In this week’s episode, host Scott “Sourdough” Power welcomes Vincent Bragg and Joe Michael Nickson, the co-founders of ConCreates, a creative agency that elevates the talents of individuals with criminal backgrounds. Vincent and Joe, both former inmates who met in prison, tell us how their lived experiences inspired them to challenge societal stereotypes surrounding incarceration and led to the founding of ConCreates.
ConCreates connects currently and formerly incarcerated individuals—known as ConCreators—with established brands, like Meta and Google, seeking innovative perspectives. The agency aims to provide these individuals with meaningful work and fair compensation that matches their skill sets. A key aspect of their values is the belief that diversity benefits businesses and, more importantly, that it fosters creativity. Vincent and Joe discuss how their unique insights attract major corporate partners, allowing them to disrupt conventional marketing narratives with divergent thinking and authentic stories.
This episode explores how ConCreates empowers its ConCreators, demonstrating that creativity can emerge from adversity when the right conditions are present. Vincent and Joe’s mission goes beyond generating ideas; it's about diversity of perspective and giving talented people a well-deserved second chance.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
About ConCreates
ConCreates is a pioneering creative agency that empowers currently and formerly incarcerated individuals to unleash their creativity in transformative ways. Founded by Vincent Bragg and Joe Michael Nickson, the organization seeks to dismantle the stigma surrounding one-third of the U.S. population with criminal histories. Vincent, the CEO, discovered that the confines of prison fostered innovative thinking and has since led ConCreates to collaborate with renowned brands like Meta, Google, and Roc Nation. Joe, the CCO, once labeled a bank robber, turned his life around through marketing strategy, leveraging his unique perspective to drive impactful campaigns. Together, they foster an environment where radical ideas thrive, providing second chances and reducing recidivism while demonstrating that creativity knows no bounds. Through their work, ConCreates not only reshapes narratives but also champions the potential of individuals with criminal backgrounds to become valuable members of society.