The Family Room For The DMV’s Most Imaginative.

GRITS is not just a multidisciplinary creative studio. We also foster space for community and collaboration amongst Black and Brown creatives in Richmond, Virginia and beyond.

A Third Place for Underrepresented Creatives 🥣

A Third Place for Underrepresented Creatives 🥣

Collaborate, Play, Create.

Collaborate, Play, Create.

These gatherings are safe and intimate spaces that allow creativity and passion to flow with no bounds or competitive edge.

GRITS ON SUNDAY SESSIONS

These gatherings are safe and intimate spaces that allow creativity and passion to flow with no bounds or competitive edge.

The GRITS on Sunday Sessions, is the collective’s seminal collaborative sessions held every first and third Sunday of each month, inviting local DMV creatives to share stories and resources, host workshops, and build community.

(at times, we may even discuss whether sugar or salt belongs on grits).

OUR OTHER PROGRAMS

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PLAYDATES

Creative Social/Mentorship Series

Playdates are vibrant social events held once every season designed to blend learning, collaboration, and play. GRITS partners with local small businesses and entrepreneurs to elevate their customer experiences by offering our free creative content creation services. We recruit young, emerging talent to work these sessions  under the guidance of our creative production team in order to give authentic experience to young creatives in working with clients.

The concept is inspired by Jazzy Jeff Butler, a Baltimore fashion photographer who created “Playdays” in Baltimore, Maryland with the goal of bringing forth undiscovered talent in the creative industry.

  • Lead Director/Producer: Dee Ashanti

    Co-Director: Marquise Crockett

    Executive Producer/Creative Director:Tricia Evangelisto

    Head of Production: Quincy “Q” Coppage

    Producer: Victoria “V” Jones

    Assistant Director: Riqi Eman

    Lead Photographer: Brad Adjei

    Second Photographer: Jared Briggs

    Movement Director: Yamarie Kamara

    Writers: V. Jones, Riqi Eman, Quincy “Q” Coppage

    Cam Op: Will Roye

    Grip & Lighting: Alex DeBoard, Jermaine Dabney, Kobi McCray

    Set Designer: Tricia Evangelisto

    Lead Stylist: Erin Datoka

    MUA’s: Jatia Gregory, Melodee Joye

    Sound: Jackson Luck

    PA’s: Cameryn Turner, Teairriah Green, Ayanna S.

    Models: Tru Anderson, Emily Servin, Beloved Muhammed, Jaden Albuquerque

    Hospitality: Destiny Brown

    BTS: Jass Brown

    Digital Content Lead: SAAGE

  • 215 Attendees, 87% BIPOC (18-30)

VIEW ALBUM

THE TEA EXCHANGE

Community Led Workshop Series

These Interactive educational workshops are focused on providing ambitions and empowering self-made freelancers, artists, and entrepreneurs aged 18-30 in the creative industries business literacy, wellness, creative and A.I. upskilling.

Community led by the insights of other industry professionals of color in advertising, design, tech, and fashion in the DMV, these interactive workshops also give space for creatives to network and connect with one another.

  • Program Director/Curator: SAAGE

    Program Coordinator: Selam Hailu

    Talent Director: Antonio Knoxx

    Producer: Farheena Mustafa

    Community Manager: Marquise Crockett

  • 45 attendees, 73% BIPOC (18-30)

UNCUT GEMZ

Juneteenth Celebration

Uncut Gemz is a lively evening of cultural expression and connection held annually on Juneteenth Day. Our collective invites the community to celebrate black resilience and culture at Forest Hill Park. Attendees can enjoy catered plates and food trucks, live DJ sets, and enjoy a beautiful evening of dancing and celebration in community.

  • Program Coordinators: SAAGE, Cameryn Turner, Miles Hopkins

    Event Producer: Marquise Crockett

    Community Manager: Riqi Eman

  • 235 attendees, 92% BIPOC (18-30)

VIEW ALBUM
ALBUM

MADE YOU LOOK

In collaboration with DJ Nobe, Made you Look us a living DJ’d film series highlighting DJ talent from the 804 and DMV. These productions also cross as interactive social events that take place in public spaces around Richmond encouraging locals to enjoy music in unique and sometimes obscure places.

Our Collective creative directs each experience and curates the local music talent involved. The goal is to expand one's idea of the “social venue” and prove that with the power of music and good vibes, community can be fostered any and everywhere, no matter where you look.

  • Program Director/Curator: V. Jones

    Program Director/Curator: DJ Nobe

    Head of Production: Quincy “Q” Coppage

    Assistant Director/Producer: Alex Blvck

    Creative Director: Yamarie Kamara

    Production Manager: Marquise Crockett

    Digital Content Lead: Jass Brown

  • 115 attendees, 68% BIPOC (18-30)

EP1 // DJ NOBE
EP2 // ERTHTONE
EP3 // MARKUS GOLD

Live DJ Film Series

PLAYDATES

Event Series:

Playdates are vibrant social events held once every season designed to blend learning, collaboration, and play. GRITS partners with local small businesses and entrepreneurs to elevate their customer experiences by offering our free creative content creation services. We recruit young, emerging talent to work these sessions  under the guidance of our creative production team in order to give authentic experience to young creatives in working with clients.

Attendees will be able to witness and participate in this live shoot all while enjoying a live DJ set. These events provide a platform for young creatives to meet the other talent in the DMV.

The concept is inspired by Jazzy Jeff Butler, a Baltimore fashion photographer who created “Playdays” in Baltimore, Maryland with the goal of bringing forth undiscovered talent in the creative industry.

  • Program Director/Curator: Dee Ashanti

    Business Manager: Riqi Eman

    Head of Production Quincy Coppage

    Executive Producer/Photography Lead:Tricia Evangelisto

    Editorial Creative Director: Marquise Crockett

    Creative/Movement Director: Yamarie Kamara

    Writer: V. Jones

    Digital & Marketing Producer: SAAGE

  • 150 Attendees, 87% BIPOC (18-30)

THE TEA EXCHANGE

Community Led Workshop Series

These Interactive educational workshops are focused on providing ambitions and empowering self-made freelancers, artists, and entrepreneurs aged 18-30 in the creative industries business literacy, wellness, creative and A.I. upskilling.

Community led by the insights of other industry professionals of color in advertising, design, tech, and fashion in the DMV, these interactive workshops also give space for creatives to network and connect with one another.

  • Program Director/Curator: SAAGE

    Program Coordinator: Selam Hailu

    Talent Director: Antonio Knoxx

    Producer: Farheena Mustafa

    Community Manager: Marquise Crockett

  • 45 attendees, 73% BIPOC (18-30)

UNCUT GEMZ

Juneteenth Celebration

Uncut Gemz is a lively evening of cultural expression and connection held annually on Juneteenth Day. Our collective invites the community to celebrate black resilience and culture at Forest Hill Park. Attendees can enjoy catered plates and food trucks, live DJ sets, and enjoy a beautiful evening of dancing and celebration in community.

  • Program Coordinators: SAAGE, Cameryn Réchelle, Miles Hopkins

    Event Producer: Marquise Crockett

    Community Manager: Riqi Eman

  • 235 attendees, 92% BIPOC (18-30)

ALBUM

MADE YOU LOOK

Live DJ Film Series

In collaboration with DJ Nobe, Made you Look us a living DJ’d film series highlighting DJ talent from the 804 and DMV. These productions also cross as interactive social events that take place in public spaces around Richmond encouraging locals to enjoy music in unique and sometimes obscure places.

Our Collective creative directs each experience and curates the local music talent involved. The goal is to expand one's idea of the “social venue” and prove that with the power of music and good vibes, community can be fostered any and everywhere, no matter where you look.

  • Program Director/Curator: V. Jones

    Program Director/Curator: DJ Nobe

    Head of Production: Quincy “Q” Coppage

    Assistant Director/Producer: Alex Blvck

    Creative Director: Yamarie Kamara

    Production Manager: Marquise Crockett

    Digital Content Lead: Jass Brown

  • 115 attendees, 68% BIPOC (18-30)

ALBUM

To learn more about how you can get involved

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

In addition to providing recaps of the sessions, our blog highlights what we have cooking creatively, essential resources, engaging local events and workshops, music playlists, and much more. You are welcome to our table.

To learn more about how you can get involved

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

In addition to providing recaps of the sessions, our blog highlights what we have cooking creatively, essential resources, engaging local events and workshops, music playlists, and much more. You are welcome to our table.