We’ve got our mic, New Jersey! 🎤
We’re so thrilled to write our intro post for the first CreativeMornings chapter in New Jersey! That’s right: the Garden State is finally on the global creative map, and it’s starting right here in Montclair.
Why? Because this town is bursting at the seams with creative talent. We’ve got award-winning actors and bestselling authors, artists and musicians, multi-hyphenates and side-hustlers, all living on the same tree-lined streets. We’re the home of the Montclair Film Festival, the Montclair Literary Festival, Montclair Jazz Festival, Montclair Theater Festival, Montclair Art Museum…I can go on.
What we don’t have? A consistent, centralized, radically welcoming space to bring all these creative humans together. So… I did what any good community-builder would do: I applied for a chapter. Because Montclair (and northern NJ!) isn’t just ready - it’s hungry for this space.And counting on NJ Transit to get us to the NYC meetings by 8am each month? Fuggedaboutit.
🤔 So, what is CreativeMornings?
Local speakers. Coffee. Inspiration. New friends. Think TED Talk, but chill. Every month. Totally free.
CreativeMornings exists in 250+ cities in 70 countries, and we’re so proud to be one of them. You can learn more about CreativeMornings right here.
👋 Who’s the host & where will we meet?
Hi! I’m Michelle Ward (she/her) - the host of CreativeMornings/Montclair and your friendly neighborhood creative cheerleader. I started out in musical theater and then became a business coach for fellow creatives. For the last 15+ years, I’ve helped hundreds of my clients launch and grow businesses they love - and even found my way back to the stage after a decade away, making a point to belt it out in a community theater musical at least once a year.
Now I’m the Co-Founder and General Manager of RecRoom, a big, bright coworking and community space that’ll open here in Montclair this fall. It’ll be our chapter’s home base, but until then, we’ll be meeting in The Big Room at Lackawanna Station. Surrounded by murals from world-renowned and local artists, it’s the perfect place to meet cool people, hear a great talk, and remember you’re not in this alone.
That’s what we’re here for: a space to gather, share stories + wisdom + tips, get inspired, and feel less alone in the creative grind. Also? Caffeine.
🙋🏽 Wanna get involved?
📬 Sign up for updates in your inbox🧡 Follow us on Instagram
👩🏻💻 Create a profile (or update your current one!) with Montclair as your Home Chapter
✉️ Interested in sponsoring, speaking, or volunteering? Email us at montclair@creativemornings.com
