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.

Tatyana Kurepina

Sharing stories has always been a powerful tool in connecting with others. It’s also a way for us to process not only difficult events, but also difficult emotions, making room for empathy and healing. And in many ways, art and storytelling go hand in hand. By using color, line, gesture, composition and symbolism, artists present their own narratives. Read more>>

Anyika Onuora

Writing my autobiography was one of the most thrilling and amazing experiences I’ve ever had. I went through many ups, downs and challenges throughout my career as a professional athlete so to talk about everything so openly (personal incidents I hadn’t told anyone sexual assault, racism, suicide) has been wonderful. Read more>>

Rafe Carlson

I’ve always hoped for the opportunity to use my platform to help people. Last year I wrote a song call “A Place to Fall” for a movie called “We Got Your Six” about veterans suffering from PTSD. Months later, my producer and I decided to record it, and potentially release it as a single. I sat with it for a year, until I finally connected with the 23rd Veteran, a veteran organization I thought could benefit. Read more>>

Mark Labella

Just wrapped as the US Producer to the first major Filipino studio backed film here in Los Angeles called “Labyu with an Accent” all the while appearing as a recurring guest star in this season’s S.W.A.T. On CBS (season 6). As a Filipino-American producer and screenwriter, working with Philippines’ two biggest stars, Coco Martin and Jodi Sta. Maria felt like a dream realized for many of us. It has been my PERSONAL mission to see Filipino Americans get representation in American media. We are the second largest AAPI population in the country, and it’s been my life’s work to bring that representation to the forefront. Read more>>

Dr. Christie Black-Murrell

In all honesty as a counselor the majority of my work has been a work of the heart. That has always been my driving force in the decisions that I have made and probably will forever be. One thing that I am extremely focused on is kindness and the impact that it has on me and on others. I teach it daily as a school counselor and I model with my children, family, friends, and even random strangers. This the very reason why I decided to not only write a Children’s book that focused on bullying and how to safeguard yourself but to be sure that it got into the hands and hearts of as many children possible. Read more>>

Marissa Schmidt.

Every session or project that has served people in their purpose is meaningful to me. Some of the most rewarding clients who were those who were starting a business they had always dreamed of, helping people with disabilities or equipping impoverished women in various countries. Read more>>

Bingjie Cui

It’s hard to select the most meaningful project as I value my different experiences on various projects. However, I would say the editorial illustrations I created for my thesis project mean a lot to me. It contains nine illustrations completed by the conceptual approach with a concentration on the inclusive life in my hometown- Xinjiang, China. Xinjiang, China is an autonomous region of China, well-known for its ethnic diversity, beautiful natural scenery, and energetic local life. Xinjiang, as a Silk Road gateway to the west, attracts visitors from all over the world with its ethnic aesthetics. Read more>>

Alex Allegra

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve been in the process of working on is the songs I’m releasing in the New Year. Prior to these songs, I’ve only professionally released one song. I’ve learned a lot about the mistakes in marketing and the patience needed to releasaing new music. It’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough when compairing yourself to everyone else in the music industry, but I’ve truly embrassed and fell in love with doing things my way as an artists. Read more>>

Mari Hashimoto

I think the most meaningful project that I’ve worked on is when I gave a “lecture” recital at a nursing home. It was an informal concert where I performed popular selections of classical music with fun facts and history. It was one of the most enjoyable concerts I gave where I got to interact with the audience. It was a mixture of audience members who had never gone to a classical music concert and those that played an instrument growing up. Read more>>

Tyler Gilbert

The one album that always comes to mind when someone asks me which had the biggest impact and means the most to me was my 2013 release titled “OK Murphy”. This album features 13 original songs written by myself. What made this album so special started write from the writing process. I structured these songs in a sort of theatrical way, a lot of the songs had this build up about 3/4 of the way through the song. This gave the songs a very cinematic feel to them, which conveyed a lot of power and emotion to the song. Read more>>

Kelly Oakes

It has always been important to me to use my art to give back to the community in some way. I was living in Charlottesville, VA in 2017 and really thinking about how to do this. Then the riots happened in August, right across the street from my studio. It changed my little town in a horrible way. That is when I decided to do a series of portraits titled: To See and Be Seen, To Know and Be Known: Charlottesville After the August 2017 riots of hate and violence in Charlottesville, I felt called to reach out to the people that hung out at the homeless day shelter across the street from my studio. Read more>>

Melissa Lallo Johnson

In 2019, a very dear family friend asked if I could help with the flowers for her wedding. I was a bit leery since I had never done anything like that before but the bride had a small budget and needed some help. We ended up spending less than $300 to achieve the look of this wedding and it was breathtaking. Through the 2020 season, I grew and harvested many hydrangea, grasses and flowers off of my property and planted large amounts of amaranth at the bride’s grandmother’s farm where the wedding would be held. Read more>>

Aiko Hatano

I am dispatched by Japan Foundation as a Japan Outreach Initiative Coordinator. Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) is the program to connect people in the U.S. and Japan throughout the cultural exchange events especially in the region which is relatively few resources of Japanese culture. I am hosted by Mayville State University in North Dakota. I am working as a volunteer coordinator to expand Japanese culture in a rural area in North Dakota. Read more>>

Pastor Jay Calhoun

I started Anointed Radio here in Las Vegas because I feel like there was a need for a gospel station that highlights the people that are doing great thing in the body of Christ and community Read more>>

Kat Nix.

I feel grateful that my business continues to allow me to connect with meaningful experiences and projects often. As I deepen my practices and rituals, I feel reaffirmed that whatever energy you put out into the universe is what comes back to you. This past year especially, I feel blessed that my business and creative practice do feel rooted and reflected back to me with intentionality, ritual, love, and community. All to say, it’s difficult to speak to a “most meaningful” project. Read more>>

Cindy-Ann Boisson.

The Tickled Children Comedy Workshop has been the most meaningful. A few years ago I envisioned a children’s comedy workshop. Back then I didn’t have the exact template in mind. I was sure of two things: My love for working with children and my love for comedy. You see kids WILL let you know when they’ve just about had enough and, they never wanted the day to end! Read more>>

Kristin Bural

68 million people worldwide have fled their homes because of conflict, unrest or disaster. Displaced, without stability, and uprooted from everything they know. 25,465 refugees were legally admitted into the United States this year. Getting to work with a nonprofit that helps welcome refugees to America through providing mentorship, education, and career services has been such an honor Elimu Empowerment Center was started by Esther (Idassi) Mwandiko, a refugee herself. Read more>>

Kimberly Muniz

Being on lockdown during the pandemic was very enlightening and educational as well as transformational. I found the algorithm affectionately coined, “Native TikTok” and that is what led me to a project that literally changed me forever and I am not exaggerating. What was meant to be an act of solidarity and activism, ended up leading me onto my spiritual path, the one I have been searching for my entire life. I do not believe in coincidence, everything happens for a reason even if it is serendipitously. Read more>>

Allison Bowman

The most meaningful project I have worked on was Art In the Loop: Resilient in Kansas City, MO in 2021. Art In The Loop is an organization that works with the Kansas City Streetcar to bring art to downtown Kansas City’s transit. Artists apply with designs to either be installed on streetcar shelters or they can be wrapped on the streetcar itself. I applied with a design called Sacred Spaces that is a digital collage of some of my paintings and it was chosen to be installed temporarily on the streetcar shelter at 9th and Main streets in front of the Kansas City Library. Read more>>

Kent Dean

I would say my current project is the most meaningful. I’m currently working in the studio to release an EP of songs that are deeply personal and also somewhat autobiographical. They get back to my roots and are some of my favorite songs I’ve ever written. Read more>>

Amber Larkins

One day while I was woking out and trying to catch my breath. I took a little break so I could catch my breath. I was standing in the gym under the squat rack, and suddenly the most revolutionary idea popped into my head. Honestly, this is when most of my best ideas come to mind, You see, I had been looking for a way I could use my talent to help people. It had also been on my heart to help others share their stories, and on this particular day, under that squat rack, it hit me that I should create a type of photography session that will artistically tell what they have overcame.” Read more>>

Marthe Vangman

In may 2022, I managed all the talent and played an important role in producing a campaign called “Raise your Flag: Pride Eve”. The reason for this campaign was to shine a light on the issues and discrimination that people within the LGBTQ+ community is facing everyday in our societies. In 2022, there are over 240 anti-LGBTQ+ pieces of legislation across the country, and our mission with our campaign was to send a visible message to the country and policy makers and donate as much money as we could to GLAAD, The Trevor Project and Project Contrast via Pride Flag sales. Read more>>

Lewis Jackson.

The most meaningful project I have worked on is working with a company named MEDCO. They represent hundreds of thousands of automotive tool and equipment distributers, and once a year they hold a trade show that brings them all together. Each year they also choose a charity to represent and hold an auction for. I had a booth at the trade show where I displayed five Tailgate Benches. During the first day of the trade show I built a bench at the booth on spot to be auctioned off to benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric cancer research the next day. Read more>>

Aerial Lange

To be honest, every connection I’m able to create with someone through my art is meaningful to me. But what comes first to my mind are the commissions I have had the honor to create for people symbolizing the passing of a loved one. While completely nerve wracking with pressure to make sure it’s represented properly, it’s also a powerful feeling to be able to create something that can bring a feeling of reconnection with someone that feels lost forever. Read more>>

Laurie Tieman

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was the short film, “Found.” This film was so meaningful because it was my screenwriting and producing debut. It was also very meaningful because it is about motherhood, friendship, and empty nesting. I wrote this film while going through many of the challenges and experiences of motherhood and empty-nesting, so it is very relatable and it served as a catharsis for me. Read more>>

Victor Walker

I co managed rap artist V.I.C…he was a artist that was independent and really working hard to be discovered… after signing to our management company we were able to secure a major record deal and lead off his major recording career with a gold selling single… after the release of the album the label eventually dropped us after of 2nd single…. through hard work and god’s will… after over 10 years the single “wobble” was certified 4x platinum Read more>>

Huelani Fogleman.

One of the most meaningful jobs I’ve ever done was accomplishing and installing my first big sculpture, “Grounded Growth” located at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody, Georgia. Grounded Growth is a sculptural bike rack that consists of three 15 foot tall flowers and eight individual bike racks in the shape of leaves that can hold up to 16 bikes. I have a sculpture degree and have always dreamed of having public art out in the world so this project became a lifelong dream come true! Read more>>

Trew Love

Each of my projects has a unique meaning to them so it’s difficult to say that one means more than the other. Trew Basics, my illustrated makeup tutorial book, is significant to me because it was the first project I created for myself after deciding to leave my makeup career and set off as an artist. My Sugar Coated exhibit was a turning point in my career where I stepped WAY out of my comfort zone to create a completely unique concept to address social and political issues of our time using clever humor and layered neon acrylic panels. It was the first time I stepped into my voice as an artist and into the world of conceptual art. Read more>>

Occupy Vacancy

The project we’re currently working on is some of the most meaningful work either of us has done. The backstory of Occupy Vacancy is rooted in celebrating our hometown of St. Louis. We both left the midwest for similar reasons and headed to cities we believed would embrace us more. What’s been beautiful about this story is recognizing all of the support we’ve received within our home community. I think it’s opened both of our eyes to what is possible with time, but also how we can choose our perception and how we can define opportunity. Read more>>

Myriam Cavalli

Each one of them has a story to tell and wants to send a clear message to who’s listening. The lyrics of my fist song ‘My Eyes’ came from my own reflection about the importance of eyes. They allow us to experience good and bad things in life: the face of a lover, a new breathtaking place, all the memories we’ve collected in the years. Read more>>

RememberBuddha

First and foremost, every project I have released to the world is valuable to me for encapsulating those moments in time but, my most meaningful project to me right now has to be my recently released album New Gardens. Before I even decided to formulate this project or even the idea of it, I was dealing with getting kicked out of my old house. I had my studio there, which I turned into a business producing, mixing and mastering other artists music and making my own in a clear head space. Read more>>

Jamal “Litebulb” Oliver

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is The Era’s upcoming “Footwork Youth Festival” on December 4th this year. It’s a great project that holds value because it highlights some of my key skills alongside The Era’s to coach/ mentor, choreograph and create impactful events centered around youth development and the future of Chicago Footwork. The Era Footwork Collective won a grant this past spring for $20-$25k to create a performance from the Arts Works Fund, a great opportunity for us. Read more>>

Nikaela Johnson

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve had thus far is creating my family’s nonprofit. Jinn’s Crib, Inc. founded in February of 2021, was created by my family and with the purpose of providing basic essentials to new mothers free of charge. I tailored majority of my studies in the graduate program towards creating proposals, pitch decks and other documents for our nonprofit. This nonprofit has given my family an opportunity to not only build generational wealth and legacy, but to research and execute different ways of impacting our community. Read more>>

Britton Vanlandingham

In our new song “Eye of the Storm” we took the story of Jesus and the apostles at sea and made it our own. In the storms of life, it is always comforting to know you have the one who created it all with you at all times. Read more>>

Onaji Rouse

One of the most meaningful projects that I am currently producing, is part 1 of my film series titled DRAFTED: Origins. It’s a live adaptation spin off sci-fi series of my comic book Odina. I’ve always wanted to produce tv and film and at some because of the respect I have the industry and the time that goes into creating these projects. I use to just sit back and try and find a way to break into this industry. Which is hard for actors and even harder for writers. Read more>>