Kate Houlihan

Our next talk will be Friday 2/26 with Kobla Tetey on the theme of DIVERGENT. See all the directions it takes us with the hashtags #CMdivergent & #CMATX. 

Special thanks for the ongoing support of our beverage partner Cuvee Coffee. 

We’ll be coming together virtually, so registered attendees will receive a zoom link via email. Registration is open now. Details here. 

🧡❄️ Help local families hit hardest by our winter weather ❄️🧡

Kobla has been helping spread the word that The Black Leaders Collective is soliciting funds to provide 16,800 meals to families in need, locally - donate at bit.ly/BlackCommunityDisasterFund

Also, the Austin Area Urban League is collecting donations with a wider focus on shelter, clothing, water, and food - donate at aaul.org.

Our global theme for February is DIVERGENT. It was chosen by our Valencia chapter, illustrated by Núria Tamarit, and is presented by our global partner Hey (from Basecamp). 
See all the directions it takes us with the hashtags #CMdivergent & #CMATX

Technologist, author, and designer John Maeda explains, “A divergent thinker takes an idea and expands it. They look for new ways to connect it with other diverse things […] I’m in favor of a synthesis to connect the convergent and divergent.”

As creators, builders, and thinkers, how can we get better at solving complex problems? A promising starting point is for us to be in the same spaces with those we’ve traditionally deemed different.

Moments of divergence can create beautiful futures when we are willing to leave space for change. Take a step back to reflect on what winds of change you want to welcome into your life today.

Our next talk will be Friday 1/29 with Kara Perez of Bravely Go on the theme of PROMISE.


Say thanks to our partner this month: Wunderman Thompson. And special thanks for the ongoing support of our beverage partner: Cuvée Coffee.

We’ll be coming together virtually, so registered attendees will receive a zoom link via email. Registration is open now. Details here.

Please promise to use the hashtags #CMpromise & CMATX

Our global theme for January is PROMISE. It was chosen by our Tirana chapter and was illustrated by Jolin Matraku. 

Please promise to use the hashtags #CMpromise & #CMATX.

A promise is doing something “because I said I would.” Promises can come in all shades, depths, and forms: appointments, acts of kindness, creating and quitting habits, agreements, and resolutions. Thanks to life’s unpredictability, we make and break them all the time.

But what is the value and impact of being individuals of our word?

In the Albanian culture, the word “Besa” means a code of honor and faithfulness. It exceeds the meaning of merely keeping a promise, thus becoming mythologized in its divinity as a solemn oath.

Promises that are made and kept are exchanges of power

We invite you to make and keep one promise to yourself and one promise to others this year. When applied towards positive impact, even the smallest fulfilled promises can create meaningful ripples of change.

Our next talk will be Friday 12/11 with Juli Berwald on the theme of BIOPHILIA. 

We’ll be coming together virtually, so registered attendees will receive a zoom link via email. Registration is open now. Register early and look for a follow up email to get this year’s #CMATX ornament! 

Share your love for all livings things with the hashtags #CMbiophilia & #CMATX

Special thanks for the ongoing support of our beverage partner, Cuvee Coffee.

Our global theme for December is BIOPHILIA. It was chosen by our Dusseldorf chapter, illustrated by Lara Paulussen, and is presented by our newest Global Partner Skillshare! 

Share your love for all livings things with the hashtags #CMbiophilia & #CMATX

Commune with nature.  Bring the outdoors in.

Coined in the 1960s by Erich Fromm, “biophilia” refers to a beautiful idea: Whether it’s a human, an animal, a plant, or in the wild, humans have an innate desire and instinct to want to connect with nature and other living systems.

The increasing hum of busy neighborhoods and cities, heavy traffic, and superficial reading on our devices can numb our natural senses. However, even in the most urban environments, we express our biophilia by placing a newly potted plant in the corner or allowing greenery to grow organically up concrete walls.

Every day, we have the opportunity to grow into relentless stewards and protectors of our living environments, and not just lovers and beneficiaries of it all. Together, we exist. CreativeMornings/Buffalo speaker Missy Singer DuMars aptly said, “The nature around us is the nature within us.”

This month’s global theme RADICAL will be discussed by Adraint Bereal on Friday, November 13th. 

Say thanks to our partner this month: The Creative Executive

One lucky attendee of this virtual event will have breakfast delivered to their home by our CreativeMornings Prize Patrol thanks to Cuvee Coffee PLUS a bonus prize – a Hops for HOPE Art & Beer Box from Hope Campaign thanks to our presenting partner Austin Design Week. We’ll be coming together virtually, so registered attendees will receive a zoom link via email. Register here. 

Our global theme for November is RADICAL. It was chosen by our San Diego chapter, illustrated by Maheswari Janarthanan, and is presented by Mailchimp.

 Shake things up with the hashtags #CMradical & #CMATX

When we embrace radical ideas for positive change, we must be willing to reconstruct what we see and act otherwise. Better doors and realities can only open when we collectively start to move differently.

“In the space of ‘ideas’ is where we can radically change systems,” explains artist and cultural organizer Favianna Rodriguez. “And that is, how do we completely re-envision our society?”

Being radical can also be as simple as exercising a new level of hospitality and generosity. Entrepreneur and activist Tanya Torp shares, “It’s radical when you let other people lead, and you get out of the way. I define radical hospitality as ‘transformational connections through welcome.’”

This month, we encourage you to quiet your mind and think about a few areas you’re willing to shake things up. Together, let’s create more radically profound, kind, and welcoming rooms.

We're continuing to do the work of antiracism and hope you’ll join us. For the rest of this year, we are highlighting the antiracism work of others:

Antiracism Activation Kit
Deepen your personal antiracism journey with a guided workbook where you learn antiracism fundamentals and walk away with a personalized action plan. Nov 10 8:30-10am. Register here.

The Fed’s Racism & the Economy Series, focus on Employment
This session will focus on issues related to occupational segregation, discriminatory practices, and employment law. Nov 17 12-2pm. Register here.

Austin Justice Coalition Book Club: Jesmyn Ward’s The Fire This Time
A discussion of The Fire This Time by Jesmyn Ward. The book is divided into three parts that shine a light on the darkest corners of our history, wrestle with our current predicament, and envision a better future.
Dec 6 5-6pm. Register here.

Our next talk will be Friday 10/30 with Yasmine Smith from PUMA (People United for Mobility Action) on the theme of TRANSIT.
Say thanks to our partner this month Greatest Common Factory + a special shout out for the ongoing support of our beverage partner, Cuvee Coffee.
We’ll be coming together virtually, so registered attendees will receive a zoom link via email. Registration opens at 11:00 on Monday. Details here.
Share how you’re moving through this month with the hashtags #CMtransit & #CMATX