Carla Appleberry

I attribute my success to persistence, adaptability, passion, and creativity, as well as my refusal to give up when circumstances change. Throughout my journey, I have learned that challenges often require us to adjust our approach rather than abandon our vision. The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, taught me the importance of being flexible and recognizing when it is time to change direction. I have continued to evolve my organization, embrace new opportunities, and find innovative ways to serve young people through media and the performing arts. Ultimately, my willingness to keep learning, adapt to new circumstances, and remain committed to my purpose has been instrumental in my growth and success.

The best career advice I have received has come from the many community partners, educators, creatives, parents, and professionals I have encountered throughout my journey. Each relationship has taught me something valuable about leadership, collaboration, resilience, and the importance of remaining open to learning. As I continue growing Creations Berkeley and expanding its impact, I believe it is equally important to seek out new mentors, build meaningful professional relationships, and remain committed to personal and professional development.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to remain open to learning, be willing to evolve, and never be afraid to ask for help. Entrepreneurship and leadership often require you to develop skills outside of your original area of expertise, whether that involves managing a team, fundraising, grant writing, or building partnerships. I have learned that changing direction does not mean you have failed; sometimes adapting your approach is exactly what allows your larger vision and mission to continue. Stay committed to your purpose, give yourself permission to grow, and understand that every challenge can be an opportunity to learn and become a stronger leader.

One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is creating long-term financial sustainability for youth arts and media programming. Securing donors, developing strong grant-writing skills, and building dependable funding streams are essential to expanding the opportunities we provide. At the same time, I see tremendous potential for growth through partnerships with schools, community organizations, media outlets, and other creative professionals. I am especially excited about expanding our television and media programming, developing new performance opportunities, and exploring possibilities connected to Berkeley’s historic Black Repertory Theater. My goal is to build strong partnerships and resources that will allow Creations Berkeley to reach more young people and give them meaningful opportunities to learn, perform, create, and tell their stories.

The values that are most important to me, both personally and professionally, are community, creativity, perseverance, representation, education, and opportunity. I believe every young person deserves access to experiences that help them recognize their potential and imagine possibilities beyond what they may have previously considered achievable. As a mother and entrepreneur, I understand the importance of creating opportunities even when resources are limited, and I am committed to making sure young people see themselves represented in the arts, media, and creative industries. My passion for dance, storytelling, youth development, and community impact continues to inspire me to create programs that combine education with creativity and give young people hands-on opportunities to perform, produce, report, and use their voices.