Press Release
Atlanta, GA – June 2, 2023 – SUBSUME, an esteemed lifestyle community and tech-startup in
Atlanta led by creator and futurist, Dedren Snead, is thrilled to announce actress and activist,
Erika Alexander, as their celebrity guest for their upcoming Juneteenth celebration. In its fourth
year, Creative Juneteenth is a unique event that will pay homage to the legacy of Black Creative
Freedom during the Juneteenth holiday weekend, aiming to highlight the incredible works of
today’s most innovative minds in the Black Creative Diaspora, while honoring those who made
sacrifices throughout history that cultivated Black people’s freedom to create an inclusive tomorrow.
Erika Alexander, an award-winning actress, producer and director has cemented her status as
one of the country’s boldest, most daring, and powerful voices. Perhaps best known for her role
as Maxine Shaw on the groundbreaking series “Living Single,” for which she garnered two
NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress/Comedy Series, her role on the show inspired
the what many refer to as the Maxine Shaw Effect, as countless Women of Color pursued
careers as lawyers, executives and independent change agents as a result of being inspired by
her signature character.
Erika is also a co-founder of Color Farm Media with Ben Arnon. Through Color Farm Media,
Erika aims to bring greater equity, inclusion, and diverse representation to both media and
electoral politics. Self-described as the “Motown of film, TV, and tech,” Color Farm Media
develops and produces scripted and non-scripted content for film, television, streaming and
audio platforms. In its short time, Color Farm Media has become a premium content player,
birthing important creations in all genres in film, audio and the comic book space.
When asked why it’s important for Black creators to attend events like Creative Junteenth, that
center Black creators, Erika responded, “Creators unite! Make a way, tell your stories. Speaking
out today is tomorrow’s guarantee that new stories feature you, as principal players, embedded
within the narrative. The alternative? Stay silent, be ignored, become extinct.”
Since her time on “Living Single”, Erika has consistently uses her voice, platform, and influence
to speak up and advocate for those who have been overlooked or marginalized. Erika is
celebrated for her relentless pursuit of excellence and her effort to have a positive impact on the
human condition. She is not only an Afrofuturist, humanitarian, and artist, but also an activist
and womanist.
This year’s Creative Juneteenth event is a truly interactive one, inviting participants to immerse
themselves in an eclectic weekend of innovation, empowerment, culture, and fun. The event will
feature artists, fans, makers, and masters in the fields of art, media, gaming, tech, and startup
culture. A highlight of the event is the virtual reality mobile experience centering film and
storytelling in partnership with the XR Film Festival and Harlem Film House that is scheduled for
Saturday at 8pm EST.
“Creative Juneteenth is a celebration of the remarkable contributions made by the Black
Creative Class,” said Dedren Snead, Founder of SUBSUME. “It is an opportunity to connect,
collaborate, and showcase the diverse talent within our community. We are excited to bring
together an array of creative minds for an unforgettable experience,” Snead continued.
Event programming will offer virtual access to their speaking panels and engagement, allowing
individuals from around the world to participate and connect with the Black Creative Diaspora.
Sunday’s programming is in partnership with The State of Black Science Fiction, Black
Speculative Arts Movement (BSAM) and SUBSUME’s ATLANTAFUTURISM.
Sunday’s in-person programming will feature a curated book fair featuring local Black
Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, and Comic storytellers and will be held at Russell Innovation
Center for Entrepreneurs, located at 504 Fair Street SW Atlanta, GA 30313. Attendees can
enjoy free 2-hour parking on-site with their ticket, and additional street parking is available as
well.
Other esteemed guests include: Author Milton Davis, Artist and AI Researcher Nettrice Gaskins,
and AI Scientist Dr. Nashlie Sephus, with many more to be announced.
As part of SUBSUME’s commitment to supporting independent artists and building Black
businesses, SUBSUME encourages attendees to participate in their initiative: Show $100 in
receipts and receive a $20 Vendor Voucher, which can be used to support local vendors and
keep dollars circulating within the community.
The event is free to attend, however, registration is encouraged.
To register visit: https://bit.ly/CreativeJuneteenth23Tix &
https://bit.ly/CreativeJuneteenth23BookFair or access further event details at:
https://www.subsumestudios.com
For media inquiries, please contact:
Tiara Wigfall
Email: hello@legacymediaonline.com
About SUBSUME
SUBSUME is a lifestyle community and tech start-up based in Atlanta, dedicated to connecting
and championing the unique needs, expectations, voice, and collaborative futures of the Black
Creative Class. Through their events, initiatives, and projects, SUBSUME fosters an
environment that empowers and uplifts Black creatives and innovators, helping them to thrive
and reach their full potential. Learn more at: www.subsumestudios.com
Follow SUBSUME on Social:
Facebook: facebook.com/subsumestudios
Instagram: instagram.com/subsume.studios
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/subsumelife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@subsumestudios/video
