On Saturday, April 18, eighty people showed up to Spinelli’s Function Hall in Peabody — dressed sharp, hearts open — for the North Shore Juneteenth Association’s annual Hats, Heels, Bow Ties, & Blazers Tea. And what unfolded over that afternoon was exactly what happens when an organization puts as much intention into building community as it does into celebrating it.

Author: John, Content Director at Creative Collective, covering community and culture across Essex County’s North Shore. A snowstorm might have delayed the party, but it didn’t slow down the mission. The Local Black Excellence display, curated by North Shore Juneteenth Association Inc. (NSJA), is up right now in the foyer of Lynn City Hall — and it’s well worth a

#NonprofitNovember is highlighting Creative Collective’s nonprofit Business Members in a series of featured interviews. These short features will grant some insight into how these nonprofits have grown and developed through the years and how they plan to use what they’ve learned to further their respective missions in 2022.  This Holiday season, follow the hashtag #NonprofitNovember to learn more about the

All images by Lightshed Photography Studio We continue our #SummerSnaps Feature this week by shining a light on one half of the Lightshed Photography Studio duo: Kendra St. John. In this interview, Kendra gives a bit of insight into her process, her unique style and where you can find out more about her and her work. Tell us about who

We continue our #SummerSnaps Feature this week by spotlighting landscape and portrait photographer, Ryan G. Mason! Watch the video below to see how he broke into the field, what it’s like to work with him, and how working with his firefighter and photographer father inspired him to create timeless works of art. Website: https://www.ryanmason.com/IG: @ryan.g.mason  Capture the Summer with #SummerSnaps.

Interviewee: LULU AYUBE (SHE/HER) In your words… Tell us about your organization, business, initiative. A service that offers educational classes, diagnostics for distressed house plants, and personal consultations to help you pick the perfect plant for your space and your schedule. In addition, we offer a carefully selected collection of easy to care for plants to decorate your home or

Website: https://masspoetry.org/ Staff: Executive Director: Daniel Johnson; Education Director: Erica Charis-Molling; Events and Communications Coordinator: Talia Franks; Community Engagement Coordinator: Kaylin Wu; Festival Director: MP Carver; Festival Manager: Crystal Valentine Interested In having Your business featured and partnering with the Collective to grow your business? #joincreativecollective today! In your words… Tell us about your organization, business, initiative. Mass Poetry is

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/artbyalinazInterviewee: Artist- Alina Zalucki (She/her) Interested In having Your business featured and partnering with the Collective to grow your business? #joincreativecollective today! In your words… Tell us about your organization, business, initiative. Art By Alina Z aims to create works that will bring a sense of peace to your home. My illustrative works focus on the quiet beauty of

Website: https://lucillewineshop.com/Interviewee: Owner- Sarah Marshall (She/her) Interested In having Your business featured and partnering with the Collective to grow your business? #joincreativecollective today! In your words… Tell us about your organization, business, initiative. Lucille is a specialty wine and beer shop and tasting room led by a female sommelier. We value supporting small producers, ethical farming and labor practices, and

Website: dotconnectorconsulting.comInterviewee: Mikki Wilson Interested In having Your business featured and partnering with the Collective to grow your business? #joincreativecollective today! In your words… Tell us about your organization, business, initiative. Dot Connector Consulting provides virtual assistance solutions for growing and scaling your business. We support entrepreneurs and business owners by connecting dots on their to-do lists so they can