Linzy George’s story didn’t begin in Richmond, but that’s where her passion for community involvement continues to grow. As the new host of CreativeMornings Richmond, she helps foster a space where diverse stories spark creativity, build supportive relationships among attendees and lay the groundwork for collaboration. 

CreativeMornings is a free monthly breakfast lecture series for creatives around the world. Across 70 countries, 255 chapters meet each month. In Richmond, each event features a new speaker who shares their story or journey in an intimate setting designed to build a more creative community. 

“At CreativeMornings, we have different speakers and different audiences,” George said. “Your life story has many versions. We are layers of our experiences. Inspiration comes from our experiences. We’re not defined by them, but they are a part of us.” 

Born in India and raised in New York, Richmond wasn’t on George’s radar until a job opportunity brought her here. She expected to stay only a short time, but 20 years later, she’s still in the city. She and her husband, another big-city transplant, have made their home in Bon Air, which she says reminds her of her hometown in upstate New York. They have raised three children; two are in college and one is living at home. 

George came to the U.S. at age 5 after living with her grandparents in India while her parents immigrated to find jobs and a home. Her grandfather recorded her voice on cassette tapes to send to her parents as they settled in America. As an immigrant, she had to navigate the balance between her Indian culture and life in the U.S. 

“I went from South India to the South Bronx at age 5,” she said. “People would make fun of my parents’ accent. Growing up in New York, I wasn’t Indian enough or American enough. Younger me didn’t embrace who we were.” 

George’s family later moved to Nyack, New York, where she enjoyed being surrounded by her large extended family. She earned a bachelor’s in organizational management from the State University of New York at Binghamton. Those early bonds with family and friends keep her connected to New York, and she still stays in touch with a friend from second grade. 

“Community is big in Indian culture,” she said. “I didn’t know how special my bubble was then.” 

George has built a career in marketing, brand management and communications, with storytelling as a common thread. She is now the chief strategy officer at the United Way of Greater Richmond. 

“I’ve been there for a year to amplify the organization’s work,” she said. “It’s aligned with everything I believe in. I’m a professional dot connector. The beautiful collision of all this is my career.” 

What is CreativeMornings? 

It’s a breakfast lecture series — a space for creativity and inspiration. It started in New York City, and now there are 255 chapters worldwide. The Richmond chapter began in 2016, and we meet every third Friday of the month from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Each month, a different speaker shares their journey, leaving you inspired to continue yours. 

When was Creative Mornings founded? 

It was founded in Brooklyn, New York, in 2008. 

How long have you been involved with the series? 

Since 2008, when they started in Brooklyn. I was working with an agency in Atlanta when they started the chapter there and, in 2017, I heard about the chapter in Richmond. I wanted to be a part of it. I worked on the communications team for a while. 

What is CreativeMornings’ purpose? 

Everyone is creative, and everyone is welcome. You can find your people, every month, gathering in 255 cities across 70 countries, for free. 

What programs does CreativeMornings offer? 

Our focus is really on the once-a-month breakfast. We have a newsletter that highlights what people are up to. We also do Community 360, where three people get 60 seconds to tell their story. 

What kind of speakers do you have at CreativeMornings? 

We’ve had chefs, boxers and artists. It’s about hearing someone else’s journey. Our next speaker is Michael Millions, a local rapper, songwriter and engineer. 

What’s special about CreativeMornings? 

It’s more than just coffee, creativity and inspiration. It’s about connecting with the community. People feel inspired to show up as themselves. We believe in the power of community. When you get into a room and leave your title at the door, so many things can happen. It’s our superpower. We really pride ourselves on that. There’s always a waitlist. It’s free, but we want to keep it small enough to connect with people. 

Who should get involved in CreativeMornings? 

Everyone! If you are stuck, this is the place for you. If you’re looking for inspiration, it’s the place for you. If you want to grow and evolve, this is the place for you. Come and get inspired by other people’s journeys. It’s for anyone in the messy middle or anyone who’s overcome the messy middle. Tickets are released at 8:04 a.m. on the Monday before the event. 

What are some examples of the inspiration you’ve seen at CreativeMornings? 

There was a woman at one of our lectures — an artist and empty nester — who had put her art on hold to raise her children. I ran into her a few years later and she told me that she had just gotten her first commission. 

How is CreativeMornings funded? 

Creative Mornings is built on volunteer power, with 10 volunteer organizers. Each chapter is a 501(c)(3), so we have some local partnerships that fund breakfasts and venues. Frontier, a consultancy in town, is one of our in-kind partners. We are seeking more local funding but, globally, Adobe supports Creative Mornings. 

How do you start the day? 

I start with a really deep breath and most days I’m thankful that I’m still here. All of it involves coffee. 

What do you do in your downtime? 

I love being with my kids, going for walks, being outside, staring at the James River or just sitting with a friend. 

What inspires you?

I get inspired by seeing others inspired. It fuels me. 

What are some causes that are important to you?

The arts, culture, children, humanitarian relief, education, human rights, science and technology. 

Who has influenced you the most?

My parents — my mom’s silent strength and my dad’s drive. The immigrant story and my parents’ sacrifices resonate with me so much now. 

What’s next?

I am just being present — letting things fall where they do and being curious about what’s next. I’d love to explore what that means to other people, and taking the helm of CreativeMornings is the space where I want to continue doing that.