Blackbird Revolt: The Member Interview

Centering Community and a Collective Vision for the Future

Blackbird Revolt is a local creative studio that acts as a platform for conscious creatives looking to transform our communities. Founded by Terresa Moses and Jordon Moses in 2016, Blackbird Revolt is operated by a diverse team of Black and brown creatives who feel compelled to engage our community through art and design. The goal is to inspire people to engage in activism and movement work, thereby breaking the social and political barriers that keep us caged.

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What inspired you to start your business, and what is your long-term vision for it?

There was, and still is, a lack of Black designers and creatives in the design field. Additionally, even amongst diverse businesses and entrepreneurs we saw many calls for inclusion and few calls for liberation. We wanted to start a firm that leans into liberation, in messaging, policy, and practice.

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What do you love about living and owning a business in Minnesota?

Working with some amazing creatives and getting to connect with folks across the state. We've had the great fortune of getting to connecting with organizers, artists, farmers, birders, musicians, storytellers, and so many other truly amazing people.

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What is your proudest achievement so far as a business owner?

Maintaining a business where staff make the same, has benefits with full premiums paid, and has held onto our values openly. Running a business is difficult, leading with our values within an economic system that incentivizes dehumanization is even more taxing. We are proud to have made it to year 7 and we hope for many more.

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What is one challenge you had to overcome, and how did you resolve it?

Growing and expanding while minimizing negative impact or overconsumption. This is a perpetual challenge and will be ever-present. We continue to reflect on our growth and what that means for our team, its impact on climate, and if it adds to the needs of the community.

What are 3 things you love about your business?

1. We're 100% led, run, and operated by Black and brown people who connect on shared values of abolition & liberation.

2. All of our team members contribute creatively to Blackbird.

3. None of our team members came to this work through mainstream channels. We worked in nonprofits, education, hospitals, and more before coming to Blackbird.

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What is the best decision you've made so far as a business owner?

To expand our team. We could not do this work without our team.

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What is one thing you wish you knew when you were starting out?

All of this is made up. Go for it, try knew things, experiment, don't be afraid to fail.

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Just for fun, what song best describes your business and why?

Blackbird by Nina Simone, and By Any Means by Jorja Smith.