Jayde I. Powell Celebrates Black History Month with Creator Event in Atlanta

Atlanta, GA — Through her brand, Creator Tea Talk, creatorpreneur Jayde I. Powell hosted the first Atlanta Creator Briefing of 2026, bringing together Black creators, strategists, and industry leaders for an evening dedicated to unpacking The Business of Black Creativity.

Held at the Sage offices in Atlanta, the Atlanta Creator Briefing centered on an urgent and necessary question: if Black culture drives the market, why is equitable compensation in the creator economy so inconsistent?

The evening event opened with a mixer and networking session, followed by Jayde welcoming attendees and sponsors, including Sage and Clara for Creators, to a dynamic panel and Q&A featuring casting producer Ashley Lewis, social strategist and creator Sydney Price, and content marketing strategist Terri Watson. Each panelist offered candid insights on rate setting, repeating brand partnerships, and what separates creators who command premium budgets from those who do not.

The discussion was grounded in data, as a point shared from a 2021 study by MSL U.S. in partnership with The Influencer League revealed a 35% pay gap between white and Black influencers. Meanwhile, a recent Nielsen report titled The Black Influence: How Black Culture & Identity Drive the Market, uncovered that 67% of Black audiences pay more attention to ads that reflect their culture, and 52% are more likely to purchase when brands partner with creators connected to their fandoms and interests.

“One thing I’ve learned from building Creator Tea Talk is that creators don’t just need inspiration—they need information. Black culture has always driven what’s cool and what moves the market, but influence doesn’t always translate into equitable pay. This conversation was about helping creators better understand the business behind their creativity, from how to price their work to how to advocate for themselves in negotiations, so they can build partnerships and careers that actually reflect the value they bring to the industry,” says Jayde.

Panelists also addressed the structural barriers that contribute to inequity, from lack of transparency in brand budgets to bias in how influence is valued. Rather than focusing solely on known biases affecting Black creators, Jayde’s panelists shared tangible steps for attendees, from strengthening negotiation skills to proactively building long-term brand relationships. The conversation emphasized that creative talent alone is not enough; fluency determines longevity in the creator economy. 

The Atlanta Creator Briefing is just one of many events Jayde hosts, continuing her mission to create intentional spaces for creators to move from influence to infrastructure. 

To see what events Jayde will host next, be sure to subscribe to her newsletter and follow her on LinkedIn.