An incredible thing happens when a platform is created to help elevate entrepreneurs in a community like Winston-Salem. While many creatives working towards catapulting their career choose to venture out into larger cities in North Carolina and abroad, Whitney Daniel, creator of SnootyJudy.com, has provided a space that provides them with growth opportunities right here.
And what better place than the City of Arts and Innovation?
Birthed in 2015 out of a desire to meet several needs in the community, 20 Somethings Doing Something, also referred to as 20SDS, began as an opportunity to cultivate space for black millennials, creatives, and entrepreneurs.
Whitney is proud to share that each year the event has progressed by adding different experiences such as installations and documentaries. This August marked the 4th 20SDS event, and with it came a surplus of added content and value! The three day weekend included creative resources, art installations and collaborative efforts, live podcast tapings, conversations, and the annual 20SDS art showcase.
Over the years this event has become the ultimate experience for millennials, entrepreneurs, and creatives!
Those lucky enough to attend the event were greeted with a sense of community over competition through every segment of the programming. Over the span of the weekend’s many events, countless artists, photographers, fashion designers, podcasters, and other creatives came together to not only showcase their own work, but to also support one another’s. Whether in the form of business cards being passed out and social media accounts being followed or future collaborations being planned and resources being shared, that spirit of “we can do this together” was everywhere.
The collection of unique brands and small businesses that Whitney curated at this year’s 20SDS ran the gamut of creative industries. Day three provided an opportunity for guests to be able to connect with the overwhelming amount of talent under one roof with business owners and their work displayed across the venue.
Rashaun Edwards is the owner and designer behind the lifestyle streetwear brand, Travail. His graphic tees and hats stand out from the crowd with their unique designs and soft hand touch. Rashaun creates a new collection each season for his brand that tells a different story. He proudly shared that he currently does the embroidery and screen printing, as well as his own custom labels for all of his merchandise.
If you’re looking for a delicious treat, Shonise McRae had you covered with her business Savory Sweets By Shonise. From chocolate chip cookie cupcakes to banana pudding mason jar sweet treats there was something for everyone. Starting as a Facebook business, Shonise grew her bakery business over the last five years into a steady venture. She shared that she loves to tell her customers that if they can dream it, she can bake it!
Whitney, a Winston-Salem native, shared that she hopes to continue to work to make the event even better than the year before and begin hosting it in other cities. She has seen firsthand the impact that 20 Somethings Doing Something has made and is motivated to see other creative communities benefit from the visibility and participation it offers to its young black entrepreneurs.
Events like Twenty Somethings Doing Something are pivotal to the continued growth and success of not only entrepreneurs here in the Piedmont Triad, but to the creative economy as a whole. If you’re interested in getting involved or learning more about future events you can email Whitney Daniel by visiting her website, snootyjudy.com for more information.
