EPISODE 3: WOMEN + CREATIVITY
Join us for a round table with Urban Koi, Andrea Arevalo, Robyn Young, Ráni Craft Robinson, and Lydia Billings as we discuss the experiences of navigating the world as both women and creatives - from the challenges, the perspectives, the joys, and everything in-between.
THE ROUND TABLE EXPLORES
As we began to think about a way to introduce this conversation, we realized - we couldn’t do it well. It’s one of hopefully many to come, and there will be threads started and pivoted and then revisited and then left open-ended as this is truly a conversation in and of itself - that discusses varying feelings and experiences of navigating the world as a woman.
It’s important to reflect here that this is not a monolith - this is a small group of voices that could not possibly represent the full experience for all women navigating the world. Whether you connect with one piece or many or none, we hope you feel seen in knowing that there are others navigating and trying to figure it all out, too.
And if you’re not a woman, we’re so glad you’re here as well, and we welcome you to the table for support, listening, contribution, and reflection. No matter how you identify, we believe all are welcome in these conversations. And we hope you each have your own round table where you feel seen, safe, and heard.
“What I love about this conversation is looking at so many amazing creative women in front of me who get to be those symbols of power, and that symbol of confidence. And these other younger ones, they are watching us. ”
MEET THE COLLECTIVE
ANDREA AREVALO. A freelance photographer, filmmaker, and art director based in Oakland, California. Andrea enjoys working with small businesses, non-profits, and brands to create bold visuals that help tell underrepresented stories in new ways. In her work she is drawn to themes of community, nostalgia, and everyday life in the form of portrait, still life, and documentary visuals. With extensive experience in the non-profit and social good sectors, she has worked with arts groups, individuals, startups, and international organizations to tell moving stories. This includes her work as full-time Art Director at the Grammy award-winning Brooklyn Youth Chorus, where she worked for nearly 5 years. She is a founding contributor of By And For, a San Francisco Bay Area BIPOC collective of photographers donating photographic services to local BIPOC businesses.Originally from Miami, FL, Andrea lived in Madrid and Brooklyn before moving to Oakland, CA. She speaks fluent English and Spanish, and basic Portuguese. Her clients include 100cameras, UN Women, United Nations, True & Co, Belcampo, and more, and her work has been seen in The Washington Post, and Photovogue Italia.
URBAN KOI. A creative director, photographer, scientist, aircraft pilot, and scuba diver. Guided by the mysteries of the universe, Koi can be found exploring with a camera in hand — documenting her adventures on Earth and beyond. When she is not traveling, she is studying as a future Doctor of Medicine. Born by curiosity and wistfulness, her visual stories interlace the enigmatic realms of health, travel, and space. As a Student of the Universe with her unique artistic lens rooted in the philosophy of life-long learning and discovery, Koi has established an international clientele with world-renowned brands. Koi is also a Co-leader on the 100cameras Board of Creatives and was selected as an independent photographer for NASA. Her clients include Apple, Chanel, Google, Montblanc, Prada, Nespresso and more.
RÁNI CRAFT ROBINSON. As a storyteller and a visual storyteller, Ráni brings over 18 years experience in the digital media space. She uses her writing, love for photography and video to bring the most exciting content to life. Her work has taken her across the world, producing and directing digital content in support of Travel Channel, TLC, HGTV, DIY Network and more. Throughout her career she’s developed, produced and supervised digital originals for Discovery’s owned and operated show sites, YouTube, Instagram’s IGTV and HGTV GO and TRVL GO app platforms. She developed and produced A Day in the Life and My Hometown with actor Brian Unger (of The Daily Show and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), exploring his home of Sherman Oaks, California among many other shows. In April 2018, Ráni executive produced the Award-winning short film ‘One Last Goodbye,’ with LMK Entertainment Group, which received awards in the 2019-2020 film festival circuit.
LYDIA BILLINGS. A photographer, photography teacher, and the COO of 100cameras. Committed to the notion that we all have a story to tell, Lydia is continually surprised by the truths that 100cameras students around the world express through their photographs. She says, “Creativity provides a distinct access to our inner vulnerability, to our humanity, and to what we think, feel, and want to say - even, and especially, when words fail.” Lydia lives in Queens, NY, and feels at home both in city life & wide open spaces. She can often be found attempting to read 5 books at a time and is continually testing the limits of human caffeine consumption. Lydia has helped build the organization to become a model that supports tens of thousands of youth worldwide and has helped lead partnerships with Apple, Fujifilm, Adobe, Framebridge, and more.
ROBYN YOUNG. A brand strategist, agency founder and speaker with a strong creative vision and penchant for pulling an authentic story to the surface. Robyn’s multifaceted experience includes 20 years of branding & marketing. Her professional journey is (as self-proclaimed) anything but linear and includes market research for top commercial brands like Nike and Target, copywriting for UCLA, brand management for influencers, branded content for Modern Luxury and Everyday Health, creative direction and styling for luxury brands, and more. Now, as the CEO and Head of Strategy for her agency, she applies her depths of experience to a diverse roster of clients. Robyn also mentors and has made numerous public speaking appearances for next-generation female founders, leadership teams, and employees.