Shanté Rhea
FOUNDER | CREATIVE DIRECTOR | ARTIST
Born and raised in Austin, Texas, I have always called central Texas home. In 2019, I graduated from The University of Texas, with a BBA in Management and a minor in African & African American Diaspora Studies.
My professional journey has been deeply rooted in the world of startups and venture capital. Since 2020, I've worked for early-stage venture capital firms, overseeing deal flow and portfolio management with a strong focus on investing in companies led by historically under-resourced Founders. Currently, I am a Strategic Partnerships Manager at Black Girl Ventures. At BGV, I manage partnerships that help founders scale their businesses and create lasting impact.
The journey of bringing The Creative Freedom Project to life started back in 2022 during my time as a Notley Fellow. During the 2 year fellowship, I spent time researching the role that art plays in personal and communal well-being. What CFP is now officially emerged in October 2023.
In the last few years, I have reacquainted myself with the creative curiosity that was present in my childhood. Guided by my curiosity, I believe that no creative outlet should be off-limits. The more you allow yourself to discover and create, the more connected and grounded you become with the life energy that connects us all.
A Letter from the Founder
Hi! I’m Shanté Rhea,
I started The Creative Freedom Project to help people live more creatively fulfilling lives.
On November 15, 2022, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer from an accidental find in a scan two weeks prior. Three weeks later I was in surgery and I spent the month of December away from work to heal. On the other side of this experience was the beginning of a spiritual and emotional healing journey rooted in creative expression.
The Creative Freedom Project is personal for me. My liberation is being found through nurturing my creative spirit, and my healing is both somatic and communal.
I was afraid and hesitant to call myself an artist/creative, but now I can't think of a better way to describe myself. I want that for you! If you're interested in cultivating a life of creative expression and aren't sure how to start, or if you're looking to build community, then The Creative Freedom Project is for you.
CFP is designed to help you explore and dismantle the self-limiting beliefs that keep you from living the creative life you desire.
My goal is to cultivate a community of people who create without shame, and who move through life with audacity and authenticity. The world does not need more billionaires, we need more healing, healers, artists, and creative activists. Living a fully expressed life is a radical act, but that is my hope for you.
With love & in community,
Shanté