“Keep creating, no matter what. So, use what you do in your personal time make it structured and professional, because it will translate to a career that’s awesome like this.”
Akai Shelise Jones is the Visual Digital Media Director for the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, where she blends creativity with purpose to tell powerful stories of change.
About
As the Visual Digital Media Director for the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, Akai Shelise Jones is a one-woman creative powerhouse managing storytelling, strategy, and communications across the entire state. With a background in foster care social work, Akai brings deep compassion to her role showcasing the humanity and potential in the youth and staff who make up DJJ.
Her days are anything but predictable. From documenting community graduations and capturing employee morale moments, to managing a full website migration and crafting digital campaigns, Akai does it all. She’s the creative force behind impactful internal and public-facing content, including the agency’s social media presence.
But her work goes beyond design it’s about visibility. “Getting the right stories out,” she says, especially those of staff who’ve served for decades or young people ready to transform their lives, is the heart of her mission. One of her most meaningful projects, a video following a formerly incarcerated teen touring South Carolina State University, earned thousands of views and even more community impact.
Akai’s advice to emerging creatives? Be bold, job shadow, and structure your personal creativity into professional frameworks. She urges young professionals to look past job titles, seek mentorship, and remember that every skill from TikTok videos to podcasting—has real-world value when refined with intention.
For Akai, this isn’t just a job, it’s purpose-driven communication. And in her lens, every youth deserves a new narrative.
“Each moment that you’re able to get up again and keep pushing, that’s success.”
Cynthia Ford is the Founder and CEO of Cynthia O Writing & Consulting, a South Carolina-based firm specializing in writing services, consulting, and speaking engagements. Her company focuses on three core areas; authoring inspirational literature, providing strategic business consulting, and delivering transformative speaking engagements
About
Cynthia Ford is a South Carolina-based writer, consultant, and founder of Cynthia O Writing and Consulting. After working for 15 years at the Department of Juvenile Justice and in education, she made the leap into full-time entrepreneurship in 2023. Her business includes grant writing, content development, social media management, and author services anchored by her deep love for literature.
Cynthia is also an artist-in-residence for literature and a published author with four books to her name. Each day looks different in her world, but her work always blends planning, creativity, and community connection. She sets aside time for writing, client meetings, content creation, and self-reflection, often starting her mornings outdoors or with a podcast.
One of the most meaningful moments in her career was launching her second book, Dream Like a Queen, through a collaboration with the Marion County Library. She hosted a tea party for young girls, complete with princess gowns, crafts, photo booths, and story time. That event helped children see the library as a magical space and brought literacy to life in a new way.
Cynthia encourages aspiring creatives to prepare thoughtfully before making big transitions. She’s learned to stay focused on her path, resist outside pressure, and build a foundation rooted in her strengths. Whether through consulting, writing, or workshops, Cynthia continues to grow a career that brings value to others and joy to herself. For her, success is not measured by accolades, but by impact and the courage to keep going, even when it’s hard.
“You know your worth, trust yourself and follow your path.”
Caletta Harris is the founder and owner of Reel2Real Productions, a video production company that has been transforming stories into powerful visual narratives for nearly 20 years. She is based in South Carolina and works nationally, blending creative passion with purpose-driven storytelling by using media to empower, educate, and amplify voices across South Carolina.
About
The powerhouse behind Reel2Real Productions is a woman with a camera and a mission. For nearly two decades, she has built a full-service video production company that thrives on diversity of stories, clients, and causes. Based in South Carolina, her work stretches far beyond its borders, but the state’s rich history and collaborative spirit have deeply shaped her creative journey.
Her most defining project came from a moment of action. After reading about Columbia City Council’s plan to address homelessness, she didn’t just sit back, she grabbed her camera. That impulse led to No Address, a powerful documentary series tackling the criminalization of homelessness, featuring stories from Columbia and Atlanta. The films, now streaming on Amazon and other platforms, sparked conversations in schools and inspired action in communities. As she puts it, “That has had the biggest impact on my life… I want to be part of the solution now.”
Balancing entrepreneurship and advocacy, she lives by a few guiding principles: meditate, protect your peace, and always follow your own path. “When you know your worth,” she says, “trust yourself.” Her story is a testament to what happens when creative passion meets purpose and never gives up. Caletta defines success through longevity and relationships. “My longest client has been with me for 15 years,” she shares, viewing trust and retention as the ultimate markers of success. Grounded in mindfulness, community connection, and creative authenticity, her work is both a business and a mission. “Take time to find your peace. Even five minutes of stillness can open the door to creativity,” she advises fellow artists navigating today’s fast-paced world.
“It’s just that when we’re conceptualizing art, we always think of it as something that has happened, but not something you can do in your own life, like in the current moment. So Don’t wait for permission. Just start working and start sharing.”
Evelyn Berry, poet and educator from Columbia, SC, uses her voice to champion authenticity and queer Southern storytelling. Through workshops, editing, and her acclaimed poetry, she inspires writers to embrace vulnerability and speak truth to power.
About
Evelyn Berry’s story is one of authenticity, resilience, and artistic devotion. A poet and editor raised in South Carolina, Evelyn began writing seriously at 16, publishing in local journals and never looking back. Today, she is the author of multiple poetry collections, including Grief Slut, and forthcoming Tea for Tea, Evelyn’s writing is deeply informed by her identity as a queer Southerner and her commitment to storytelling that uplifts marginalized voices. Beyond her books, she leads creative writing workshops for festivals, universities, and nonprofits, and works as a freelance editor and library communications strategist.
Evelyn’s writing is confessional and political, shaped by her experiences as a queer person in the South. “It’s impossible for pretty much anything I write not to be viewed by others as political,” she said. In a world where many discourage political storytelling, Evelyn insists on honoring the truths of lived experience. Evelyn’s work reflects a deep love for art and advocacy. As she shared, “All of our lives are very political,” and her writing unapologetically reflects that truth.
She emphasizes that success is “writing something that people respond to… that might change how they think or how they feel.” Her advice to aspiring artists is simple yet bold: “Don’t wait for permission. Just start making and start sharing.”
Through her books, mentorship, and community work, Evelyn creates space for voices often silenced. Her story is a reminder that art is both personal and communal and that creativity, when wielded with courage, can shift culture.
“I define success by being able to wake up and actually see my work impacting the lives of others.”
Desiree Williams is a licensed esthetician and educator. Desiree is turning creative passion into community impact, one lash, lesson, and life at a time.
About
For Desiree Williams, being a licensed esthetician isn’t just a job; it’s something she’s super passionate about, driven by creativity, mentorship, and resilience. Based in Columbia, South Carolina, she’s not only a certified esthetics instructor but also the founder of a growing beauty business specializing in master lash extensions. But her influence goes way beyond what happens in the salon.
Every night at 9 PM, Desiree hosts free lash classes on TikTok, giving guidance and support to aspiring beauty pros all over the country. With over 1,500 students under her belt, she sees success not in dollars, but in real transformations: “I’ve learned that my success is in helping people change their lives in a real, true way.”
Her journey hasn’t been a walk in the park. She started her business from home without any funding and faced a lupus diagnosis right when her career was taking off. Through it all, she learned how to create sustainable systems and find a healthy balance. “You don’t realize how much you’re pouring into something until you step back and look at the bigger picture,” she says.
Today, she credits South Carolina’s awesome support for micro-businesses, including the Columbia Business Office’s Next Level program, for helping her keep growing. Surrounded by local esthetics communities and entrepreneurial mixers, she’s built a vibe filled with support and opportunities.
“It’s a very fortunate blessing to find something in life that you like enough that you do it before you’re paid for it.”
Philip Mullen is a Painter and professor emeritus Philip Mullen reflects on decades of artmaking and mentoring and why South Carolina and a bathtub shaped his creative life.
About
Philip Mullen is a well-known painter and a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of South Carolina. For over fifty years, he’s poured his energy into large-scale acrylic painting, mentoring others, and staying true to his artistic vision. His awesome studio in Columbia even got a shoutout in The Artist Magazine. He’s had major shows in New York and participated in the prestigious Whitney Biennial. Throughout his journey in the art world, Mullen has shown both resilience and style.
Mullen opens up about the unique challenges and quirks of keeping an artistic practice going for life. He talks about stuff like making custom racks for his big canvases, learning to fix elevators in Andy Warhol’s old studio, and how he juggles teaching with showcasing his art. “To be an artist, you’ve got to have it in one seat. You’ve got to have a big ego … But myself, like most artists I know, have very fragile egos.”
During his 31 years at USC, Mullen created a hands-on course called The Artist Experience. This class lets students dive into practical learning by visiting studios, firing pottery, and getting up close with Degas sculptures.
Even though he faced some early doubts, especially from his own family, Mullen built a career based on passion rather than prestige. “In a way, to me, the success has to do with putting together a life in which I could spend a lot of time making paintings,” he explains. In this heartfelt conversation, he reflects on the joy of being creative, the need to keep that creativity going over time, and why Columbia, South Carolina, is such a big part of his artistic journey.
“The more you push yourself out of your comfort zone and out of the box you’re used to, the more confident you get.”
Tori Hord is an Associate Professor of Graphic Design at Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C. She grew up in Loris, S.C., and earned her bachelors in graphic design at Coastal Carolina University. She continued her graphic design with a Master of Graphic Design M.G.D. at North Carolina State University.
Interview
Transcript
Tori Hord
My name is Tori Hord. I am from Loris, South Carolina, so very close to Coastal [Carolina University], like 30-ish minutes. And I currently teach graphic design at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Emma Plutnicki
So how long have you been working there?
Tori Hord
Seven years.
Emma Plutnicki
Wow. Amazing. And your official job title, would that just be graphic design teacher?
Tori Hord
Associate Professor of Graphic Design.
Emma Plutnicki
Amazing. So how did you get into that? How did you find that job? And how did you just end up in that field overall?
Tori Hord
That’s an interesting, so I started when I started Coastal. I went to undergrad there, I started as a biology major. About a semester or two semesters in, I decided to switch my major to graphic design without telling any of my family and made them all have a small heart attack when they found out.
Emma Plutnicki
Oh my gosh.
Tori Hord
But it’s always something that I’ve loved. So it was a really good change for me. And from there, I just, I was just very passionate about it. And when I graduated, I got a job in the field. And I worked there for a couple years and then decided that I wanted to pursue my masters in graphic design. So I went and got a masters in graphic design from NC State. And then when I graduated from NC State, there were, y’know, lots of applying to jobs, and I landed here in Fayetteville at Methodist University.
Emma Plutnicki
Amazing. So what made you switch from biology to graphic arts? Was it more hating biology? Or was it more a passion for graphic arts?
Tori Hord
It was more passion for sure. Always loved it growing up, but just never considered or thought of it as a turning something I loved into the career. And once I figured out that I could do that, I was like, “Absolutely. Let’s do this.”
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah. More fun, probably. So can you walk us through a typical work day? Like, what’s expected of you, what your work process looks like, what kind of things you work on?
Tori Hord
Yes, absolutely. So for me, I think being, teaching design and being a professor, you kind of get the best of both worlds. So my initial attraction to teaching it, you know, other than just loving the subject and wanting to share more was that it has a great schedule. You have time for, you know, it’s a great work life balance for the most part. And that also gives you lots of time to continue to work in the field, which I was adamant about not stopping, I didn’t want to stop my design career to teach, I wanted something that would allow me to do both. And that’s what the shop does, which I love it, you get a great schedule, you get a, you know, it’s a steady, it’s not like you’re freelancing all the time, it’s a steady income. Day to day, it depends on what classes I have offered, but I teach anywhere from two to three, like studio length classes a day. So I’m in the art building, in the studio, working with students. And then when I’m not teaching I’m in my office, you know, doing housekeeping things and preparing and also working on my own work.
Tori Hord
Amazing. So the classes that you teach, are those different levels of graphic designer, or do they have specialties within them?
Tori Hord
Yes, I teach at all levels. So I teach the freshmen their first semester, on up to the seniors in their last semester. And everything in between. So I see a little bit of all of them all the time.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah, that’s great. So can you describe a defining moment in your, like, creative journey so far? So maybe it’s a specific project that really showcased your creativity or had a significant impact on you?
Tori Hord
The one, this is ironic, but the one that really comes to mind as being most memorable for me was actually at Coastal at the Athenaeum Press.
Emma Plutnicki
Oh, really?
Tori Hord
Yes, we worked on the Gullah Geechee project. And there was, we traveled out to these different places and took photographs and did interviews and then the project itself won an Addy Award at the end. So it was kind of like a, a quintessential moment for me. I was like, “this is actually going to work. This is neat. We’re getting recognition for work that me and my friends have, you know, kind of poured our hearts into.” So that was a big moment for me.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah, I’ve seen that work. It was great. So I’m sure that was a really fun time to work on. So do you think this career path is challenging? What challenges have you faced and how have you been able to kind of overcome those challenges? Because being in a creative career as a whole is pretty challenging, but how have you kind of worked through this?
Tori Hord
It is, I would say it was challenging. And it’s um, it’s like with anything you do, the more you do it, the more you push yourself out of your comfort zone and out of the box that you’re used to, the more confident you get in it. I do remember my first year teaching anything, I was terrified, right? I’m standing up in front of this group of people. And you’re suddenly faced with like, “I know nothing,” right? “I am not qualified to do this, I should not be here. Why did these people give me a job.” But the more you do it, you realize, “okay, I’m equipped, I have the knowledge, I’ve done the education, I have a passion for it.” So for me, it really was just making sure I was getting out of my comfort zone, and putting in the effort… and it was fantastic. But the more I was in those classrooms with the students and got to know them, and saw their excitement for it, everything just came together.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah, that’s amazing. So within your specific field, can you think of any skills that you possess that helped you land that role, or any skills that you think an applicant should have to increase their chances of getting that role? I know, like you’re in teaching, so is there any like connection with teaching that you had to help you or was your skill in graphic design, like the driving force to lead you to teaching, or just in general, like any skills that helped you?
Tori Hord
Obviously, to be able to teach art or graphic design or anything, you have to have a certain level of knowledge, but especially for art design, you also have to have a certain level of skill, right, you have to be able to get to that point. So a portfolio is still a big part of this job, even though it’s not a, the focus is not necessarily all design, you know, work all the time, you still have to have a great portfolio, you still have to make sure that you’re paying attention to the detail, because it matters when getting these roles. And I think the other part of it is, is communication, being able to talk about what you want from that job, but also be able to talk about your work in ways that ties it in to people that might not necessarily be in your field. Which is a great skill for designers have anyway, because there’s lots of contact with people outside of the art world. So being able to communicate those ideas and your thoughts and passions to those people is really important, too.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah. It’s a very important skill. And so, you studied in South Carolina, and now working in North Carolina. Are there any like organizations or programs or events that you recommend for people who are trying to get into that field? Is there any like conferences you went to that helped you network to figure out, like, gain more connections within the creative world or anything like that in the area?
Tori Hord
Yeah, I’m a big supporter of AIGA [the Professional Association for Design] I’ve been a member of AIGA since I was an undergrad, and continued that. But more so than that, I found a lot of helpful was these kind of like open houses for different schools. So when I was pursuing my master’s or thinking about going to get my graduate degree, I looked into these different kind of open houses, kind of meet and greets. And I met a lot of really great people and lots of great networking opportunities just from doing that. And that had no ties to it. You didn’t have to, no commitments, you’re just kind of going and exploring and learning about what your options are.
Emma Plutnicki
That makes sense. So AIGA, you said?
Tori Hord
Yes.
Emma Plutnicki
What does that stand for, do you know?
Tori Hord
American Institute of Graphic Arts.
Emma Plutnicki
Okay, awesome. I’m sure a lot of people know that. I didn’t know. That’s amazing.
Tori Hord
The chapter here is in Raleigh, the closest one. But a lot of universities have like local student chapters. I know Coastal used to have one, whenever I was there. And we have one here. It’s just a great opportunity for professionals and students to kind of connect.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah, that’s amazing. So great. Thanks for saying all this. This is such an interesting field. I’m sure you have fun with it every day. But just as we wrap up, do you have any advice for current college students or just people who are looking to get into these fields in creative professions?
Tori Hord
Follow what you’re passionate in. That was a big thing for me. So I went along with, like I said, the biology doing what I thought I was supposed to do, and what, you know, everyone was like, “Oh, you’d be great, at you know, XYZ, you’d be a great doctor, you’d be great at this.” And in the back of my mind, there was always something like, “Maybe but I don’t know that I want it.” And just listening to that little voice, and you know, going after what you do want, regardless of what other people might think which, I mean is, you know, life anyway right?
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah. No, that’s great advice. I definitely need to listen to that too.
“Everyone’s got their own journey, and you have to find your way. I would never discourage anyone from a journey in the applied arts or the creative arts if they have the drive and the will to do it. Because that’s the biggest part of it: just being disciplined.”
Marius Valdes is an artist, illustrator, and professor of Studio Art teaching graphic design and illustration at the University of South Carolina. Valdes received his BFA in graphic design from the University of Georgia (UGA) and his MFA in visual communication from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Valdes is originally from Charleston and lives in Columbia.
About
“Being a professional creative is not for the weak of heart,” said Valdes. “You need to be patient and persistent.” He recalled the first time, as a college student, that he told his father he wanted to major in art. “I remember driving with my dad and telling him, ‘I think I’m going to be an art major.’ I was waiting for him to say, ‘What are you thinking?!’ but he just said to me, ‘Well, if you do something that you love, you’ll never really work.’ And I feel like that. I do work, but I work on things I care about. And that, to me, is one of the most important things.”
Valdes didn’t set out to be a university professor. After graduating from the University of Georgia (UGA), he worked as a graphic designer for several years and allowed his creativity to determine his next step.
“I was exploring illustration and enjoying it more than graphic design. I wasn’t very good about talking about my work, and I thought grad school would help with that, as well as allowing me to refocus my work and make myself more marketable,” said Valdes. Valdes earned a scholarship for his MFA at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and part of that scholarship included teaching a class.
“I just loved it,” said Valdes. “I found that even though some of the students were in some ways more talented than I was, I knew more than them because I’d been doing it as a professional, and I really enjoyed it.”
In addition to teaching, Valdes works as an artist creating work for area organizations. “The past couple years I’ve been working with the Medical University of South Carolina children’s hospitals,” said Valdes. “I created some murals for them, created some kids’ activities books for therapists to use, and that’s been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. One day, a man I work with came up and said, ‘My kid is obsessed with your frog mural. It’s made a real difference.’ So it’s sad because seeing that mural means you have a sick kid, but it’s also rewarding to know it had an impact.”
“When you live with this experience of being the one dealing with this inaccessible content for over 30 years, you recognize what the issues are. And you have the skills to articulate the issues, you’re kind of in a position where if that’s something you’re interested in, that path sort of finds you automatically.”
Sarah Massengale is an alumnus of Converse University and the University of South Carolina. She holds a public relations and music degree. At the time of the interview, she was the community access specialist at Able South Carolina, but she is currently a Web Accessibility Auditor at McGraw Hill.
About
Sarah Massengale, a native of Barnwell, South Carolina, began her career in the music world after graduating from Converse University performing opera. However, she soon realized the limited opportunities for a music career in South Carolina, particularly for individuals with disabilities.
This realization sparked a fire within her, leading her to return to school and earn a degree in public relations from the University of South Carolina (USC). Throughout this journey, Massengale’s frustrations with inaccessible web content, an issue she has faced for most of her life, began to fester, fueling her passion for advocacy. Massengale recognized that inaccessible web content worked within the parameters of her public relations degree, and she soon took on the role of facilitator in her training and in her time working with a student-led public relations agency at USC, furthering her way to her current career. Eventually, during the pandemic, Massengale received a job with Able South Carolina, a disability-led organization working to create change within systems, communities, and individuals to be more inclusive of all people with disabilities.
Massengale’s typical workday changes daily based on her responsibilities of facilitating training on digital accessibility, creating accessibility content, and conducting digital accessibility audits on websites and web platforms. Though Massengale mentions the challenges in trying to reach clients to get them on board with having digital accessibility, and even still to this day, Massengale herself, outside of work, faces inaccessible content, she is most inspired by her impactful work with the South Carolina Arts Commission to continue working to make change.
From Massengale’s experience leading to her career path as a Community Access Specialist and her work with Able South Carolina, she offers advice to up-and-coming creatives interested in entering this career path and the next generation of creatives. “Do not let anyone, whether it be an academic institution, family, non-disabled peers, state agencies, or whoever, do not let anyone dictate your career path, and do not let anyone tell you that you cannot do your career path.”
“If you ever start to feel inadequate at what you’re doing, don’t let that stop you.”
Whitney McDonald is the Theatre Operator for the Amentum Center of Performing Arts and the Aiken Community Theatre in Aiken, S.C. She acts as a liaison between the city and the theater, runs the box office, and handles communications for the theater.
About
Whitney McDonald formerly worked in retail and banking, acting at the Aiken Community Theatre as a hobby. When the previous theatre operator announced her retirement, McDonald decided to apply. “I had been a part of the theater for a long time,” she says. “I always thought to myself, ‘Man, if she ever retired, it would be really great to have her position.’”
McDonald got a job offer two weeks after her interview. “It just worked out,” she says. “I knew everyone in the theater anyway, but I’ve always been a performer. I’ve always been on stage, I’ve done a little bit backstage. But I didn’t ever really realize how much goes on behind the scenes to run a theater.”
McDonald starts her day at 8 a.m., when she checks her email and voicemail, and makes sure everything in the theater itself is ready for production. Because she works for both the theatre and the city, she handles communication and manages the box office. “It kind of just depends on what’s going on that week. There’s always something different to do every day.”
McDonald says that every theater’s administration is different from being on stage, and each venue requires something different from its theatre operator. “Having a background in some sort of administration would help,” she says. “I didn’t have a whole lot of that.”
She also says students would need to be okay with working by themselves most days, and that they should work on their customer service skills. “You are the face of the box office,” she says. “When people call in, they expect to speak to you, and you want to be able to help them as best you can.”
McDonald suggests that people interested in working in theater should start by getting involved in local workshops and attending local auditions. “That’s how I got into it,” she said, crediting a lot of her success to the connections she made while acting. Finally, she advises students to be bold. “If you ever start to feel inadequate at what you’re doing, don’t let that stop you.”
