Kristyn Potter
Kristyn Potter and Rebecca Sansom at A2IM's Indie Week
Kristyn Michelle Potter, a vibrant creative force and entrepreneur, passed away unexpectedly in Lisbon, Portugal in March 2024. Born and raised in Missouri, Kristyn made her mark on the world through her innovative work in media, marketing, and the arts.
Kristyn was the founder and creative director of Potterworks Creative, a brand and content studio based in Brooklyn and Lisbon that served venture-backed companies in healthcare, education, social impact, and nonprofit organizations. Her visionary leadership and creative talents earned her recognition from Forbes magazine.
In 2014, Kristyn founded Left Bank Magazine, an international print and online culture publication that showcased underrepresented artists and entrepreneurs. She later expanded this initiative to include Left Bank Live, one of the world's first pandemic-era global virtual festivals, which gained attention from The Guardian and Popdust.
Kristyn's passion for inclusivity and representation led her to create Chez Nous Guide, the first global directory and travel guide for locating POC-, woman-, and LGBTQIA+-owned businesses. This groundbreaking project was featured in Fast Company and Refinery29, among other publications.
Her professional journey included roles at prestigious companies such as Google, Getty Images, and New York Magazine, where she honed her skills in marketing, copywriting, and content creation. Kristyn's work consistently demonstrated her commitment to amplifying diverse voices and fostering creativity.
A graduate of Truman State University with a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Journalism, Kristyn furthered her education with a Master's degree from Webster University in St. Louis. Her time at Truman State was marked by active involvement in numerous organizations, including the Society of Professional Journalists and the Women's Resource Center.
Kristyn's vibrant spirit, innovative mind, and dedication to creating positive change in the world will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and the many lives she touched through her work. She leaves behind a legacy of creativity, inclusivity, and entrepreneurship that will continue to inspire others in the fields of media, marketing, and the arts.
The 4th Annual Wavy Awards, set to take place on September 14, 2024, at the Abrons Arts Center in NYC, will honor Kristyn Michelle Potter's legacy by presenting the inaugural Kristyn Potter Award for Exceptional Activism Through the Arts to ALOK[1][3]. This special recognition celebrates Potter's commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity in the arts, a mission that aligns closely with the Wavy Awards' dedication to celebrating historically excluded and marginalized talent.
The event will begin with a red carpet reception at 5 PM, followed by the awards show at 6:30 PM, and an afterparty at 9 PM[3]. This year's ceremony continues to receive support from the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, enabling essential accessibility components such as ASL interpreters.
The Wavy Awards, founded in 2021, has quickly become a significant platform for recognizing diverse voices in the music industry, including women, non-binary individuals, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and artists with disabilities[3]. By introducing the Kristyn Potter Award, the organization further cements its commitment to honoring those who use their artistic platforms for meaningful activism and social change.
Citations:
[1] https://thewavys.org/nominees24
[2] https://www.abronsartscenter.org/calendar
[3] https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-4th-annual-wavy-awards-tickets-999729958217
[4] https://blogs.truman.edu/commspotlight/2018/01/30/potter20180130/
[5] https://pt.linkedin.com/in/kristynpotter
[6] https://thewavys.org/upcoming-events
