While the creator economy landscape continues to evolve due to the ever-changing economy, creators can rest assured, as there’s one constant that remains — CultureCon. Since its inception, the festival has consistently served as a bastion of hope and community for Black and brown creatives worldwide, who seek to expand their networks and platforms. Throughout the years, the annual event’s programming has featured an illustrious roster of legendary names, including Michelle Obama, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, and many others. As this year’s CultureCon, October 4-5 in Brooklyn, NY, quickly approaches, their list of collaborations has significantly expanded, along with their programming, thanks to their latest partnership with Chase Ink, the presenting sponsor for the premier festival for creators of color. As part of the partnership, festivalgoers can expect over 100 cutting-edge panels covering topics such as entrepreneurship, AI, sports, and more.
For Imani Ellis, the founder and CEO of CultureCon, this alliance will offer an abundance of resources for the creator community for years to come, especially with the launch of the first-ever Founder Summit at this year’s gathering.
“Our partnership with Chase Ink represents a true alignment in values. This year, Chase Ink is not only presenting CultureCon as a whole, but also powering our first-ever Founder Summit that will equip our community with the resources they need to launch and scale their businesses,” Ellis said. “Additionally, the Chask Ink Small Business Market returns to CultureCon, inviting guests to shop local brands on-site. This partnership unlocks new possibilities — access to funding, financial literacy, and business tools that directly impact bottom lines. That kind of support has ripple effects: we’re talking about building generational wealth, creating jobs, and closing opportunity gaps in our community.”
While the Founder Summit is a new addition to this year’s programming, its purpose has always been embedded in the fabric of CultureCon — equipping creatives with the necessary resources to balance the creative and entrepreneurial aspects of their respective journeys, ultimately achieving maximum success. Ellis believes the summit will help provide the necessary support for creatives to achieve longevity, not only for themselves but also for their respective brands.
“At CultureCon, we believe creatives should honor both their artistry and their business acumen. Our commitment is to equip our community with the tools they need to help them scale their visions with confidence. With the launch of the Founder Summit, presented by Chase Ink, we’re empowering creatives to step into the business side of creativity, prioritizing financial education to sustain themselves and their brands. Creatives are not just shaping culture—they’re building sustainable legacies.”
While Ellis’s affinity for supporting marginalized creators is demonstrably evident, the same can be said for Chase Ink. According to Jenny Shum, General Manager of Chase Small Business Card, their involvement aligns with their goals of empowering and celebrating entrepreneurs.
“At Chase Ink, we champion the evolving spirit of entrepreneurship and creator culture, which is on full display at CultureCon. We are honored to serve as the 2025 presenting sponsor of this event, which unites creative visionaries and bold brands. This sponsorship is about more than presence; it’s about facilitating meaningful conversations in this community and providing support to the founders who are redefining what it means to be a business owner. Chase Ink empowers entrepreneurs with the services, tools, and insights they need to thrive, which will be on full display at our panel sessions, Chase Ink Marketplace featuring exciting brands at the two-day event.”
CultureCon may be an annual event, but the myriad of resources and advocacy for the creator community is year-round, according to Ellis.
“Although CultureCon is our tentpole event of the year, we support our community beyond the conference,” Ellis said. “Through grants, mentorship programs, workshops, free therapy offerings, and community care, CultureCon offers year-round opportunities to empower the next generation of creativity, and we’re excited to work alongside our partners to continue to bring these initiatives to life and create a sustainable and empowering ecosystem.”