EXCLUSIVE: CreativeMornings is coming to Charlotte. Q&A with local leader Matt Olin.

What is CreativeMornings?

CreativeMornings is a monthly breakfast lecture series for Charlotte’s creative community. It is part of a community of more than 120 such chapters around the world.

Each CM gathering will feature an inspiring, 20-minute presentation by a creative Charlottean (the short talk is prompted by that month’s one-word global theme) and a great networking opportunity for creative folk spanning the full spectrum of disciplines, industries, backgrounds and professional levels.

In essence, CreativeMornings Charlotte will give our fast-growing creative set a place to call home – to gather each month to get inspired, support each other, forge relationships and collaborate. Every CreativeMornings gathering will be free of charge (thanks to the support of local sponsors and venues) and open to anyone to attend. You just have to register beforehand to reserve your spot. Fresh coffee and breakfast goodness is on us!

We will capture each month’s speaker on video, which will be added to the CM community’s growing online video archive. This will be a fantastic platform for showcasing Charlotte’s creative thinkers, makers and doers on a global level. To celebrate our city’s creative talent and show the world who we really are.

Why did you decide to start the Charlotte Chapter?

I have deep roots here and an unshakable love for this city and its creative spirit.

As a child, I discovered my creative spark inside the creaky rooms of the original Children’s Theater of Charlotte. As an adult, I produced some of my favorite theatre projects here. Now, I feel an unmistakable calling to give back to Charlotte and its creative community. To do something unique and additive to the awesome efforts of my big-thinking friends and colleagues on Charlotte’s cultural landscape.

I want CreativeMornings to help fortify our arts and culture scene and to further instigate those in and around it. I also want my daughter to grow up witnessing the immense impact that can be had on a community when you nurture its innate creativity.

What did you eat for Breakfast today?

Bay’s English Muffin, vanilla yogurt with honey, and a kiwi (with the skin on).

What should I expect and how should people get involved?

This all just became official this week, so there are plenty of decisions and details to be determined – venue, speakers, etc. But it will always be on the same Friday morning each month, 8:30-10am (if you need to start prepping your boss to let you attend, this should help).

Date of the first gathering is still TBD, but will be in either October or November.

You can expect a room brimming with the best creative energy you’ll feel any morning that month! The goal is to send you into your day/life with a surge of inspiration, lots of new connections + ideas + perspectives + ways of thinking, and a big smile on your face.

You can stay informed by signing up for the CreativeMornings Charlotte newsletter HERE.