ABOUT US
Create Campaign, Inc. is a minority business development nonprofit
that is advancing inclusion in entrepreneurship.
The nonprofit has evolved from a half-day entrepreneurship forum in 2015
to a leading and trusted innovator providing culturally-relevant business training,
technical assistance and microlending funds to diverse entrepreneurs.
With a sole focus on building strong, minority-owned businesses,
Create Campaign and its partners are closing gaps and removing barriers of entry
to ensure that minority entrepreneurs have access to resources and knowledge
to experience the fullness of business ownership in ways that can
lead to generational wealth and sustainability.
Together, we make the difference.
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Our Mission:
Activating urban entrepreneurs in the Midwest to launch, innovate and grow
Our Vision:
To serve as the hub of minority business development, growth and innovation in the Midwest
THE CONTEXT THAT FRAMES OUR WORK
MINORITY FOUNDERS
HISTORICALLY OVERLOOKED.
SYSTEMICALLY, UNDERVALUED.
African-American and Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs
do not have the same business start and growth experience as their peers in the Kansas entrepreneurship community.
The impact of historic and systemic factors have created barriers that
have delayed the full development of robust minority-owned firms.
Create Campaign commits to developing sustainable pathways and solutions to help minority entrepreneurs gain access to information, capital and resources that can lead to generational wealth-building.
OUR FOUNDER
CHRISTINA M. LONG
President/CEO, Create Campaign, Inc.
Christina M. Long is an entrepreneur and community-builder.
The Wichita native brings more than 20 years of communication and design experience to CML Collective, LLC, her graphic design and communication services company that she launched in 2013 after successful careers in education and journalism reporting for The Wichita Eagle.
Among her numerous honors, Christina was named the Kansas Minority Business Advocate by the Kansas Department of Commerce's Office of Minority and Women Business in 2018.
Connect with Christina | via email and on social at @cmlcollective
OUR STAFF
Cassandra Enlow
Chief of Staff, CML Collective, LLC serving Create Campaign, Inc.
Cassandra Enlow serves as the Chief of Staff of CML Collective LLC serving Create Campaign, Inc. She came to CML Collective as the Public Relations Specialist in 2021. Cassandra oversees daily operations and staffing.
She began her professional career in education at Hamilton Middle School in 2015 where she served as a Family Engagement Liaison, helping to close the gap between school and family. She was also an active member of USD 259’s Family Engagement Leadership Workforce. This group collaborated, through intense research, to develop today’s Family Engagement Standards for Wichita Public Schools. In 2020, she pivoted and began her entrepreneurial journey with The Goodt(Good) Services, a luxury assistance organization. Under this company, she offered premium child care assistance at an affordable price, virtual administrative assistance, and on set/staging assistance. She is also the CEO of All Angles 360, a 360 event photo booth company.
Cassandra attended Wichita East High School in Wichita, KS and graduated in 2009. Pursuing a career in Mortuary Science, Cassandra attended Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, MO and Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, KS in 2010. She has received state recognition for several written publications and district recognition for her informative and transformative customer service training.
Connect with Cassandra via email.
IESHA HENDERSON
Graphic Designer, Create Campaign, Inc.
Iesha Henderson, a Wichita native and Derby resident, brings graphic design and communication services talent to Create Campaign, Inc. In addition to enhancing Create Campaign's branding, Henderson also provides client and event support.
Henderson joined Create Campaign in 2019 in a contractual role and became the organization's first staff member in 2020. Henderson earned her BA in graphic design from Wichita State University.
What she hopes to accomplish with Create Campaign? - "to gain as much knowledge as I can being in the professional field of graphic design. I not only want to expand myself, but to also help Create Campaign grow and help others further their businesses and help them as much as I can creatively. I hope in the future be able to train others on how to further expand their business."
alejo cabral
Spark Program Director, Create Campaign, Inc.
Alejo Cabral a first generation American, the son of two immigrant parents, the youngest sibling of three, and husband to a wonderful wife. He was born and raised in Chula Vista, California but has called Wichita his home for the last ten years. Over the last five years Alejo has been a valuable team member at the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, where he oversaw the rebranding and expansion of talent efforts like W (formerly Young Professionals of Wichita), #internICT, Group Mentoring, and laid the foundation for Campus Wichita.
Alejo Cabral sees himself as a door stop, working to ensure opportunities remain open and available for underrepresented professionals, organizations, and communities. In addition to the work he has done at the Chamber Alejo also serves on community boards like the City of Wichita Board of Park Commissioners, Arts Partners Wichita, the Wichita Art Museum, and Wichita Parks Foundation.
Connect with Alejo via email.
SANA CHRISTMANn
Spark Program Coordinator, Create Campaign, Inc.
Sana Christmann, a Texas native, joined Create Campaign as the Spark Program Associate and is now serving as the Spark Program Coordinator. In this role, she'll provide supportive and instructional services to all Spark Community Business Academy cohorts and Spark related programming in Wichita and expansion markets.
Sana, who graduated from Spark's third cohort, is the owner of The Whitening Bar and has served other Wichita-area small businesses including The Hive and Xclusive Events. She is an avid traveler and athletic enthusiast, having played prep volleyball, softball and soccer for North High. She also plays co-ed sports as an adult. She's interested in pursuing touch/flag football in the near future.
Sana is the mother of two beautiful children and is looking forward to helping other minority businesses find and foster the support that is needed to be successful in business in her role with Create Campaign, Inc.
Connect with Sana via email.
KARINA CASTAÑEDA
Administrative Assistant, Create Campaign, Inc.
I am Karina Castañeda, an immigrant originally and proudly from Mexico, where I was born and raised. When I was in high school, I was passionate about sports. I was the volleyball team captain for a couple of years and a few years later I decided to join the track and field team of Pioneers based in Tijuana B.C. where I discovered my skill in javelin throw. I proudly represented my native country in the Central American and Caribbean Games, held in El Salvador, San Salvador, in 1996. Later, I moved to California and I lived there for twenty years. I recently moved to Wichita to be close to my siblings. I am a mother of four beautiful children and enjoy being around them in my spare time.
My professional career started four years ago due to my passion for math. I attended Santa Ana College where I earned my certificate in general accounting and bookkeeping. At the beginning of this year, I was introduced to this great organization, Create Campaign, where I found a new opportunity to develop myself in the administrative area. As an administrative assistant, I see myself assisting entrepreneurs to develop, launch, and accomplish their goals by connecting them to resources that this wonderful organization provides. I want to ensure that all minority business owners get connected and informed about strategies that make their businesses successful.
Connect with Karina via email.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOSHUA ENLOW
Board Chair
Owner/Founder
ProTech
Mitch Binns
Vice Chair
Wichita Market Leader,
McCownGordon
Fabrice metan
Treasurer
Owner/Lead Accountant
Simplify My Numbers
zach wiggins
Secretary
Attorney
Martin Pringle
GARY OBORNY
Director
President/CEO
Occidental Management
michele valadez
Director
Entrepreneur
Community Affairs Program Manager
Evergy
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JENNI HEARTFIELD
Director
Investment Operations Associate
6 Meridian
Shawn whisenhant
Director
AVP, Commercial Banking, Banking 360
Fidelity Bank
Dioane gates
Director
KLC Field Team Member
Entrepreneur
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OLIVIA S. DEMPSEY
Director
Attorney
Hite, Fanning and
Honeyman, L.L.P.
Shawn BAUMAN
Director
Founder
Bauman Advisory Group
OUR
ADVISORS
Aaron Bastian
President
Fidelity Bank
JAY SMITH
Retired, President
INTRUST Bank
FRANKIE KIRKENDOLL
Director, Operations and Community Engagement,
Urban League of Kansas
dell gines
Vice President
International Economic Development Corp.
STEVE RADLEY
CEO
NetWork Kansas
Darrius Wright
President
Kansas Business Services, LLC
JASON HOOD
Director, Human Resources
City of Wichita
DAVE SEILER
VP Operations and Compliance
Koch Minerals and Trading
coleen jennison
Kansas Market Vice President
Cox Communications, Inc.
WHAT ENTREPRENEURS
ARE SAYING ABOUT CREATE CAMPAIGN
The Wichita Cheesecake Company
AB&C Bilingual Resources
- I am so grateful to have had an opportunity to attend a Create Campaign forum. I discovered several valuable resources and it was comforting to know that there is a great support system for small business owners here in Wichita.
- When I hear the words Create Campaign I think small business empowerment; small business information; build your network. I have learned the difference between a small business and a hobby. I have several new contacts and ideas on how to create my new small business when I'm ready. Knowledge is power. I had no idea there was so much help here for small business development!
- I look forward each year because it inspires me to set goals and follow my dreams.
- I must find funding. It's time for me to take off. I am grateful for the access of information.
- ...it helped me really understand the next steps I need to take to grow my business.
- Our company would not exist without Create Campaign!
WHAT OUR PARTNERS ARE SAYING ABOUT CREATE CAMPAIGN
“The Create Campaign has been a tremendous source of support for the Center for Entrepreneurship’s efforts to bring early stage ideas into the innovation ecosystem being built in this community.
The Create Campaign helps identify and develop these entrepreneurs and make them aware of the resources available to them. “
MARK TORLINE - BUSINESS LEADER, FORMER DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY
“We have found the Create Campaign to be one of the most effective ways to connect African American and other under-served entrepreneurs with resources that help them start or grow their businesses."
STEVE RADLEY - PRESIDENT/CEO, NETWORK KANSAS
“Working with Christina and the Create Campaign has allowed us to better understand the needs of the minority business owner community and while there is still work to be done by professional service firms in the business community, the Create Campaign continues to be a guiding light and inspiration for all of us.” – Richard Stevens, Attorney at Law
RICHARD STEVENS - ATTORNEY
OUR LEAD PARTNERS AND SPONSORS
NetWork Kansas is growing an entrepreneurial environment in Kansas by cultivating resources to start and grow small businesses. We are a statewide network of non-profit business-building resources that help entrepreneurs and small business owners startup and grow successful businesses.
Fidelity Bank is committed to providing exceptional service to all of our customers. As the second largest locally owned financial institution in Wichita, Kansas and a growing presence in Oklahoma City and Overland Park, we provide customers with a wide array of quality financial services.
Spirit AeroSystems
Spirit AeroSystems, with headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, USA, is one of the world’s largest non-OEM designers and manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial and defense aircraft. In addition to its Wichita facilities, Spirit has locations in Tulsa and McAlester, Oklahoma; Kinston, North Carolina; Prestwick, Scotland; Subang, Malaysia; and Saint-Nazaire, France. The company’s core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components. Additionally, Spirit provides maintenance, repair and overhaul services.
Koch Industries
Our life’s work is to help people improve their lives by making and innovating products and services our customers value. Our focus is on delivering mutual benefit: Win-win outcomes that make life better for customers and employees alike.
INTRUST Bank
At INTRUST Bank, we place our values at the center of everything we do.
It's a philosophy we've followed for more than 140 years.
This principled approach to business is encapsulated into three words:
Tradition for Today. These three words embody who we are and how we are different.
The Kansas Health Foundation
At the Kansas Health Foundation, all of our work centers on our mission: To improve the health of all Kansans. We envision a culture in which every Kansan can make healthy choices where they live, work and play.
6 Meridian
Chart a path to greater prosperity. At 6 Meridian, we do more than wealth management. We help you achieve your goals, for the present and future generations.
BMO is a leading North American bank driven by a single purpose: to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. Our Purpose informs our strategy, drives our ambition, and reinforces our commitments to progress: for a thriving economy, a sustainable future and an inclusive society.
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Ewing Marion Kauffman believed every person has the opportunity to be uncommon and take risks to achieve success.
Entrepreneurship
We work with entrepreneurs, empower them with tools and resources, and work to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses.
our partners
The Create Campaign enjoys a strong partner network.
Some of our partners include:
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