Today we’d like to introduce you to Kori Coleman.
Kori, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I first started curating experiences when I was about eight or nine years old. I always thought each day should be filled with adventure and the unexpected, so I made myself the unofficial activities chair for any and all family gatherings. My skills were ultimately put to the test with our first ever Kwanzaa celebration. We came bearing gifts, my Mom made a custom soul food menu, and all around we created a potential new family tradition.
From that moment, I realized that making impactful memories was what I destined to do. Fast forward to now, I’ve used my blogging platform with TheChicagolite.com to share remarkable experiences with my audience. Attending the ballet and intimate dinners are some of my favorite activities to partake in.
As a young black woman, I wanted to show my audience that black people could inhabit these luxury experiences. I’ve had conversations with people where the thought of going to the opera or a nice restaurant was uncomfortable. I hope that by me being present within that space, and opening those doors, that that perception changes.
I’ve been fortunate to live a life where I was exposed to many things at an early age. My parents prioritized my sisters and I becoming “cultured,” so I started playing the violin and attending local symphonies at the age of five.
Even at the age of five, my Mother instilled in us the importance of representation. Since there weren’t a lot of black violinists, she encouraged us to be in the classical music world so we could fill that void.
I started my chamber music organization D-Composed because I saw that there was a need to have access to the performing arts within the black community. The classical music world has been a gated community for some time and I sought out a team that could help me change that. Danielle Taylor, who is now my artistic director helped make my dream a reality.
We often cite Mozart and Bach when thinking of classical composers but rarely are we aware of the works of black composers such as William Grant Still or Florence Price. With D-Composed we just wanted to redefine the classical music experience and infuse a lot of blackness in the process. Hence, why when you come to one of our shows, you’re in for an experience that’s unlike any other.
When it’s all said and done, I credit my upbringing, the fabulous world of blogging, and the spirit of curiosity for the creation of D-Composed.
I’m just a girl that’s trying to change the way we approach luxury and who has access to it.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road hasn’t been completely smooth but it wasn’t riddled with challenges either. D-Composed has only been around for over a year and we’ve already seen tremendous success within a short time frame.
In our first year, we developed partnerships with The Rebuild Foundation, Soho House, Chicago Ideas, and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Chicago just to name a few.
I believe things have been so successful with us because we are living fully in our purpose. Plus, I believe that the sky is the limit and I’m capable of any opportunity. I’m also incredibly persistent and everyone who’s worked with me will tell you that. When a brand or partner tells us no, I don’t view that as a permanent situation. I see it as, ok maybe we aren’t meant for this opportunity right now but it’s not completely out of the question. Basically, I believe we are fully capable of working with Solange or Beyoncé. Maybe just not right now lol
When it’s what you are meant to do and you’ve found your calling, things are just easier. If you are constantly being met with hurdle after hurdle, it’s more than likely time to do some introspective work and reflect on whether or not you are going down the right path.
I can confidently say that everything I’ve done up until this very moment has a direct connection to where I am today. I’m a serious advocate of moving with intention.
The advice I would give any creative or entrepreneur is: constantly ask yourself “the why.” Ask yourself why do you do the things that you do and does it align with your vision or purpose? Instead of saying yes to any and every opportunity, I’ve been challenging myself with the why.
The downside of that is that this thought process can lead to less opportunity. However, it’s important that everything we do is connected to our larger purpose. I’m very fortunate to have discovered my calling and purpose at an early age so that’s just how I make moves.
I’m a very spiritual person so I believe that me and God just make a great team and he’s fine with whatever I do as long as I continue to uplift the community and provide opportunities for others.
We’d love to hear more about what you do for D-Composed.
The real question is what don’t I do? Lol, I guess you can say I specialize in experience curation. I’ve always had grandiose visions for the events I produce. However, I pride myself on taking what was once an idea to a fully tangible reality. It’s one thing to have ideas but what really matters is the execution.
I like to create experiences that you have never seen before. D-Composed on the surface seems like it’s just a concert. While at a minimum that is the case, as an experience curator I wouldn’t be doing my job if we didn’t challenge the traditional concert experience. I ask myself what happens if we have curated cocktails inspired by the compositions with the best mixologist in the city. Or, how about we combine pop hits on strings during a yoga session.
Essentially, I take something that is seemingly mundane or average and I always challenge myself with how can we push the concept even further.
If you don’t walk away crying or in amazement over what we produced then I have failed and it’s back to the drawing board.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have an interesting relationship with the word mentor. As I’ve gotten more established in my field which leads to a busier schedule, I realized it’s ok to not have this mentor on speed dial relationship. I genuinely can’t mentor anyone right now and I don’t expect anyone to always be available to me.
There are a handful of people that I know I can turn to when I need advice, but they don’t fit the technical definition of mentor. At the end of the day, we are all busy and the people you truly admire are especially busy.
With that being said, it’s about creating value for yourself and these busy people will begin to make time for you. When you are out here making a name for yourself and putting in the work, someone is bound to take notice.
Everyone that has come to me to guide me has been a result of them already admiring the work that I do. The key is to do the work and the mentors and guidance will come.
My mentors have given me advice and have been instrumental in my success but we have mutual respect for one another. It’s a beneficial relationship for all parties. The right people will come into your life to guide you, you just have to keep doing what you need to do for them to see the value in the relationship.
As far as networking, nothing is off limits. I have no shame in approaching people who are deemed as incredibly influential because it’s important that I view myself in the same capacity. My Mom’s greatest advice to me is that you only have one shot so I approach every event and situation as if I only have one shot. 9 times out of 10 I don’t leave an event if haven’t made a key contact. Just put yourself out there and the rest will follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: dcomposed.com, thechicagolite.com
- Email: kori@dcomposed.com
- Instagram: dcomposedchicago, thechicagolite
- Facebook: facebook.com/dcomposedchicago
Image Credit:
Ally Almore
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