🎤 May Speaker on REVIVAL: Francis Almeda

Francis Almeda is a serial entrepreneur, Creative Director, and dad. He’s behind some of Chicago’s most exciting and innovative hospitality concepts, including Side Practice Coffee, Drip Collective, Novel Pizza Cafe, and Kanin, and is an advisor and early investor in Del Sur Bakery. With over two decades in advertising, Francis worked at the top agencies in Chicago and San Francisco and spent time at Google as an Art Director/Creative Director. He has also taught design and marketing at Miami Ad School, Chicago Portfolio School, and DePaul University. A proud Filipino American, he’s become a pillar for the Filipino and AAPI communities—paving the way for the next generation of creative entrepreneurs and building platforms rooted in culture, food, and community. @francis.almeda

#CMRevival

Give special cheers to our Digital Illustrator 🖍️ Katya Balakina (@xrenobl) for turning our April’s event into visual notes. 📝

Check out this graphic recording about Amanda’s talk (@amandarecupido) on the theme CROSSROADS. 🛣️ 🚸

What a morning hosting April’s event at BlueDog. Special thank you to our venue, volunteers, global and local sponsors for making this month’s event happen. A huge shoutout to Amanda (@amandarecupido) for her inspiring talk on the theme #crossroads.

See the rest of the magic pics 🪄📸 from our Flickr taken by our wonderful #cmchi photo team!

If you want your company, agency, or business love what we do and want to support our chapter for future morning events, DM us on our instagram (@chicago_cm) or drop an email - chicago@creativemornings.com

 #CMCrossroads

What a great Friday hosting March’s event at @designmuseumchi. Special thank you to our venue, volunteers, global and local sponsors for making this month’s event happen.

A huge shoutout to Bryn (@citizen.bryn) for her inspiring talk on the theme #parallel.

See the rest of the magic pics 🪄📸 from our Flickr taken by our wonderful #cmchi photo team! Link is in our bio.

If you, your company, agency, or business love what we do and want to support our chapter for future morning events, DM us on our instagram (@chicago_cm) or drop an email - chicago@creativemornings.com

We’re excited to hear from you and hope to see you at next month’s event!

🎤 February Speaker on LAYERS: Samantha Callender

Samantha Callender is a multimedia professional passionate about storytelling, culture, and digital media. With a background in journalism, social strategy, and brand communications, she’s worked across industries, from NPR’s WBEZ to Essence Magazine and luxury brands like Aesop. She amplifies voices, creates inspiring spaces, and thrives at the intersection of media and culture. A proud Chicagoan, she loves exploring local arts, design, and cafés. Connect with her @OnYourCallender.

📍 ⭐ In-Person at See You Soon @seeyousoon

Give special cheers to our Digital Illustrator 🖍️ Coté Soerens (@cotesoerens) for turning our January’s even into visual notes. 📝

Check out this graphic recording about Cara Sabin’s talk on the theme JOURNEY 🗺 🌏 🏃‍♀️ 💪

#CMChi #CMJourney #Journey #breakfastclub #CreativeTalent #chicagoartist

An amazing morning hosting January’s event! Special thank you to our venue, volunteers, global and local sponsors for making this month’s event happen.

A huge shoutout to Cara Sabin for her inspiring talk on the theme #journey.

See the rest of the magic pics 🪄📸 from our Flickr taken by our wonderful #cmchi photo team! Link is in our bio.

If you want your company, agency, or business love what we do and want to support our chapter for future morning events, DM us on our instagram (@chicago_cm) or drop an email - chicago@creativemornings.com

We’re excited to hear from you and hope to see you at next month’s event!

🎤 Next Speaker: Cara Sabin

Cara blends art and athletics with nearly 20 years as a professional dancer in Chicago and as a member of The Seldoms, performing nationally and internationally. She found strength training while cross-training for dance, with her first CrossFit experience sparking a new passion. Cara believes health is happiness and became a coach to share how community and movement transform lives. She is Defined Training’s Head Coach, General Manager, and co-founder of The Lunge Ladies, an all-female strength training collective.

📅 Friday, January 31st at 8:30-10am

📍 ⭐ In-Person Only ⭐ at Steppenwolf Ensemble Theatre - 1646 N. Halsted Entrance. Door Closes at 9:10AM sharp.

🎵 DJ Mike Caliber

🎟️ Registration Opens Friday, January 24th at 9am. Tickets go first come, first served. Limited!

👋 High fives and humble gratitude to our local sponsors: Big Shoulders Coffee | Busy Beaver Button Company | DJ Mike Caliber

💛 And a big shout out to our global partners: Adobe | The Harnisch Foundation

Give special cheers to our Digital Illustrators 🖍️ Katya Balakina (@xrenobl) and 🖍️ Coté Soerens (@cotesoerens) for turning our December’s Audience Takes the Stage speakers into visual notes. 📝

Check out this graphic recording about our 3 super-talented audience members on the theme CYCLE. ♻️ 🛞 🌀

What a morning hosting December’s event! Special thanks to our venue, volunteers, global, and local sponsors for making this month’s event happen.

A special shoutout to our 3 talented audience members for their inspiring dialogue on the theme #cycle.

As we wrap up our 2024, we thank everyone for attending our 2024 events. We are excited for what 2025 holds for us!

If your company, agency, or business love what we do and want to support our chapter to generate future morning events, DM on our Instagram (@chicago_cm) or drop an email - chicago@creativemornings.com

We are excited to hear from you!