college/university) where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. During my time there, I served at Mister Claflin University, where I created innovative events and experiences for students. But even before that title, I was already creating small pop-up shops for my clothing brand, 3>2.96.

After graduating from college, I could focus more on my curator spirit with my now-husband, Antonio. Together, we created The Mimosa Way, where our mission is to stay committed to hosting innovative and network-centered events that support local communities with pride, honesty, and authenticity. Our vision is to empower individuals to give back to the community through innovative events that promote philanthropy.

Since then, we have conducted diverse events ranging from financial workshops at vineyards to art shows and balls (voguing). The creative work that I provide is overall event/experience curation and communication services such as social media marketing/management and classes on how to communicate appropriately and how to improve business practices with communication. The thing that I am the most proud of is being able to provide events that are incredibly detailed and that our audience loves and wants to share with others. I always want to be known for innovation while giving back to something or someone doing something positive within their community. We have donated to a non-profit that feeds the homeless, along with donating to a non-profit that provides resources to black and brown artists. But we also believe in innovative events where attendees can learn something, such as communication tips or financial advice.

Overall, I am grateful for my high school experience and my time at Claflin University along with the United States Air Force, which helped me realize my passion for event curation and gave me the skills and experience to pursue it as a career.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Society can truly empower artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem by recognizing the immeasurable value of the arts. By investing in arts education, providing resources, funding, and celebrating the arts in all forms, we can uplift and inspire our communities. We can also work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable arts community by promoting diversity and representation in the arts. As individuals, we can support artists and creatives by attending shows and events, purchasing their work, and engaging with their communities. By joining hands to support and uplift the arts, we can create a vibrant and flourishing creative ecosystem to delight and inspire the world.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

As an artist or creative, the most reading is having the power to bring something completely new and unique into the world and to share it with others. Creating can be incredibly rewarding and therapeutic, allowing you to express yourself and connect with your innermost thoughts and emotions. The beauty of creative expression is that it can inspire and touch the lives of others, and this can be a powerful motivator for you as an artist or creative. Keep exploring your creativity and sharing your unique talents with the world, knowing that you have the ability to make a positive impact on those around you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.themimosaway.com/
• Instagram: @_thet_ & @themimosaway
• Facebook: Travis Barnes (https://www.facebook.com/ohbuddytrav)
• Linkedin: Travis Barnes (https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-barnes-891001127/)
• Twitter: @TravTheMimosa

Image Credits
Darren A. & Meesh