GROWING TOGETHER: GEORGE's Journey Through Durham's Creative Ecosystem
The past few months have been nothing short of transformative for GEORGE moves you, and it's all thanks to Durham's incredible creative community. The name GEORGE carries deep meaning in our story – a legacy that began with my great-great-grandfather George, continued through my great-grandfather George, flowed through my grandfather Norman George Setter, and lives on through me as my middle name. GEORGE, derived from Greek, means "Earth Worker" – a fitting name for an agency dedicated to serving people and community through meaningful work on this earth. Just as this name represents a legacy across four generations in my family, our mission is to help small business owners create and nurture their own generational legacies, building foundations that will resonate through time and community. As we reflect on our journey, we're filled with gratitude for the collaborations, connections, and creative energy that define our beloved Bull City.
One of our most exciting collaborations has been with Club Clean, Durham's revolutionary cleaning service that's more than just maintenance – it's a protest against neglected nightlife and event spaces. Working alongside Nadiah, Club Clean's visionary founder, we're helping amplify her powerful message: "Where sanitation IS the vibe." This isn't just about cleaning bathrooms; it's about dignity, respect, and transforming the nightlife experience from the ground up.
Our upcoming logo refresh for Club Clean will visually capture the protest against dirty bathrooms. It will embody Club Clean's commitment to making sanitation an integral part of the nightlife experience, not an afterthought. The new visual identity will reflect how Club Clean is revolutionizing the industry by treating bathroom maintenance as an essential element of hospitality and the guest experience, particularly in Durham's vibrant nightlife and events scene.
This transformative project marks our first collaboration with Dylan Peevy of No Eraser, whose expertise in graphic design and 2D animation brings an additional layer of creative power to GEORGE's offerings. As we work together on Club Clean's visual identity, Dylan's innovative approach to design helps translate powerful messages into compelling visual stories. His ability to combine strategic graphic design with dynamic 2D animation opens new possibilities for how we can help mission-driven organizations capture and communicate their vision.
ReCity Network's digital transformation is more than just a website update—it's a testament to Durham's collaborative spirit in action. The refreshed platform now offers an enhanced user experience that better reflects ReCity's role as a catalyst for social impact. We're helping ReCity showcase the social innovation community more effectively through improved webpage flow and strategic visual updates.
A particularly exciting development within the ReCity ecosystem is Sam Bayer's groundbreaking work with the WIN/WIN Workshops. As Sam prepares for his upcoming TedX Duke presentation, we're collaborating to build a sustainable framework for community transformation. These workshops aren't just another training program – they're a methodical approach to improving how Durham's social impact leaders work together for societal betterment. Sam's initiative embodies ReCity's mission of fostering meaningful partnerships for positive change by creating a steady, structured pathway for collaboration.
In the heart of Old East Durham, we've had the privilege of helping launch a groundbreaking initiative that's redefining sustainable fashion in our community. Middle of May isn't just another vintage store – it's Durham's first Black-owned vintage subscription service, the Old East Durham Trunk Club. Working with the team to develop their digital presence at middleofmaythrift.com, we created a platform that captures the essence of their mission: making timeless style accessible to all while preserving the rich character of Old East Durham.
For $49.95 monthly, the Old East Durham Trunk Club offers a curated vintage experience that goes beyond traditional retail. Each subscriber receives 4-5 handpicked pieces that not only match their personal style but also tell a story of sustainability and community heritage. This innovative approach to fashion retail exemplifies how Durham businesses are leading the way in combining social impact with creative entrepreneurship.
None of this would be possible without our community of mentors and creative partners. Among them is Jordan Abdur-Ra'oof (Shot By J Bot), whose vision for "A Life Is Service" (lifeisservice.space) promises to bring a powerful new perspective to Durham's hospitality industry. As Jordan works to manifest his dream of a gallery showing in 2025, we're inspired by his mission to document the soul of service work – capturing the dignity and dedication of those who make our city's hospitality scene thrive. Yuri Vaysgant exemplifies the power of meaningful partnership. When he entrusted me with a vintage Nikon D750, it wasn't just about the camera – it was about believing in the power of visual storytelling to serve our community. Through her invaluable industry insights and purposeful photography, Stacey Sprenz's guidance has helped crystallize GEORGE's direction.
These early months have been particularly meaningful thanks to our founding supporters – Club Clean, Middle of May, No Eraser, and ReCity Network. Each partnership has evolved into a deeper understanding of how our services can amplify their impact.
With Club Clean, we're revolutionizing expectations around nightlife experiences.
Through Middle of May, we're helping preserve and share Durham's fashion heritage.
Alongside No Eraser, we are drawing outside the lines on the page.
And with ReCity Network, we're building stronger platforms for social innovation.
Durham, you continue to amaze us with your spirit of collaboration and community. There's so much more in development – partnerships, projects, and possibilities that make us proud to serve this vibrant city. We're just getting started, and the future looks bright for our collective impact. For our clients, for whom we are working on projects that are not mentioned, I can not wait to write about our victories together!
To everyone who's been part of this journey – from creative partners to early supporters – thank you for believing in our mission.
Together, we're not just moving forward; we're moving Durham Forward.
