Creatives Indigenous is a movement that aims to

Encourage

Financial independence allows Creative Indigenous Entrepreneurs to reclaim freedom and build wealth for not just themselves but also their families, communities, and nations.

Empower

Creatives Indigenous fosters indigenous entrepreneurs to continue their entrepreneurial journeys with full confidence in their abilities, skills and available resources.

Equip

Creative Indigenous Entrepreneurs are provided with the knowledge to build successful businesses independently and with the ability to benefit their respective communities.

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Monica Ament Interior Design

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Indigenous Entrepreneurs

9.5

Promoter Score

Our programs are six weeks and are all virtual, where participants attend weekly classes and take on a journey of learning the building blocks of entrepreneurship, from the starting line to start-up status.

Meet Your Team

Kelly Holmes

Lead Faculty

Kelly Holmes (Mnicoujou/Itazipco Lakota) is the founder and President of Native Max New Media, an award-winning global multimedia brand with a constellation of platforms and networks that expands indigenous talent across print, digital, web, mobile, video, events, e-commerce and partnerships. She's also the Lead Faculty of Creatives Indigenous.

Brenna Ortiz

Program Manager

A young Xicana woman born and raised in Dallas, Texas currently residing in Denver, CO. Graduated from the University of North Texas at Dallas with a BA focused in Sociology. Creative Writer for Native Max, Program Manager for C.I., and Social Media Director for Creative Startups.

Upcoming Programs

We're excited to partner with our friends at Kenneth King Foundation of Denver and Creative Startups on another program! The BIPOC Creatives Accelerator Program is open for enrollment. DEADLINE EXTENDED until September 11, 2023.

Details

We’ll be announcing our next program soon. Stay tuned!

Innovations Challenge

In the challenge, you’ll work and connect with world-class Native business mentors, collaborate with a cohort of like-minded Native creatives, and engage in an intensive, hands-on program.

The outcome? You’ll get the expertise to:

Hone in on a business idea
Make a sustainable business plan
Launch into new markets (local and worldwide)
Get the perfect pitch to raise financing
Find mission-aligned investors
Connect with a network of like-minded entrepreneurial experts and collaborator

Promo Image with photo of Kelly and a student. Graphic text reads: Helping Creative Indigenous Entrepreneurs from the starting line to start-up status

Kelly Holmes

This course is personally led by Native Max founder Kelly Holmes, and supported by Creative Startups, the only accelerator working globally with creators and creative entrepreneurs. Creative Indigenous Entrepreneurs who participate in our program can also personalize their learning journeys with coaching, 1:1 mentorships, group Q&A sessions, and more!