Creative Career Summit

​Your creativity deserves strategy, funding, sustainable systems and room to grow.

​Join Pain to Power for an empowering day of hands-on workshops, music and community celebration created to help Black youth build sustainable careers in music, entertainment and the creative industries.

​Designed for Black youth ages 12–29, this in-person summit brings together experienced artists, entrepreneurs and wellness leaders to share practical knowledge you can use beyond the event.

​Workshops

​🎨 Artist Grants & Sustainable Artist Funding with Joy Lapps
Learn how independent artists can find funding opportunities and build more sustainable creative careers.

​✈️ Travel & Corporate Grants with Elle D’Lyon
Discover grants that can support travel, creative projects, professional development and career growth.

​🤖 Business Systems, AI & Entrepreneurship with Kareem Perez of Tech Effect
Explore practical systems and AI tools that can help you organize, grow and operate your creative work like a business.

​🧠 Wellness & Burnout Prevention with Dr. Patsy
Learn how to protect your wellbeing, manage burnout and build a creative career without sacrificing yourself in the process.

​More Than Workshops

​The day will also feature:

• ​An exclusive listening experience featuring songs created by Pain to Power artists

• ​Opening and closing violin performances by KaiTheeViolinist

• ​A recognition ceremony celebrating this year’s artists

• ​Opportunities to connect with creatives, facilitators and community leaders

​Come ready to learn, connect, celebrate and take your next creative step with more clarity and confidence.

​📅 Friday, October 9, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM–6:00 PM
📍 SoundCheck Youth Arts
1122 Castlefield Avenue, Toronto
🎟️ Free for Black youth ages 12–29

Funded by Ontario Trillium Foundation, in partnership with For Youth Initiative