Creatives make the world go round and The Creative Collective NYC (CCNYC) is proof of it. Birthed in the one-bedroom of founder Imani Ellis, the organization has quickly become a safe place for creatives of colors to thrive. “I invited a few friends over and we all went around the room, sharing what we were going through and what resources we needed to succeed,” said Ellis, who also serves as the VP of Communications for NBC Universal. “It felt so incredible to realize that there were other creatives of color experiencing similar experiences – and we left feeling inspired.” Despite her original dreams to keep the group small, it has since grown into an ever-evolving community that is home to both creatives and young professionals of color.