How She Got Here: Duanecia Evans Clark, Co-Founder of The Creative Summer Company

Mrs. Duanecia Evans Clark is here for the people. I’ve long admired her presence on social media for her ability to be thoughtful, passionate, and creative with her posts along with the content she shares to her followers. She’s unapologetically raw in her truth and vulnerability whether she’s discussing how she is healing, celebrating her journey in grad school, or giving us all the Black love vibes as a newlywed.In 2020 she became an entrepreneur when she co-founded her business The Creative Summer Company, a creative services agency that empowers mission consistent, Black-owned brands and businesses. “The Creative Summer Company leverages quality strategy, content, design, and research to close the competitive gap between Black-owned businesses and their competitors.” As a Chief Brand Strategist of The Creative Summer Company she works with Black businesses to transition their goals from vision to reality by lending her longtime expertise in education, community, and empowerment. In addition to her work as a Brand Strategist she serves on the Chief of Staff on Teach For America’s DC regional team, is a 2020 Pahara Institute NextGen fellow, and is pursuing her master’s degree in Education Policy and Management at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. I was very happy to virtually chat with her and discuss her longtime achievements in education and the process of opening her businesses during this crazy year.

Tell us about yourself and what you are passionate about?

 My name is Duanecia Evans Clark. I was born and raised in Harlem, New York. Harlem, a location, a culture, an orientation, and a way of being both created and made space for the framework by which I approach my life and my career. We are a space that always lived out the beauty of Blackness, Black joy, and evolution. In this year, the 100th Anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance, I am incredibly reflective of how my birthplace has shaped me as a woman and a creative. These characteristics are true of the many places and people I've called home. Including Bridgeport, Connecticut who also had a huge part in my nurturing. I entered my career in education through the graces of members of the Bridgeport community who allowed me to both learn and lead. I currently reside in Alexandria, Virginia where my husband and I are braving a pandemic together and learning new ways of being. If not made obvious, I am passionate about community and people.

 What inspired your lifelong passion for education?

 I'm not sure that I would describe my work in education as a passion. Education as a sector is life's work necessitated by my own lived experiences. Teachers made my experiences with schooling either better or worse. Institutions that distribute education allowed me to understand the complexity of intent versus impact. Education more holistically has happened for me in boardrooms and in living rooms. I've continued to see it as the work of my career to bridge the gaps that society attempts to draw between what types of education are valuable and who is worthy of receiving them. I am currently studying at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education and learning alongside many leaders whose approach and frame of reference for education can be worlds away from each other. I believe exposure is an incredible responsibility for those of us seeking to make the world a better place through what people know and how they know it.

Amongst the challenges of the pandemic you are also continuing your pursuit of higher education, how have you adapted to the changing educational landscape?

 I lead in education management at a non-profit organization incredibly resourced to be able to navigate the ebbs and flows of the current moment. This reality is not meant to imply that we aren't facing our own sets of challenges but we certainly have the privilege to take the space and reflect on it. Many of those in direct service work, namely teachers, administrations, and other instructional leaders have had to build this ship as they are sailing it. I believe that bringing attention to the issues that directly impact leaders in school buildings and classrooms is of the utmost importance. I challenge everyone reading to make space for an educator and figure out how you can help them navigate this moment.

You recently co-founded The Creative Summer Company, how have you navigated working with creatives during a time when virtual burnout has been on high? 

 Many of us are leveraging creativity as an outlet to cope with the pandemic. It has been an honor to make space for creativity and take some of it for my own healing.

Bringing a person's vision to life is no easy feat, what are three tips you would suggest for working with potential clients?

 Approach client work with a growth mindset. As we engage with clients we have as much to learn as we do to teach. It's important to set the stage for shared learning while aggressively working to get the best possible outcome. It's a give and take.

How did you begin your work as a brand strategist and what is a vital lesson you have learned throughout your career?

 In 2014, I took on my first brand client by accident. I had tremendous communications experience and helped a friend who was launching a new initiative through her non-profit organization. From there I slowly began to learn more about the field, educate myself, and have largely navigated the space by being referred from one client to the next. I don't believe there has been a sole "vital lesson" but one that has felt incredibly important is to continue to build strong, dependable, relationships.

You have created social impacted strategies for local and national brands, what factors determine the types of brands you choose to work with?

We believe that mission consistency is most important. There are a number of factors that fold into whether or not we are the right fit for a particular client. One of the most important is that the theory they're pursuing is easily attached to the work they're willing to put in.

How have you practiced self-care this year?

Taking space for myself has proven to be the most important. Can't pour from an empty cup. I am not perfect at this yet, but it is something that stands out as the one thing to bring me the most satisfaction. 

Who or what has served as a creative inspiration for you professionally or personally? Why?

 I'm continuously inspired by Black women, collectively. In a world of compounded marginalization, we continue to manifest beauty and brilliance.

 What can we look forward to from The Creative Summer Company in the future?

 Strong Black brands. We are excited for what's to come for our clients and the culture more holistically.