Created2Create Coalition Mixer: A Creative Wellness Social

Presented by Artbae + The Created2Create Coalition
Hosted by Cary Michael Robinson of Artbae + Aliya Duran of Mindbolic Studios

📅 Friday, June 5, 2026
🕠 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Coalition Mixer + Wellness Social
🎶 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM | “Catch Us at the Afterparty” featuring DJ Konshince + Live Instrumental Sound Experience by Eddie K Jr.

📍 Sulod Cocktail Bar
1250 H Street NE, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20002

Created2Create is more than a workshop series.

It is an evolving coalition of artists, therapists, wellness practitioners, educators, and community builders committed to using creativity as a pathway toward healing, emotional wellness, self-expression, and collective care.

After months of facilitating creative wellness programming throughout the DMV, the Created2Create Coalition is officially gathering together for the first time.

And you’re invited.

This evening serves as both a celebration and soft launch of the 2026 Created2Create Coalition while creating intentional space for meaningful conversations surrounding:

✨ Mental wellness
✨ Masculinity + vulnerability
✨ Creativity as healing
✨ Community care
✨ Emotional regulation
✨ Identity, joy, and self-expression

June is recognized as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, bringing visibility to what many have called a silent crisis.

Men continue to experience disproportionately high rates of depression, emotional suppression, and suicide, often navigating pressure, expectation, and pain in silence.

This experience intentionally creates space to challenge stigma, normalize support, and remind people that healing does not have to happen alone.

And we’re doing it the Created2Create way:

Through art.
Through culture.
Through conversation.
Through community.

Walk into an intentionally curated atmosphere featuring:

🍸 Open Bar (6PM–7:30PM)
🍴 Complimentary Food While Supplies Last
🎶 Curated soulful music + vibes
📸 Photography + content moments
🧠 Therapist + wellness resource tables
🎨 Creative activations
🤝 Coalition networking + introductions
💭 Interactive reflection wall

Meet the vision behind the Created2Create Coalition and learn how art, wellness, and community intersect through this growing movement.

A featured fireside-style panel exploring:

• Creativity + healing
• Men’s mental health
• Emotional wellness
• Vulnerability + masculinity
• Therapy + support systems
• Navigating pressure, identity, and care

Featuring members of the Created2Create Coalition:

Shawnessa Devonish-Ford, MA, LPC
Clinical Therapist + Facilitator

D’Juan D. Thomas, MA, LPC
Clinical Therapist + Facilitator

Donnie Onasanya
Creative Facilitator + Wellness Advocate

Nico “NNIL” Pires
Holistic Wellness Practitioner + Art & Wellness Advocate

Renee Anorue, MSW, LCSW-C
Clinical Therapist + Facilitator

🎙 Moderated by Ashanti Cynnik
Founder, Cynnik Events

Experience live creativity and visual storytelling from:

Alexi Abi
Multidisciplinary Artist

Kenneth Graves
Live Painter + Realism Artist

Kaylee Daryl
Visual Artist + Creative Facilitator

Additional live and featured artist activations may be announced.

This isn’t just background music.

It’s atmosphere.

DJ Konshince will guide the evening soundtrack and afterparty energy with soulful, culturally grounded sounds.

Guests will also experience a Live Instrumental Sound Experience by Eddie K Jr., whose live saxophone accompaniment will be woven throughout the evening during networking, cocktail hour, and key transitions, creating an elevated and emotionally immersive experience.

Expect:

🎷 Live sax + DJ layering
🎵 Neo-soul
🎵 R&B
🎵 Afrobeats
🎵 Soul classics
🎵 Feel-good cultural vibes

Cary Michael Robinson
Artbae + Artbae Foundation CEO/Founder

Aliya Duran
Mindbolic Studios + Sulod Cocktail Bar

Throughout the evening guests may enjoy:

🎨 Mini creative experiences
💌 Reflection + affirmation stations
🧠 Wellness resources
🛍 Vendor marketplace
🎁 Giveaways
🤝 Therapist + wellness tables
📷 Content moments + networking
🎶 Community + celebration

Because healing and joy can exist in the same room.

Stay after the mixer and continue connecting, dancing, and celebrating community with DJ Konshince and the Created2Create family.

✔ Artists
✔ Therapists
✔ Wellness practitioners
✔ Creatives
✔ Educators
✔ Community builders
✔ Entrepreneurs
✔ Anyone seeking connection, healing, inspiration, and good energy

Space is limited.

RSVP encouraged.

Activities supported in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH). ✨

Info: Arrival + Networking Social

Walk into an intentionally curated atmosphere featuring:

Open Bar (6PM–7:30PM)
Complimentary Food While Supplies Last
Curated soulful music + vibes
Photography + content moments
Therapist + wellness resource tables
Creative activations
Coalition networking + introductions
Interactive reflection wall

Info: Meet the vision behind the Created2Create Coalition and learn how art, wellness, and community intersect through this growing movement.

Info: A featured fireside-style panel exploring:

• Creativity + healing
• Men’s mental health
• Emotional wellness
• Vulnerability + masculinity
• Therapy + support systems
• Navigating pressure, identity, and care

Info: The evening transitions into a more free-flowing social environment encouraging deeper connection, creativity, and engagement.

Info: Because healing and joy can exist in the same room.

Stay after the mixer and continue connecting, dancing, and celebrating community with DJ Konshince and the Created2Create family.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Artbae