Equity & Design
Join C/COCA (Central Ohio Creative Agency) for an intentionally designed leadership experience connecting Black and Brown creative professionals with racialized students navigating pathways into creative industries.
This is not a traditional panel. The event is structured to prioritize access, representation, and real conversation.
The evening begins with a series of fast-paced lightning talks from six creative professionals, each sharing their role, a barrier they’ve faced, and one piece of advice. From there, the space shifts into small-group, structured networking giving attendees direct access to professionals in a more personal, conversational setting.
Students will rotate between tables, engaging in focused 10-minute discussions asking questions, building connections, and gaining insight while receiving support and perspective in a time where access is being challenged and qualifications are too often questioned. Together, we’ll explore what it means to carve a path in an industry where identity can be treated as “bad for business,” and how to advocate for ourselves and for peers navigating similar barriers.
The environment is designed to feel welcoming, grounded, and intentional and the overall experience is intentionally fast-paced to maximize exposure, energy, and access in a short amount of time.
What to expect:
Real, unfiltered perspectives from working creatives
Direct access to professionals in small-group settings
A space centered on belonging, clarity, and opportunity
Meaningful connections and opportunities to expand your network
C/COCA exists to create access like this and to make it the norm, not the exception.
Event Flow Overview
Arrival & Welcome (4:00–4:30 PM)
Guests arrive, grab food, and settle in. The space is designed for casual connection before the program begins.
Opening (4:30–4:35 PM)
A brief welcome framing the purpose of the event, what C/COCA is, and how the experience will flow.
Lightning Talks (4:35–4:50 PM)
Six creative professionals deliver fast-paced, 2-minute talks sharing their background, a barrier they’ve faced, and one key piece of advice.
Transition & Instructions (4:50–5:00 PM)
Attendees refresh and receive clear guidance on how the structured networking will work.
Structured Networking (5:00–5:30 PM)
Students rotate between tables in small groups, engaging directly with professionals in three 10-minute rounds of conversation.
Closing (5:30–5:35 PM)
Final remarks, appreciation for participants, and an invitation to stay connected with C/COCA.
This format is designed to move quickly, prioritize access, and create meaningful, direct interaction between students and professionals.