At Hook, our commitment to fostering inclusivity in creative fields remains unwavering. It’s why we’ve developed initiatives like Sandbox to make creative careers more accessible for students in underrepresented communities, and why we invite speakers from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences in creating more equitable spaces. In our ongoing effort to amplify diverse voices, our Executive Design Director Mikell Fine Iles is broadening our resource list in his latest for Campaign US with a curated list of contemporary Black artists to watch (and hire).
Each artist brings a unique perspective, pushing the boundaries of their chosen medium and leaving a lasting mark on the creative sphere. Their contributions not only enrich the artistic landscape but also serve as inspiration for future generations.
Shining a light on the groundbreaking work of these artists across disciplines not only acknowledges their undeniable impact, but also offers a glimpse into the future they are helping forge.”
While his list is by no means exhaustive, it’s a good place to start when looking for contemporary Black artists and creatives to partner with on your next project:
- Geneva L White — Co-Founder of Scope of Work (SOW), a talent development agency for young BIPOC creatives that establishes equity in the creative industry
- Nu Goteh, Alice Grandoit-Šutka, and Marquise Stillwell — Founders of Deem Journal, a print and online platform focused on design as social practice
- Arthur Jafa — Artist, filmmaker and cinematographer
- Walter Hood — Professor and former chair of landscape architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, and principal of Hood Design Studio
- Temi Coker — Multidisciplinary visual artist and illustrator who has worked with Apple, Google, Adobe, HBO, The Oscars, Amazon, Footlocker, AT&T and many more
- Ari Melenciano — Artist, technologist, researcher, and theorist whose work reveals the synergy between computation, cultural metacognition, and transcendental expression
- Jacob Rochester — Multidisciplinary artist, painter, and illustrator who has worked with global brands like Nike and Netflix
- Handel Eugene — Haitian American multidisciplinary artist and animator whose work sits at the intersection of design, animation and storytelling
- Darryl Richardson — Photographer specializing in documentary portraiture and experimental filmmaking
By championing these individuals, we can unlock hidden paths to success for creativity as a whole.”
For more on these creatives and how they’re shaping the industry, read the full story here.