For the Culture: A Black History Month Roundup
Black History Month is a time of both reflection and celebration of Black culture. Each voice contributes to the culture and there are millions of black voices that have yet to be heard. We’ve rounded up some great contributions and took a look at what black creatives are up to during this historical month.
RPA
RPA’s Lauren Thomas is a copywriter who, for Black History Month, brought her creativity to the company store, RPAxGoods, a place where advocacy, style, and charity intertwine. The collection, called “Our Flowers,” is rooted in the conviction that if we're all allies and do the work now, we can give flowers while our community is still here, instead of waiting for future injustice to strike. Lauren's artwork portrays a Black man and woman holding bunches of colorful pansies, with each color representing a certain intangible value like justice and power. Pansies are generally known to symbolize love, yet they're also one of the toughest flowers, surviving during both the winter and spring, which further reflects the call for year-round action and allyship regardless of the political climate.
All the profits from the RPAxGoods store will be donated to the Prince George's Art and Humanities council in Prince George’s County, Maryland, a predominantly Black area where Lauren grew up. Links below to view the collection and more info.
https://twitter.com/RPA_advertising/status/1488565307719315457?s=20&t=8inf4p4y0P7UdLBZltUitQ
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZcXBBLN3qg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Havas Atlanta
In Havas Atlanta, two individuals that are making history are Keiarra Mclean and Brandon Brown. Keiarra Mclean is a copywriter. Some of her latest work as part of a team included creating a campaign for Sprite’s seasonal Winter Spiced Cranberry Flavor. When she’s not working with Sprite on their latest campaigns she’s running an online platform called Flurry. Keiarra uses this platform to highlight BIPOC creative voices with the intent to build up the community and encourage collaboration. To accomplish her goal, Kiearra has made both print and online zines that focus on particular themes such as Nostalgia and Identity. Her upcoming zine is focused on the theme of Fear. Through her zines, Keaiarra explores the creative complexities that are part of being a black creator.
Some of her work with Havas and her work as the creator and director of Flurry can be viewed below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CV5kEGGo-EK/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWn0XTstGks/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXKAWv1r8s9/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CW53weONsn2/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMvT5UFAY-T/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSCrwEOLkmN/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMlHLPQAr9s/
Brandon Brown is an ACD who also works closely with Sprite. Some of his latest work can be seen on social media as he and his team developed real-time social assets to contribute and connect with users in response to Sprite trending on Twitter. Brandon also runs his own creative studio called Plotwist Creative. Plotwist Creative specializes in content creation, visual identity, and web presence. Along with that, Brandon is also building the Allinit brand that he describes as “a lifestyle brand focused on helping people respect their journeys”. As the creative director at Plotwist, a project that he feels reflects his efforts as well as work etiquette include Arby’s: Space Meats Truth which documented Arby’s presence and engagement at Area 51 during the Storm Area 51 craze in order to help build Arby’s brand awareness.
His work with Havas and as Creative Director at Plotwist:
https://twitter.com/Sprite/status/1480667370532261892?s=20&t=JhA5zd-U-tz6cKQz3C_v_A
https://plotwistcreative.co/portfolio/arbys-space-meats-truth/
Havas New York
At Havas New York and Annex 88, Melissa Tifrere is the Head of Integrated Production. Melissa has worked for over 17 years alongside some of the industry’s best creatives and thinkers. She’s produced content for brands such as Microsoft, AT&T, Footlocker, PepsiCo, Reebok, Chase, United AIrlines, Crayola, and New York-Presbyterian among many others. One of the most recent campaigns she’s overseen is the Stay Amazing campaign for New York-Presbyterian that seeked to encourage consumers to prioritize their health and wellbeing.
Havas Chicago
Havas Chicago's Senior Art Director, TTK Harris is a painter and graphic designer. His work combines pop culture, subculture, and typography to produce colorful paintings, illustrations, and designs often with complex social undertones. He has created works for a range of clients from Nas to Michelin.
N.O.R.E. feat Pharrell Williams "Uno Mas" lyric video
creative direction, designer
See What I'm Sayin' (personal zine)
creative direction, designer, illustrator
NASIR
art direction, package design
Ogilvy
Over at Ogilvy, they have looked to the future with their campaign The Future is Black. Their campaign explored Black art, cuisine, music, and fashion with an afrofuturism point of view to build a better tomorrow. Ogilvy seeked to empower their employees as well as consumers by hosting events and panels helmed by Black professionals. These events showcased how self-healing and self-liberation through the arts can lead to a better tomorrow. Details HERE.