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.

Drew Goerlitz

We are currently working on the most meaningful project we have pursued in all collaborative endeavors so far. Our new business is a brainchild that came from wanting independent artists to have a platform to share and sell their work without having a large percentage taken from their earnings. Contemporary North Artist Collective aims to promote and support artists. Read more>>

Maya Nicole

My most meaningful project to date is, without a doubt, titled REDEFINING: A GALLERY EXPERIENCE of March 2022. This project was actually the first solo art show I hosted in honor of my 25th birthday. I had been daydreaming of a solo show for two years prior but always put it out of my head. Yet, so many things had taken place prior that made me feel like I’d land okay if I leaped. Before I fully submerged myself into my art career, I did digital strategy & experiential marketing for a Black-owned marketing agency putting in over 100+ hours a month. Read more>>

Teresa Carter

I started a series of paintings that depict the process of my journey through grief. After my husband passed away, my world flipped upside down. He was the love of my life, my partner in the trenches of life, and the other artist pea in my pod! I found it hard to want to live, let alone create. I clung to my Father God for dear life and He held all my pieces together. After a year of grieving, I picked up the paintbrush again. What came out was a series of works that portray my emotional journey from grief to hope. Read more>>

Millian

Every piece of work i’ve put out have specific meanings to me, but my recent most meaningful project will be my new single “Toronto”. Toronto is a song that expresses a guy’s affection towards a girl from Toronto. I have been working on this song for six months, and the making of the song was spontaneous and raw. At the time of the song production, I was in a different headspace and wanted to express myself as audible as i could. I heard the beat and magic was done. Read more>>

Adrienne Aragon

My song and music video for Sun//Sui is likely the most meaningful project that I have worked on and released. The initial initial writing process started at a dangerously dark period of my life, and I am so grateful that time, love, and creativity pulled me out of that space. An Ode Written in Darkness Drained and Lifeless Lest we Forget
That Glimmer of Light A Key is not Lost To a Door that is Open The final vision of Sun//Sui did not come to life until I was in a place where I could look back at where I had been when first writing the song, and see how far I had come. The person who wrote Sun//Sui is so different from the one who recorded, and released it – and that to me is one of the most rewarding and meaningful processes and experiences that I have shared with the world. Read more>>

Cynthia Levin

I choose plays that tell a great and meaningful story. We only produce contemporary plays which have social significance and speak to marginalized communities about topics including race, gender, class and sexual orientation. These stories thrill me and have the potential to change people’s perspectives and create empathy. My hope is that every time you come to the Unicorn Theatre, you discover something about yourself you did not know before you walked in. Growing up in Washington, DC in the 60’s, I learned to fight for social justice and the ability to change the world. Read more>>

Sarah LeJeune

The most meaningful project I worked on recently was a feature film that I wrote and starred in called “Amazing Gracie.” This film was inspired by my incredibly smart, 8-year-old niece, Amelia, and it was so special to see a project I loved go from the brainstorming phase all the way through to post-production, which we’re in now. This is the first feature film that I wrote that was produced by a company (Living Word Studios) that I’m not in charge of. (haha) Read more>>

Nigil Crawford

The most meaningful project has been on discovering who I am within my art. My joy in visual storytelling comes from making others feel good about themselves. In every shoot, I put a piece of myself in everything that I create no matter how big or small the project may be. Through creative struggles, I often meditate and reflect on what is truly important. Spending time with my family and loved ones has been a big factor, They’re my reason as to why I work as hard as I do. Read more>>

Bryant Urich

The most meaningful projects are usually the most elusive. For example, if you’re really supposed to create something, whether it be art, music, a business, etc, the amount of resistance that you encounter seems to be in direct proportion to how meaningful the project will be. I’ll never forget writing and recording our first record, “Océan Bleu” with the guys. It was a really special one, but not for the reasons that some people might think. It’s special because we didn’t really set out to make a record… Read more>>

Shanise Pimentel

The most meaingful project I have worked on are cakes made fro kids that are sick or that are siblings of kids that have a terminal sickness. The feeling of seen kids smile and so happy when they see their cakes it makes me feel like I accomplished the gift that God has gave me to be able to make others happy and feel special. There is an entity that is dedicated to search for bakers to give a special day to the kids and families that are not having the best time due to the circunstances. It makes me feel accomplished and it makes my heart full. Read more>>

Robert Short

One of the most meaningful projects I have worked on is the project we call “When The Apple Falls”. This project was meaningful because the music that was created to go along with the visual was written years ago. My wife heard the song when we first met and vowed that she wanted to write a short film based around the music, which sounds like it was from the late 1960’s early 1970’s. The film is about an artist who has a successful music career, but struggles with addiction to drugs in which she thinks helps with her performance when in all actuality it’s her God given talent that makes her stand to be the star that she is. Read more>>

Jaylyne Nguyen

The most meaningful project to me is the multi-page Studio Ghibli publication that I designed and curated back in the Fall of 2021. It was one of the first school projects where I got to pick my own topic of interest. The project parameter was only to design a 6 spread brochure, but because I was emotionally invested in the topic matter, I went above and beyond and ended up with a 63-page book. It is also the project where I learned the most throughout the whole process: organizing my tasks, facing procrastination head on, in-depth researching and curating the content by myself, drawing illustrations to push the content where photos could not. Read more>>

Cee Tha Gxdd.

“Love Is War” would have to be one of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on so far. The album was originally supposed to drop in 2021 but I kept having to push it back. See every song off that album was created in Walmart parking lot lol. I I used to work overnight and around this time I was learning how to make music off a phone so on every shift, when they gave me that hour break I was in the whip making hits. My support system, I call them Gxdd Gang, been asking me for a album every since Have You Like blew so I been knew it was time for one. Read more>>

Matt Baker.

One of the most meaningful projects I worked on, was Designing Merch for Young Thug’s Label YSL. Seeing my shirts on the Instagram Pages of some of my favorite producers like Wheezy & On Thugs sister, being posted on Gunna’s Instagram Story before their unfortunate situation occured, was truly groundbreaking and showed me that If I could reach that level with only a few years of hard work – I am able to achieve anything my mind desires. And estabilish any connection I wish. Read more>>

Tifarah Naava

You, You, and Yourself is the most powerful and meaningful project you will and can work on. I have curated stories, mistakes, lessons, enlightenment, and so much more. I wanted to connect to my sense of purpose, creativity, and confidence. My interest was so diverse, I didn’t know what path to focus on when I graduated high school. To be honest, I was envious of those around me who had a clear idea of what they wanted their career to be or do in life because they were working on it. Read more>>

Me Time Book Club

The most meaningful project we have done is our book event. Our goal is to promote literacy within our community. One way we give back is by hosting a book event featuring best selling and local authors. Read more>>

El Tayepac

To be honest my most meaningful project would have to be a toss up between either “WLWU” or “DTOT”. Why Lie We UNDRRTD was my 1st project and I was pushing a narrative of “we on the way to the game”. Now Different Type of Time was more of my way of letting the industry know “I was here and in a Different space. Ready for everything that comes with the game.” Read more>>

EmanDaGawd

The most meaningful project that I have worked on has to be my latest project I dropped called For The Vibes. This project meant a lot to me because it was my first project and putting it together was a tough process. Originally, I was going in a different direction with this project. Over the course of about 5+ months and many recording sessions, I recorded over 30 songs and narrowed it down to a tracklist of 10 songs that I was going to have on the debut tape. However, these songs were only rough drafts and as I was getting ready to put the final touches on the tracks, Read more>>

Jason Lord

From June through September of 2021, I had the good fortune of doing a residency in Drawing Room, a project space in Carrboro. Drawing Room is part of an artist-run collective called Attic 506 above the music venue Local 506. Basically, I was handed the keys to the space with the understanding that I could do whatever I wanted in it. I wanted to draw, and so I drew every day for months. I had a lot of momentum in my art practice at the time, rooted in a daily walking ritual of about eight miles a day. Read more>>

Brittany Mcvicker

I’ve recently had the honor of working with an amazing director (Keenan O’Riley) on a music film tilted “You Are The Answer”. The project is with the iconic band the Goo Goo Dolls. The story is about breaking the cycle of abuse by recognizing the pain of the past. The project is in collaboration with the Safe At Home foundation which works to educate to end the cycle of domestic violence. Their motto is “Every child deserves to feel Safe At Home.” I hope the film will touch the minds and hearts of many. Read more>>

Alexis Weinberg

My most meaningful project to date would have to be my very first photoshoot that I directed for myself. Growing up, I always claimed to be “camera-shy” due to limiting beliefs and many self-debilitating insecurities. I hated taking pictures, being caught on camera, the whole nine. As the years past my confidence grew and I found myself voluntarily wanting to have my pictures taken. If I felt like my outfit was hard or even if I just felt good, I would ask my friends to get some pics of me. Last summer is when I decided that I wanted to take this newfound love of having my pictures taken and marry it with my creativity to direct a conceptual photoshoot for myself. Read more>>

Jackie Barnes

In April 2020, a third of the Wendel family’s cherished home was destroyed when a tornado swept through my neighborhood of Wyoming in Cincinnati, OH. Renovating and redesigning this home was non-negotiable. The Wendels took this devastating turn of events and decided to bring to life a new chapter for their home and family. They didn’t want to put their home back together exactly as it was before the tornado hit. They wanted to recreate a home that would be truly functional, which would require adding on some extra square footage. Read more>>

Zollyann Howell

My goal is to always make sure that everything I do in life or aspire to do in life is meaningful or has some sort of positive impact on the lives of others. Growing up I would always enjoy tagging along with my mother or gran-gran during the holidays when they would go out to feed the homeless in the city or give back to the local children’s orphanage in the neighborhood. Of Course back then it was fun for me to tag along with them and I never really understood the “why” behind why they did it. Read more>>

Dave Noodlez

So many but one of my favorite projects that I have worked on was ‘Embrace the Brace’. My friend’s husband has Myeloma Cancer, a disease that affects his vertebrae and requires him to wear a white brace every day. He is also required to go to treatment very often. Read more>>

Jesse Tobin McCauley

During the spring of 2020, in the midst of covid, I was asked to create a large scale mural in the heart of my hometown. It was a project that frightened me and excited me – I had never created something so large. But I said yes to it and along with my uncle and a friend we created “The Sun will Rise” a 16′ x 20′ abstract mural depicting a colorful mountain scene. The hope is that this mural would brighten everyones day and lift spirits during such a depressed time. Also the location of the mural was so meant to be – it was placed on a building in town that my grandmother lived in when I was young and that I spent my childhood. Read more>>

Teresa Ruiz

My “In Red” series has been a long, meaningful project that remains ongoing. It houses deep, dark emotions in layers of acrylic paint and keeps them away from mind. I tend to spiral sometimes and putting emotion to canvas has helped in getting me out of said spirals. They are pieces that have taken the role of housing my pain, my suffering, unwanted memories, and take the burden of locking said emotions away and range from the feeling of being lost, to depicting how I feel inside, to express my hurt, to revealing who I could be and to lock away experiences in my life. Read more>>

Dre Lorde

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on so far would be my current project I’m working on. This project is my debut project and it displays everything from the pass 2-4 years since I’ve been on a hiatus with music and writers block. I’ve started this body of work March of 2022 and I’ve linked up with amazing artist and my engineer to create it. I don’t want to say a lot just know that , it shows growth, versatility, and most importantly ME. Read more>>

Lara Mamoun.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far has been my debut album ‘Purple Skies’. I’ve been working in the film industry for the last 6 years, but no one expected me to release my music – because not many people knew I even made music. Music has always been a passion of mine, but it took me years to unveil my musical works under my stage name Elle Moon. I needed time to discover myself before I could share every part of myself with the world. Read more>>

Joshua Patino

Every one of my projects means so much to me. What started out as a pocket tee clothing brand grew into a full blown mobile shop that I built in the back of a 2016 Ford Transit high roof van. One truly special project that I worked on this year though was The NOMAD MUSIC FESTIVAL. It was inspired by this series I created called The NOMAD MUSIC SESSIONS that takes place infront of my Ford Transit van. I created this platform to have local artists perform a song and upload to YouTube and share it across other social media platforms. Read more>>

Alyssa Winans.

I’ve been fortunate enough to work on a variety of meaningful, challenging projects alongside a host of creative, thoughtful co-workers. However, the most meaningful project to me was a personal one, because it opened the door to the artist I am today. I was feeling artistically lost in 2014. At the time, I was freelancing for game companies and theoretically doing illustration jobs, but no illustration jobs were really coming in. I was below the poverty line, and had serious concerns about whether I could continue to pursue art as a career. Read more>>

Gregg DaCosta

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on will be releasing later this year called, “Guilty Conscience”. It’s a psychological horror/Thriller feature film that will be released on multiple streaming platforms. The film is about a man who doesn’t seem to have a grip on reality, but is guided by his therapist and fiancé to the truth. This film goes into so many topics with mental health, like depression, PTSD, to other important issues in the world like gun safety, Read more>>

Dre Torres

One of the most meaningful projects has been working as the assistant tap choreographer on Funny Girl the Musical on Broadway with Lea Michele and Tovah Feldshuh. As a Gay Latina I never saw this is in my future but always wanted to achieve this dream. I grew up in a small town called mcallen Texas. So many obstacles especially at that time. Read more>>

Janae Music

Every piece of work I release is meaningful because I write majority of my music. Just about everything I put out is a reflection of me and my truth or my experiences. However, my EP 1124 was super special to me. I was going through an emotional time dealing with relationship woes and it was just a huge release for me. It gave me room to let go and start over. Read more>>

Ashton Edmunds

In the Summer of 2021, I received the opportunity to be a writer for inaugural Black Gaze Series with ESPN’s Andscape. The project is an exclusive photo portfolio that widens the lens and depicts the strength, innovation and magnificence of Black culture, something I’m really passionate about. Being able to tell the stories that relate to me, my family and my upbringing while having the chance to tell them for ESPN was a watershed moment for me. Read more>>

Jackson Parten

My last album, Happily Ever Aftermath, is a very meaningful project . It was the first album that I produced and played every instrument on. My wife also sings harmonies on the songs and it’s our first time to be recorded together. I had the opportunity to go on a last minute tour in Europe in February 2020 and wanted to have some new music to share. I went into Stone Creek Studios in Helotes, Texas and made the record in a couple of days. Read more>>

Hafto

There were two projects that come to mind are the EP’s that I had released. The first one was Altered Reality where I talk about a range of themes from Loyalty to Love to Faith. The plot of “Altered Reality” revolves with the repercussions that might result from decisions and alternatives that take one’s life in an unexpected direction. It is not about conforming to societal norms or expectations; rather, it is about the decisions that individuals make and the chances they take to forge their own paths. Read more>>

Maya Colop-Morale

After getting degrees in fashion merchandising and entrepreneurship at LIM College in New York City, I returned to my home country, Guatemala, to start my own textile business. While I was there, I was approached by the nonprofit organization, Friendship Bridge, to consult with staff on how to help impoverished rural Guatemalan women artisans develop their businesses. From the beginning, I loved leading trainings for the artisans Read more>>

Lyudmila Tomova

My most recent project that will be seen only by a few people is one of the most meaningful I’ve ever done. It all started with me painting a mural on the boards protecting a store in downtown Raleigh during the BLM protests in 2020. That mural was highly publicized and well liked. Shortly after, I received a phone call from dawn Thomas – the psychotherapist for the Youth Development Centers in Wake County – who told me that after seeing my mural in Downtown Raleigh, she wanted me to paint a mural for their Fayetteville facility. Read more>>

Allan Sidley

During the pandemic I published the book Daddy Issues: A Fatherless Comedian’s Original Jokes, which was an Amazon #1 new release, led to a couple of radio interviews, and a live Fox 5 DC news segment. This was an incredibly meaningful project for me that only happened under several unique circumstances all coming together- my comedy style, the pandemic, and the life events that shaped me. Read more>>

Rashida Biera

The birth of Hue-man Expressions. I’m a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and I work in the field of Applied Behavior Analyst which is the application of scientific principles to improve behavior that means something to the individual and those around them. I work with kids who have Autism. So you are always researching educational material for your clients. But time and time again, it was frustrating not to see diversity with educational material depicting Black children. Positive representation in educational curricula can be helpful in increasing self-esteem, reducing stereotypes and providing validation and support. So Hue-man Expressions, LLC was born. Read more>>