Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanita Greene.
Hi Chanita, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t creating. Some of my earliest memories are of drawing, painting, and turning ordinary things into something new. I still laugh when I think about getting in trouble for drawing on my clothes as a kid. Looking back, I guess those were some of my very first canvases.
My mom made sure I was always somewhere I could learn. Because she worked long hours, she enrolled me in after-care programs, summer camps, and I did every reading challenge at the public library. There I was constantly exposed to new experiences. Those spaces became some of my first classrooms. They introduced me to fashion design, music, horseback riding, Girl Scouts, STEM, leadership, and so much more. More importantly, they taught me that creativity could take many forms and that there wasn’t just one path to success.
Those experiences shaped the person I am today and are a big part of why I advocate so passionately for the arts and for young people. I know firsthand what can happen when a child is given the opportunity to explore, create, and simply be curious. Someone invested in me before I even understood the value of that investment, and now I feel a responsibility to help create those same opportunities for the next generation.
My journey hasn’t been traditional, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I attended Kent State University, where I studied Fashion Merchandising, before later attending art school to further develop my artistic practice. As my journey evolved, so did my education. I’ve continued learning through accelerator programs, professional certifications, workshops, mentorship, and by learning directly from artists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. Some of my greatest lessons have come through trial and error, creative risks, and real-world experience.
Living in Killeen, Texas, expanded my perspective in ways I never expected. I signed with a modeling agency, exhibited my artwork on several occasions, connected with an incredible community of creatives, and even joined a motorcycle club. It was a season that reminded me creativity isn’t confined to one discipline. It can exist on a canvas, in front of a camera, in business, in design, and in the way we choose to experience life.
Today, my work reflects all of those experiences. I’m an artist, entrepreneur, brand strategist, designer, and community advocate whose work lives at the intersection of creativity and impact. Whether I’m painting, helping entrepreneurs build brands, mentoring emerging creatives, or designing experiences that bring communities together, my mission remains the same: to create meaningful work that inspires people to see new possibilities for themselves.
When I look back, I don’t see a perfectly mapped-out journey. I see a collection of people, places, and opportunities that shaped the woman and artist I am today. That’s why I believe access matters. Sometimes all it takes is one program, one mentor, one class, or one person willing to believe in a young creative to change the course of a life. Mine is proof of that, and today I’m grateful that I get to be that person for someone else.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think anyone pursuing a creative career would honestly describe it as a smooth road, and if they did… they’re probably lying. (Laughs.) Life is about balance. There can’t be an up without a down, just as there can’t be success without challenges. Even if you make it to billionaire status, the struggles don’t disappear, they just evolve. Instead of worrying about how to pay the bills, maybe you’re saying, “Ugh, I don’t feel like counting all these zeros today. Let me call my accountant.” The point is that every stage of life comes with its own obstacles.
I say that to encourage anyone reading this to keep going. It may sound cliché, but you’ll never know what’s possible if you never take the first step. I used to believe that struggles simply helped you appreciate success. Now, I see them differently. I’ve realized that struggle and success are deeply intertwined. One doesn’t exist without the other. They shape one another, they coexist, and each has taught me lessons I couldn’t have learned any other way. I’ve learned to appreciate them both because they’ve each played an important role in the person I’m becoming.
Building a career in the arts often feels like creating the map while you’re walking it. There isn’t always a blueprint, especially when your creativity doesn’t fit neatly into one category. I’ve had moments where I questioned whether people would understand that I could be an artist, a designer, a brand strategist, an entrepreneur, and a community advocate all at once. Eventually, I realized I didn’t have to choose. The common thread has always been creativity. Once I stopped trying to fit into someone else’s definition of success, everything became more aligned.
Like many creatives, I’ve wrestled with wondering whether my work was good enough, whether people would understand my vision, or whether I was ready for the opportunities in front of me. Those thoughts don’t disappear as you grow; you simply learn not to let them make your decisions.
Financially, emotionally, and professionally, there have been moments that required resilience. I’ve invested in my own education, created opportunities when they didn’t exist, and learned that rejection isn’t always a closed door. Sometimes it’s simply redirection. Every challenge has sharpened my perspective, strengthened my confidence, and reminded me that the most meaningful growth rarely happens when everything is easy.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I’m a creative problem solver. Art may have been where my journey began, but over time I realized creativity isn’t limited to paint on a canvas. It can shape businesses, strengthen communities, tell stories, and create opportunities. That’s the approach I bring to everything I do.
Professionally, I serve as the Digital Innovations Specialist Manager at UBIZ Venture Capital, where I help entrepreneurs and small business owners access the tools, education, and resources they need to grow. My work spans marketing, branding, program development, technology, event planning, business strategy, and community engagement. Every day, I have the opportunity to combine creativity with purpose by helping people transform ideas into sustainable businesses.
That same passion extends into my volunteer work. I’m proud to serve as Vice President of Marketing for Black Data Processing Associates, an organization dedicated to advancing careers in technology. I also serve on the executive leadership team of a nationally recognized Young Professionals organization that is part of a more than 100-year legacy of leadership, advocacy, and community impact. Through these roles, I’ve helped lead marketing initiatives, community programming, professional development opportunities, and events that bring people together to learn, connect, and grow.
Service has always been one of the most meaningful parts of my work. Whether I’m organizing a community wellness event, speaking to college students about branding and entrepreneurship, volunteering at back-to-school drives, mentoring entrepreneurs, or teaching art, I believe creativity is meant to be shared. One of the greatest gifts we can give is our knowledge, our time, and our willingness to pour into someone else’s future.
What I’m most proud of isn’t one project or one title. It’s the ability to move between different worlds without losing sight of who I am. I can walk into a boardroom to discuss business strategy, spend the afternoon mentoring an entrepreneur, speak to students in a classroom, and end the day in my studio creating a new body of work. To me, those aren’t separate identities. They’re all different expressions of the same purpose.
I think what sets me apart is my belief that success becomes more meaningful when it’s shared. I’ve never been interested in creating only for myself. I want my work to open doors, spark ideas, and create opportunities for others. At the end of the day, I don’t measure success by the number of titles I hold. I measure it by the number of lives I’ve had the opportunity to impact. If I can leave every space a little more inspired, connected, and empowered than I found it, then I know I’m doing the work I was called to do.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
If I had to describe myself growing up in one word, it would be curious. I was the kid who constantly asked, “Why?” I wanted to understand how everything worked, why people thought the way they did, and why the world operated the way it did. I wasn’t trying to be difficult; I was genuinely fascinated by life. Looking back, I think that curiosity became the foundation for everything I do today as an artist, entrepreneur, and lifelong learner.
Academically, I did well in school because I genuinely loved learning. I enjoyed being challenged, asking questions, and discovering new ideas. I also played sports and was very involved socially. My mom always made sure I was enrolled in after-school programs, camps, and activities, so I was constantly meeting new people and trying new things. I was outgoing, easy to get along with, and built friendships with people from all walks of life. By my senior year, I was honored to be voted Prom Queen, which meant a lot to me because it represented the relationships I had built over the years.
At the same time, I’ve always felt like I had an old soul. I was surprisingly insightful for my age and often found myself thinking deeply about life. I had vivid dreams that seemed to come true more often than not, and I spent a lot of time observing people and noticing details others might overlook. Those qualities continue to influence both my artwork and the way I connect with others.
One thing that hasn’t changed is my sense of humor. People who know me will tell you I’m unintentionally funny, and I still joke that I probably should’ve been a comedian. I love making people laugh because I believe laughter has a way of bringing people together and making even difficult moments feel a little lighter.
Despite being social, I genuinely enjoyed my own company. I could spend hours reading, drawing, creating, or simply sitting with my thoughts. I never felt like I needed constant entertainment because my imagination was enough to keep me busy.
Ironically, I was also accident-prone. I wasn’t clumsy, but I had several experiences where things could have ended very differently, including falling several stories from a water slide as a child. Looking back, those moments gave me an even greater appreciation for life. They reminded me that our time here is precious and that we’re all here for a reason.
When I reflect on the little girl I used to be, I realize she’s still very much a part of who I am today. I’m still curious. I still ask questions. I still laugh often. I still believe there’s something to learn from everyone I meet. And I still wake up each day believing that my purpose is bigger than myself
Contact Info:
- Website: https://riseofaqueen.shop/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/returnofrise
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanita-greene-684a2028a
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@riseofaqueencle
