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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Indigenous Entrepreneurs

9.5

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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

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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.

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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

Due to the success of our first Creatives Indigenous Innovation Challenge, we are taking over and partnering with Creative Startups to host another one with the generous support of the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation.

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

Promo Graphic - Native Max Takeover: Creatives Indigenous Innovation Challenge 6 week accelerator program to build your creative business Logos: Native Max, Creative Startups, Thoma Foundation Photos of: Kelly Holmes and Alice Loy

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!
Promo Graphic with photo of Kelly Holmes - The graphic reads: Lead Teaching by Kelly Holmes

FAQs

Some frequently asked questions about our programs

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Timeline

Helping Indigenous Creatives

from the starting line to start-up status

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Pink Promotion Block for Startup Status course
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Host

Select from an array of accelerator programs for Creative Indigenous Entrepreneurs
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