Jayde I. Powell and Born Social Lead the Conversation on the Future of Influence at Creator Redefined Atlanta

Atlanta, GA — Creatorpreneur and social media strategist Jayde I. Powell partnered with global creative agency Born Social to present Creator Redefined Atlanta, an industry conversation examining how creators are expanding beyond traditional influencer roles to build sustainable businesses, develop new skill sets, and create opportunities across the creator economy.

Hosted at Croud's Atlanta office during Brandweek Atlanta, the event was presented through Powell's creator-focused platform, Creator Tea Talk, in collaboration with Born Social and Croud. Nearly 190 guests registered for the gathering, which reached capacity and generated a waitlist of creators and industry professionals interested in the future of creator entrepreneurship.

The event brought together creators with audiences of varying sizes and businesses at different stages of development for a conversation about what it means to be a creator in 2026. At the center of the program was a fireside chat between Powell and Steph Ross, VP of Social & Influencer at Born Social, exploring how the definition of a creator continues to evolve and what that evolution means for the businesses and careers creators can build.

Redefining what a creator can become

For years, the creator economy has been closely associated with social media influence, sponsored content, and audience growth. As more creators expand into entrepreneurship, consulting, education, and other professional opportunities, those traditional definitions are becoming increasingly limited. Through Creator Tea Talk, Powell has consistently championed conversations that recognize creators as skilled professionals and business owners whose value extends beyond their ability to attract followers or promote products.

Creator Redefined Atlanta continued that work by examining how creators apply their expertise across multiple disciplines, develop new revenue opportunities, and build businesses that can grow beyond their individual social media presence.

During the fireside chat, Powell shared how she has approached that evolution in her own career, expanding her work as a creator into multiple business ventures and income streams. The conversation gave attendees a firsthand look at the decisions, challenges, and opportunities of building a creator-led business while navigating the industry's changes.

The discussion also challenged the assumption that creators must follow a single career path or business model to be successful. As the industry matures, creators are increasingly positioned to contribute as strategists, entrepreneurs, educators, and creative partners, with professional opportunities that extend well beyond traditional influencer marketing.

For Powell, whose work spans social media strategy, agency ownership, brand partnerships, and community building, this expanded definition reflects the direction she has continued to advocate for through her public speaking, educational initiatives, and Creator Tea Talk programming.

“When people hear the word ‘creator,’ they still tend to picture someone with a big following promoting products. But some of the most talented creators I know are strategists, educators, and business owners who are building careers well beyond their follower count. With Creator Redefined, I wanted to create a space where creators could see all the ways their skills can turn into real opportunities, and where brands and agencies could see the full value of the people behind the content,” says Powell.

A new era of creative collaboration

The event also explored how brands and agencies can evolve alongside the creators they work with. Born Social, a global social-first creative agency with offices in London and New York, used the gathering to introduce attendees to its Born Creator Community, a curated network of vetted creators designed to connect creative talent with paid opportunities from leading brands.

Launched in 2026, the community focuses on creators who produce culturally relevant, brand-safe content that feels native to social platforms. Through the network, members are matched with paid brand briefs that align with their expertise and creative styles, removing the need for traditional cold pitching. The initiative provided another perspective on the future of creator careers, particularly as agencies look for new ways to establish ongoing relationships with creators and produce content that reflects the communities they want to reach.

For brands, these partnerships offer access to creative professionals who understand culture, audience behavior, and the kinds of stories that resonate online. For creators, they introduce opportunities to generate revenue through their creative skills and expertise, regardless of whether they fit the traditional definition of an influencer.

Cultivating spaces for the next generation of creatorpreneurs

Creator Redefined Atlanta marked the third of six events Creator Tea Talk has planned over the past year, continuing Powell's commitment to creating spaces where creators can exchange ideas, access industry expertise, and develop practical strategies for growing their businesses.

The location also carried personal significance. Croud's Atlanta office was the site of Creator Tea Talk's very first event, making the return a full-circle moment for a platform that has continued to expand its programming and community.

With nearly 200 industry professionals and creatorpreneurs on the registration list, the event reflected the growing interest in conversations that move beyond content creation and address the realities of building a career and business in the creator economy in 2026.

The gathering also added to Powell's ongoing efforts to bring creators together with the brands, agencies, and professionals shaping opportunities in the creator economy today. Through Creator Tea Talk, she continues to create platforms for discussing how the industry is changing while advocating for greater access to the knowledge, relationships, and resources creators need to grow.

As the definition of a creator continues to evolve, Creator Redefined Atlanta reinforced an important direction for the industry: recognizing the full range of skills, businesses, and professional ambitions that exist behind the content.

Interested in partnering with Jayde on creator-focused events, educational programming, or industry conversations? Get in touch to explore collaboration opportunities.

Photography by Diandra Thompson