Today we’d like to introduce you to Makisha Noël.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
For starters, I was born and raised in sunny Miami. I lived in North Miami/Miami Shores, went to church in Little Haiti, high school in North Miami Beach, and shopped in Aventura. I was super active in the community and always took the opportunity to serve, whether it be with the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce or the Youth Opportunity Board of North Miami, I was a part of it.
Over time, I built so many amazing relationships and truly formed a network of impactful people. Strong Women Strong Girls Non-Profit Organization was one of the organizations I was invested in. I had the opportunity to empower elementary school girls in Overtown, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens and Opa-Locka.
I worked with a powerhouse of a team, women of color, might I add, that was incredibly dedicated to the mission. I believe it was then that the love for a platform like Creative Culture Tribe, was birthed.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. What has been one of my biggest struggles was self-doubt and a limited mindset. I believe it’s easy to look at a situation or obstacle and allow the circumstance to shrink your thinking. I can think of countless times when I was in a situation and allowed a perceived lack of financial abundance to stunt my creativity.
I’d also say a lack of clarity was a major struggle. Especially growing up in this generation, we’re all so multitalented and ambitious. So, I dabbled in so much which was great, but it was a struggle nailing down what my “thing” was.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about your Creative Ventures – what should we know?
Sure! I get into a few things. First, when I was a student at the University of Central Florida around the election time in 2015, I realized I had so many driven, intelligent pockets of friends. These pocket of friends had very strong opinions, but I noticed there weren’t intentional spaces where folks could have critical conversations.
This is where The Living Room Project (LRP) was birthed. The purpose of LRP is to build community through constructive dialogue and debate, one living room at a time. While online communities are great, I wanted to pull people from behind the screen into one room together.
The results have been pretty impactful as we were featured on NPR’s WLRN and that next year, I was invited to speak in Istanbul, Turkey about this community development project. The Living Room Project is slated to launch in Washington, DC this year.
I am also officially launching Creative Culture Tribe this year! As I shared earlier, the seed for this vision was planted when I was a student at Miami Dade College doing Strong Women Strong Girls. Let it be known, black and brown women are quite magical. We’re creative, ambitious, graceful, compassionate and we make things happen.
With more women of color rising up to use their voice, I’m creating this platform where they can intentionally connect with one another to elevate in their lives and careers.
Therefore, on March 9, 2019, I’m hosting the first annual Creative Culture Tribe Summit in Miami! I’ll be convening 50+ of Miami’s emerging female creatives of color in business, social impact space, real estate, music, and tech. These are professionals, entrepreneurs, influencers, and thinkers across all industries.
The theme is to #ConnectToCreate as we’re living in a time where the authenticity of your relationships is what increases your quality of life and gets you to your intended destination. Not your status, wealth, or prestige. It’s the impact you make on others. I’m known for bringing dope people together to share timeless experiences.
What sets me apart is that over time, I’ve gained a very clear sense of who and whose I am. I carry a strong faith in Jesus Christ and my relationship with God drives everything I set out to do. I’ve been blessed to think strategically and to operate from a longevity mindset. And while I experience as much fear as the next woman, I still go after what I believe is mine. I do things while scared, and I don’t apologize for it.
My favorite quote is “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, but our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure” by Marianne Williamson. The moment I read this poem in front of a group of about 100 girls and boys in Botswana, Africa in 2015, I truly knew I was meant to send ripples across this world. For that, I am grateful.
What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned over the course of your career?
I probably would’ve learned to exercise more harmony with the things I set out to do. I, unfortunately, would allow certain things in my life to overwhelmingly consume my focus. So, exercising discipline is super important.
Now, I’ve learned to finish what I start with excellence and that it’s okay if something has an end date. But, there are some things I wouldn’t change. I wouldn’t change accepting an offer to the Peace Corps but then later declining it. I wouldn’t change getting fired from a job I adored. I wouldn’t change being born during this time.
Every single moment I’ve experienced has built the solid character that I have to continue operating in excellence. Along the way, I’ve become extremely self-aware, conscious with my time and responsible for my actions.
Pricing:
- $50 for Early Bird
- $75 for General Admission
- $85 for Late General Admission
- Group + other packages available soon
- Miami Summit will be opening a select amount of seats for high schools girls to experience creative entrepreneurship. Please reach out if you are interested in making this a field trip for your female students.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.makishanoel.com, www.creativeculturetribe.com
- Email: hello@makishanoel.com; hello@creativeculturetribe.com
- Instagram: @makishanoel, @creativeculturetribe
Image Credit:
Shannin Wonderland, Denise Grier, David Frederick
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