ABOUT USWe help folks use their narratives to advance movements, build collective power, and share resources that our communities may use to thrive.
Our MISSIONTo help community-centered nonprofits and small businesses tell meaningful stories that foster resilient communities and create a pathway towards Black liberation.
OUR VALUESBlack Liberation
We center the voices and experiences of Black people in everything we do.
We celebrate our many joys and are committed to healing from our trauma. We make space for the unlimited potential of Black imagination. We honor the diversity within our community and strive to utilize our collective power to create spaces and places where all Black people may finally be free!
Radical Inclusivity
We know that we are strongest when we prioritize accessibility and honor the realities of our vast community of Black, Indigenous, Queer and Trans, and People of Color. We believe that everyone has a story worth telling and we aim to remove all barriers when helping people share their truths.
Building Collective Power
None of us are free until all of us are free. And we are so much more powerful when we actively work together to find a clear pathway toward freedom. For us, this looks like working across racial groups, issue areas, and communities to ensure that we are using our stories and actions to create a world situated in justice and equity.
Serving Community
We pride ourselves on helping the communities that we call home tell the stories that matter to them. We know that there are many strong voices and stories that have yet to be elevated. And it is our job to support these folks in being heard.
OUR TEAM
Marrion Johnson (he/him) / Founder + Lead Strategist
Marrion JohnsonMarrion is an Oakland-based writer and communications strategist hailing from the South Side of Chicago. He is a graduate of Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and African American Studies, and in 2019 he founded Yates Creative. Marrion strives to help Black folks tap into the power and potential of their own stories, in an effort to create thriving Black communities.
Monica Tzeng (she/her) / Operations Manager
MONICA TZENGRaised in the Bay Area by immigrant parents, Monica aligns and supports communities through work that is necessary, grounding, and practical. She has a knack for moving teams forward while deepening connections and teams across ideation to fruition in their offerings.
Ashante J. Ford (Ash, they/she) / Executive Coordinator
ASHANTE J. FORDAshante is a grassroots organizer, multidisciplinary artist, teacher, and poet who explores notions of Afro-surrealism, hoodoo conjure, and Black feminist theory in her work(s). Originally born in Washington State, Ash now resides in Oakland, CA, closer to family and community. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and double minor credentials in Journalism and African American Studies, Ash has traveled across the globe documenting Black stories. Their unique worldview informs their expertise in digital storytelling.
Alana Black (she/her) / Communications Associate
ALANA BLACKAlana Black is a Black communicator based in the Bay Area. She works with the goal of ensuring that information is clear and accessible to folks who need it. When she's not writing for work, Alana is often writing for fun, in particular short stories, poetry, and humor pieces.
Yates Creative is helping folks use their narratives to advance movements, build collective power, and share resources that Black, Indigenous and Communities of Color may use to thrive.
What our clients are saying:
Working with Yates Creative has has been a godsend. We connected with them after losing our communications manager and right before launching a national campaign. Marrion and the Yates Creative team were able to bring a level of expertise that elevated our work and increased our engagement. Even now, as we transition towards the end of our contract, they are supporting in onboarding our new communications staff. This really has been a magical experience for us.
Mahnker Dahnweih, Executive Team Member, Freedom, Inc.
Ready to work together? Contact us.