About

DanSan Creatives is a vibrant and inclusive organization that serves as a catalyst for positive change through the arts. We are firmly rooted in our core values of authenticity, compassion, honesty, accountability, and well-being, guided by our faith in Yahweh and the teachings of Christ. We are proud to work with people of all backgrounds, transcending divisions of race, culture, religion, ability, gender, and sexual orientation. Our primary mission is to empower creatives, providing them with the tools, inspiration, and opportunities needed to embrace their creative voices and make a meaningful impact through storytelling.

At DanSan Creatives, we believe that stories have the power to heal, inspire, and advocate for justice. We envision a world where storytelling is a driving force behind cultural preservation, liberation, and positive change. Our goals, from connecting with creatives to facilitating healing workshops, are all in service of this vision. Together, we strive to create a world where everyone can access the transformative power of storytelling, and where Black stories play a central role in shaping our collective narrative.

Vision: To create a world where every individual, regardless of their background, has the tools and opportunities for self-expression, preservation, and liberation through the transformative power of storytelling.

Mission: DanSan Creatives is dedicated to fostering a thriving and inclusive creative community. Our mission is to empower all creatives by harnessing the arts and arts education to diversify narratives and promote unity. We collaborate with communities and organizations to amplify the voices of Black storytellers, recognizing them as catalysts for cultural preservation, liberation, healing, access, social justice, and positive change.

Rooted in Faith and Values: DanSan Creatives' journey is firmly rooted in core values, which draw strength from our faith in Yahweh and the teachings of Christ. Authenticity, compassion, honesty, accountability, and well-being are not just buzzwords; they are the pillars upon which this organization stands. These values guide our interactions with people, stories, and spaces, inspiring empathy and advocating for justice. A unique aspect of our core values is our commitment to not conducting any transactional activity or services from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, in accordance with our faith. This unwavering dedication to our beliefs is a testament to our authenticity and commitment to our principles.

Goals

1. Connect with Creatives/Artists: We aim to build a robust network of creatives and artists, fostering collaboration, mentorship, and support within our creative community. With avenues like our creative collective agency and Goody Night we are able to connect with, and foster sustainable relationships with various artists and creatives. 

2. Inspire and Motivate Creatives/Artists: Our goal is to inspire and motivate individuals to discover their unique voices and embrace their character, empowering them to tell their stories authentically. With avenues like our Indispensably Black Streaming we are able to inspire and motivate creatives to create while empowering them with our creative collective agency.

3. Assist/Advocate for Creatives to be Independently Creative: We are committed to helping creatives become self-sufficient and independent in their creative pursuits, providing resources and advocacy where needed. We offer various workshops and participate in various panels across the midwest using our voice and platform to advocate and highlight the value of creatives in our communities and share framework that is vital to creative independence. 

4. Produce More Stories (Especially Black Stories/Black Creatives): We actively seek to produce and promote more stories, with a special focus on amplifying the narratives of Black storytellers and creatives. With our Black Film Project we engage a variety of creativity intergenerationally around collaborative creation of films and stories essential to the black community.

5. Publish More Stories (Especially Black Stories/Black Creatives): Sharing stories with the world is essential to expanding perspectives and fostering understanding. We aspire to publish a diverse array of stories, with an emphasis on Black voices and creativity. With our new publishing initiative Indispensably Black we are able to use our platform as a publishing site for educative, entertaining, and preservative reasons.

6. Invest in Community Cultural Space (Especially Fostering Black Families): We are dedicated to creating and sustaining community cultural spaces that nurture storytelling, especially within Black families, as these spaces serve as hubs for cultural preservation and growth.

7. Facilitate Healing Workshops and Foundational Arts Education: Recognizing the therapeutic and transformative power of the arts, we seek to provide healing workshops and foundational arts education to communities, fostering well-being and self-discovery.