What is Creative Exchange?

Creative Exchange is a growing initiative bringing creatives, entrepreneurs, and emerging professionals together through meaningful, skill-building experiences.

Our mission is simple:
Connect. Build. Grow.

Creative Exchange is presented by CREA8VILLE and Rumble Creative Studios, two organizations committed to strengthening Connecticut’s creative economy and expanding access to opportunity.

About Us

  • A smiling Black woman in an orange off-the-shoulder dress and a smiling Black man in a cream T-shirt and pants standing back to back against a dark background.

    Brad Rumble & Karena Rumble-Carter

    Lead Photographer & Creative Director

    Brad brings 10+ years of professional photography experience, blending technical expertise with creative vision to produce compelling visual content for brands, creators, and real estate clients. As co-owner of Rumble Creative Studios and Brad Rumble Photography, he leads the studio’s visual direction and ensures an elevated experience for every shoot.

    Operations Strategist & Community Builder

    Karena is the strategic heart of Rumble Creative Studios, overseeing studio operations, scheduling, and client experiences to ensure a seamless and welcoming environment for creators. She brings a strong blend of project management leadership and creative entrepreneurship, with experience leading complex initiatives and building creative projects from concept to execution. Her work centers on creating spaces where creativity, strategy, and opportunity intersect.

  • A man with a shaved head and beard wearing a white blazer over a dark shirt, standing outdoors on a city street with buildings and shops in the background.

    Jonathan “Zaawadi” Kalema

    Creative & Strategic Partner

    Jonathan is a visionary creative strategist and community builder with a deep track record of connecting talent and opportunity across disciplines. He is the founder of Haus of VZN and CREA8VILLE, a creative network and directory connecting designers, filmmakers, stylists, and makers. His work explores the intersection of creativity, strategy, and purpose, fostering collaboration and meaningful growth across Connecticut’s creative community. He fuels conversations that sharpen vision and elevate creative impact.

Together, we are launching Creative Exchange to uplift Connecticut’s creative community.

Upcoming Events

Creative Exchange events take place throughout the year.

The Career Advancement Workshop April 4, 2026

A community-driven career event where professionals come together to share insight, build connections, and unlock new opportunities.

  • Resume strategy and career positioning

  • Interview and hiring insights

  • Professional growth and skill building

  • Curated networking and connection

This first event sets the foundation for Creative Exchange, a recurring series built to connect, develop, and elevate Connecticut's professional community.

  • Growth-minded professionals ready to advance or change direction

  • Emerging professionals and career changers seeking direction

  • Entrepreneurs and small business owners growing their teams or skills

  • Employers and hiring managers engaging with motivated local talent

Who it Serves

Get Involved With Creative Exchange

Creative Exchange is a Connecticut-based event series presented by Rumble Creative Studios and CREA8VILLE, two organizations committed to building spaces where careers are advanced, businesses are grown, and communities are strengthened. Through curated events spanning professional development, entrepreneurship, and creative collaboration, we bring the right people together and create the conditions for something real to happen.

Whether you're an emerging professional finding your footing, an entrepreneur ready to scale, a creative looking to collaborate, or a business wanting to connect with a motivated local audience, Creative Exchange was built with you in mind

Through Creative Exchange, participants and partners can expect:

  • Professional Development & Career Growth
    Expert panels, hiring insights, and skill-building sessions designed to help professionals at every stage grow, pivot, and move forward with confidence.

  • Entrepreneurship & Business Building
    Programming focused on funding, scaling, collaboration, and the tools entrepreneurs need to build sustainable, thriving businesses.

  • Community-Centered Connection
    Intentional networking with professionals, entrepreneurs, hiring managers, and community leaders, in an environment built for relationships.

  • Meaningful Visibility for Partners
    Sponsors, vendors, and collaborators get direct access to a motivated, diverse audience, plus social promotion, on-site presence, and post-event content that extends your reach beyond the room.

  • Ground-Floor Partnership Opportunity
    Creative Exchange is just getting started. Early partners help shape what this initiative becomes and grow alongside it as it expands across Connecticut.

Ways to Get Involved

Stay Connected
Be the first to hear about upcoming Creative Exchange events, announcements, and opportunities.

Get Event Updates
Get Event Updates

Collaborate With Us
Interested in partnering, leading a session, or contributing to future Creative Exchange events?

Explore Collaboration
Explore Collaboration