Logo

We had a conversation with three Black customers to learn more about their individual journeys, the mentors that helped them get to the place they are today, and their hopes and aspirations of the future for all of us.

       Karl Ferguson Jr.  

Karl is a believer in the philosophy that your job is to support your passion until your passion can fund your lifestyle. Karl has done just that: by balancing his day job with his passion for portrait photography. An easy look at his website will leave stunned by the sheer number of celebrities he's photographed in the entertainment industry. Karl's presence on the internet has enabled show off his work to an array of customers with ease. "One one of the best features offers is the dynamic method that allows me to move and drop pictures and change them in a flash of need," Karl says.

The community has played an important factor in Karl's growth in photography. The sharing of ideas among other Black photographers allows him to feel an underlying sense of community in an industry that can be lonely sometimes. Karl hopes to pay it forward within his professional life, to create the same kind of community for new photographers in the field. "Paying it forward means being accessible to others," Karl says. In sharing his knowledge and expertise, Karl hopes to help more creatives be the best that they could be.

If asked to what advice he would say to his younger self as a person just starting his photography career Karl's suggestion is: "Don't get so intense that you lose interest in taking pictures. Being patient and enjoying taking part in the process is perhaps the best thing you can do as photographer."

For more details about his work, head over his website. his website.

        Black In Corporate  

Ambassador and social media specialist Candace Marie is the founder of Black In Corporate, a community that champions Black employees in workplaces. The inspiration for Black In Corporate was born out of her own experiences in workplaces where racism is a major factor that has made it difficult for Black employees to achieve. "While Black In Corporate was birthed out of my personal experience," Candace says, "a major reason I decided to start the non-profit was because I was aware that there were numerous Black members of my community who's experiences were comparable, if not identical to my own."

One of the many foundations Black In Corporate stands on is the virtual Mentorship Program, which gives Black professionals with access to resources, opportunities, and collaboration. Black In Corporate's website has been pivotal in helping spread the word about this program to their intended audience. "While news media and social media are the primary drivers for website traffic, the stunning design mixed with the simplicity of the navigation on the site ensures that our customers are interested and returning," Candace says about the positive impact of their site.

The saying "it requires an entire village" especially rings true for Candace as she embarks on her path to launching Black In Corporate. The success of her venture has been made possible by the help of mentors, sponsors as well as friends and family who have supported her on her journey. Many ways, Candace is now offering the same assistance to Black professional. "This experience isn't easy enough doing it alone," she says. "Whenever I'm able to give some advice or even sit on a panel, or make an introduction to a potential friend, I'm committed to nurturing the other Black persons in this community."

Find out more information on Black In Corporate on their website.

       Elton Anderson Jr.  

In the past 14 years Elton Anderson Jr. worked as a photographer, shooting celebrities and some of the top brands in the world. He decided to pivot when he realized that the career he had previously been enthusiastic about wasn't as fulfilling. After experiencing a life-threatening case of malaria while traveling through Brazil, Elton vowed to devote his entire life in improving himself and others.

Today, Elton is doing just what he does every single day: In addition to seeking out new positions such as producer, creative director, and travel show host, Elton also launched Creators of Color which is a platform that tells the stories of Black creators in various fields.

For Elton, making these pivots are a necessary part of the creative process. The advice Elton gives young Black creatives looking to switch careers is to go with their gut. "If it's not a Hell Yes and it's not a No," Elton says. "This motto has made my numerous career transitions a lot more successful and true to my experience."

A creator such as Elton, who has multiple projects on his plate Digital marketing is a huge part in sharing his ongoing story. Elton's goal is to become an "Master Storyteller." Both websites and his social media accounts, allow him to do just that. "I treat my website as an opportunity for people to enter, have the time to sit down, and come to know me," Elton says. "My social media is where people can continue my journey at any time."

Learn more about Elton and his story on his website.