Designing for Good.
“Let’s take a critical look at what ‘high-quality’ visual language & experiences mean.
We can change the perception of what constitutes a 'good' neighborhood with communal creative interactions—using tools like graphic design, murals, and just art in general to spotlight the beauty of areas and people who’ve historically been undervalued.”
— Me, all day. Every day.
featured work samples…
From public art design, event production, curation and consulting, I wield ART as a conduit for positive impact.
“I stay shouting from the rooftops how dope you are! You’re our not-so-secret graphic-designing/grant-writing, event-coordinating/ project-managing leader & I’m just glad to have you in my corner.”
—Tonika Lewis Johnson, social justice activist/artist
Press, Press, Press, Press, Press!
Curated by Janell Nelson, 60 Years After MLK’s Chicago March, ‘Fierce Urgency Of Now’ Exhibit Reflects On His Legacy
WGN news- 2025 Englewood Music Fest celebrates Homegrown Talent and Resilience-EAC Arts Village
Art as Restorative Justice: Supporting UnBlocked Englewood
The Englewood Arts Collective Is Transforming A Vacant South Shore Storefront Into An Artist’s Haven
Choose Chicago Commissions Local Artist Janell Nelson to design tourism cover
Creative Strategist, Thought-partner-meets-visual-solution-producer. ARTIST.
All that to say: I’m very good at leading the distillation and delivery of ideas, and am most vibrant in spaces where I can help teams communicate and build experiences.
Public Art producer. From sculpture concepts to project management of murals, I manifest magic with the community served.
Art Director with almost 20 years of graphic design experience in educational publishing and non-profit spaces.
Owner of JNJ Creative LLC, an award-winning micro-biz producing collateral & design concepts for philanthropic and public-serving entities.
Co-founder and Director of Activations & Engagement for Englewood Arts Collective, a dope lil’ group of professional artists from this south side Chicago neighborhood, working to reframe the narrative of what can be.
Model multitasker
Because we are the sum of our parts and then some, the formal work that I do is but a sliver of who I am—since my biggest role to-date is Mama. Curating Black boy joy on a daily basis and doing my part to shape a world where he can grow up safe and seen fuels most of my efforts.
photo credit: Buzz of VS Consulting
TL,DR:
In brief, catch me around town all up and through Chicago. I’ll be behind a laptop, at an arts activation, or commiserating and consulting with residents, local leaders and bureaucrats alike to advocate for and upend misperceptions of systemically misrepresented communities using the best skill I have at my disposal: creativity.
Hit me up and let’s see what’s possible.
Consultancy work & speaking engagements considered on a rolling basis.