Our Story
At its core, We Create was founded upon empowering the creative community through meaningful connection. As the landscape of the art world becomes more fraught and isolating, We Create seeks to support and ensure the success of creative professionals, with a special emphasis on emerging talent.
Founded by artist and illustrator Tracie Ching, We Create began as a one-of-a-kind mentorship program uplifting emerging artists, ultimately building a stronger creative world through community and shared knowledge. Maintaining that mission today, We Create has expanded to serve its cohorts and the greater creative community worldwide.
The Spark
2015
In 2015, a young Black woman approached illustrator Tracie Ching at Awesome Con, a comic convention in downtown Washington, DC. She was a budding artist and asked if Ching would consider mentoring her as she found getting started in the industry difficult. Deeply flattered, Ching regretfully explained she was unable to take on a mentee at that time – still feeling new and actively seeking mentorship herself.
For years to come the interaction would still play in Ching’s mind. With the void of support and connection within her art community becoming more pronounced, Ching finally resolved to become the change they had both desired.
Foundation
2019
In 2019 She Create was launched – marketed as a year-long mentorship and grant program for emerging female creatives. The program was focused on business development and awarded a $2,000 grant.
“When I decided to pursue my career I craved guidance – someone who had skills and experience, the time to impart their knowledge, and most importantly, understood what it was to be female in a male-dominated field. That is what I hope to offer. I had no shoulders to stand on so now I offer my own.” – Tracie Ching
Expansion
2021
In 2021, the program was rebranded as We Create and opened applications to anyone identifying within a minoritized group. Two more mentors were added allowing for the program to extend assistance and grants to two additional mentees.
Further community building was achieved by bringing in Guest Mentors such as comic book illustrator Steven McNiven and cartoonist Dami Lee to share their knowledge and experience with the cohort.
The inaugural We Create dinner was held at New York Comic Con of that year.
We Create
Today
Today We Create continues to hold its biennial We Create Mentorship cohorts, creating intimate, bespoke environments for the next generation of artists to flourish within. The program serves the larger creative community by creating unique and informative programming in collaboration with creative event partners around the globe, as well as offering ala carte mentoring and consultation services to individual artists or corporations looking for creative solutions.
We Create 