Creatives in Color is a curated speaker series highlighting BIPOC creatives in the Indy community.
People of color have long been overlooked in design and other creative spaces. Creatives in Color was created to celebrate BIPOC talent in hopes to offer a sense of belonging and community through transparency and inclusivity.
In May 2025, we were invited to the Conversation Piece Podcast hosted by Patrick Armstrong to discuss the ways we are working to build and support an inclusive creative community in Indianapolis.
Watch the video below to learn more about Creatives in Color and its impact so far.
Why Creatives in Color?
From our perspective, the Indy creative community lacks BIPOC representation. However, we know diverse creatives are out there, and we want to provide a safe space for all creatives to gather and share their experiences (similar or different). By curating a space where people can come together and spark healthy dialogue, we hope to make the Indy community more diverse and inclusive.
Creatives in Color 2025
Creatives in Color 2025 will see the continuation of our Variety’s Actors on Actors inspired format, Creatives on Creatives. Below are the featured speakers and the dates for each talk:
Amiah Mims is a dynamic designer, painter, and muralist who graduated from Kent State University in 2015 with a major in Visual Communication Design. A former KSU collegiate gymnast and MAC Champion, she transitioned from her role as a Graphic Designer at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to pursue her artistic passions through her own company, Works By Mimsy LLC. Her versatile style focuses on the human form and emotional expression, with notable works including the Indy BLM Street Mural (2020), exhibitions at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, her solo show “The Minutiae” at the Harrison Center (2023), and recent projects for the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials (2024).
Adrian Gazcón is an artist based in Indiana. Through the experimentation of various styles, he primarily works with acrylic and oil paint. His artwork explores the layered complexities of self-discovery, growth, and cultural heritage through the perspective of a Chicano artist raised in the Midwest. Rooted in influences ranging from surrealism to post-impressionism, his work draws from personal experiences and cultural identity. Using vibrant, bold colors, intentional mark-making, and surrealistic concepts, Gazcón carves new pathways in his ongoing artistic journey.
Jingo M. de la Rosa is a commercial illustrator, art educator, community artist, and urban sketcher. He has created art for renowned organizations such as the NBA, the NCAA, ‘47 Brand Apparel, The Houston Symphony, and Sakura of America. Jingo has helped lead initiatives such as CreativeMornings and Urban Sketchers, where he seeks to cultivate his city’s creative community. He has also taught drawing and illustration for both Herron School of Art & Design and Butler University. Jingo is a native of Manila, Philippines; but now calls Indianapolis his home.
Duncan Alney is a seasoned marketing strategist with over 30 years of experience and founder of Firebelly Marketing, a trusted agency specializing in food and beverage brands. He hosts The Firebelly Social Show, now in its fifth season with over 175 episodes featuring honest conversations with food and beverage entrepreneurs. Duncan also founded Brown Warrior, a tea startup, and runs the Agency Leadership Council, a mastermind group for agency owners. His journey began with a $50 bill and a one-way ticket to America, funding his education through scholarships and completing a self-designed research project across 34 states. When not building brands or mentoring founders, he enjoys cooking, spinning vinyl on his Technics 1200s, and has traveled to all 50 U.S. states.
Deonna Weatherly is an Indiana-based award-winning director and cinematographer with a Masters in Media and specialization in narrative storytelling. Her video and film works explore themes of race, gender, and sexuality through narrative fiction and documentary-style projects. In 2021, she founded Weatherhouse Company, a production company focused on providing safe spaces for women and people of color while creating visual projects and building community. Her passion for youth and filmmaking led to the creation of Weatherhouse Institute in 2022, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides hands-on film industry experience for high school students and young adults around Indianapolis. In June 2024, Weatherly launched the inaugural Indiana Youth Film Festival, offering Indiana-based youth ages 12-24 a professional platform to showcase their work.
Phyllicia Carr is a self-taught painter, photographer, and graphic designer who earned a B.A. in Communication from North Carolina A&T State University in 2011. Her artistic approach blends realistic portraits with abstract collaged elements, using nature and vibrant colors to explore themes of spiritual identity, vulnerability, and healing, particularly focusing on women and marginalized communities. Her work has been exhibited nationally in Indianapolis, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, with notable clients including the Indiana State House, JP Morgan Chase, and the Indianapolis Arts Council. In 2022, she expanded into public art with murals at IU Ball Memorial Hospital, Connor Prairie, and as an apprentice on the 6-story Bicentennial Legends Mural at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Recent projects include murals for NBA All Star weekend 2024 and the Nickel Plate Trail in Fishers. She actively participates in artist panels and was awarded a 2024 grant through the On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Cohort.
Born in Honduras, Madeline Lopez blends creativity, culture, and strategy in her work. She earned a Visual Communication degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2021, where she developed a passion for research-driven design.
Now a designer at Pivot Brands, an Indianapolis-based agency specializing in branding and campaigns, she previously worked at WestComm Marketing, Studio Science, and Codo Design. Madeline brings curiosity, collaboration, and purpose to every project, shaping meaningful visual identities.
Brionna Brown & Olivia West – November, TBD
Past Speakers
Want to checkout the speakers from previous years? click on the links below!
Interested in helping us amplify diverse voices in design?
We’re seeking sponsors for this year’s Creatives in Color speaker series, a transformative program running July through November, that showcases exceptional BIPOC creatives and provides crucial networking and professional development opportunities for our community.
Choose from 4 sponsorship levels, each offering unique brand visibility and community engagement benefits. In-kind partnerships are also welcome.
By partnering with us, you’ll directly support career advancement for underrepresented designers while demonstrating your commitment to equity and inclusion in the creative industry. Your sponsorship creates lasting impact—from mentorship opportunities to portfolio development workshops that launch careers.
