This isn’t goodbye, it’s good morning.

I am stepping down as host of CreativeMornings after founding our Tucson chapter more than 3 years ago. My friend and co-host Jen Mead is graciously taking the baton, with the backing of her co-host Emily Pratt and an incredible team of volunteers.

In 3 years, we have gathered and shared in coffee and conversation 36 times. A handful of you have attended almost all of them. More than 800 of you have been to at least one.

We met new people and gained a greater sense of connection, something the pandemic proved cannot be taken for granted.

We practiced empathy and understanding and experienced good vibes in ways that seem increasingly rare in a world full of echo chambers and epic clap backs.

We absorbed new knowledge and discovered the oft hidden heroes among us who use creativity to help solve the challenges we face both locally and globally.

We learned that creativity is foundational to the human experience and that we are all creatives.

And we affirmed Tucson has one of the most fascinating and inspiring creative communities in the world, a fact we should not only embrace with confidence but evangelize with conviction every chance we get.

I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished so far and what will evolve beyond my stewardship. I know our chapter will only continue to grow stronger.

I am stepping down because my new primary home will be in Washington, DC. But I will still be in town often and involved in this chapter however I can be. My company BRINK still calls Tucson home as does a giant piece of my heart.So good morning to all you fine folks. I’ll see you at a future event.–Josh Belhumeur