Hi, I’m afrikah.
Founder and Vision & Systems Artizen.
Creative OBM for Experience-Driven Entrepreneuers
I’m a theater-maker turned creative operations strategist, blending the discipline of dramaturgy with the flexibility of systems design. My work is rooted in a simple belief: Creative minds thrive when they have the right structure to support their vision.
With a background in new play development, producing, and freelance creative consulting, I’ve spent years helping artists and creators turn abstract ideas into tangible, impactful experiences. Now, I bring that same passion to digital creators, educators, and experience leaders—helping them build the systems, stories, and experiences that bring their work to life (without sacrificing your sanity).
The Simple Truth?
CREATIVE MINDS NEED STRUCTURE.
Your vision is more than just a dream; it's a connector. But let's be real: Inspiration alone isn't enough.
You can have the most profound idea in the world, but if your backend is a disaster and there’s no clear path, your community is going to bounce. You need a "home"—a solid foundation of systems and strategy that protects your energy and amplifies your voice.
I believe that the best ideas deserve the best systems. Whether you’re launching a podcast, designing a retreat, or producing an event, I help you build operations that support your artistry—so you can focus on what only you can do: create, connect, and inspire.
My approach is collaborative, intuitive, and tailored to your unique needs. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions—because your work is anything but generic.
THE BRIDGE BETWEEN VISION AND EXECUTION
Most creatives hire separate teams for the "vision" and the "logistics"—which usually results in a disconnect between your work’s spirit and your spreadsheet.
Think of me like a stage manager for your business: I make sure every element—from the script (your narrative) to the lighting (your systems)—works together so your audience (your community) only sees the magic.
Or, if you prefer, a doula for your visions, helping you bring them into the world with the right support, timing, and care.
As a Vision & Systems Artizen I blend:
The Vision Artizen: Drawing on my background as a dramaturg, arts critic, and producer, I help you deepen the narrative of your work. I ensure your mission is clear, your story resonates, and your "why" remains the compass for every decision.
The Systems Artizen: As a certified Digital Business Manager, I build the operational backbone you need to scale. From workflows, project planning, to team management, I create systems that honor your rhythms, side-step burnout, and allow your work to grow sustainably.
Basically: I make sure your business doesn't crash while you're trying to create a better world.
MY STORY
From THEATER KID to ARTIZEN
My work as an Artizen officially launched in 2026 with the founding of 9th Haus Artizen, but the roots go deeper.
For over six years, I thrived as a multihyphenate cultural worker, blending dramaturgy, arts journalism, and producing to turn abstract ideas into shared realities. My approach earned national recognition from organizations like the National New Play Network, Theater Communications Group, and the BIPOC Critics Lab.
These experiences gave me a unique lens: I don’t just see business processes—I see the human ecosystems behind them. I know how the smallest workflow detail can either stifle a community or help it flourish.
I spent years in the nonprofit arts world as a program manager, new play development producer, and generalist arts administrator. It was rewarding, but it demanded more than it gave back. And I burned out. Hard. I realized that while I loved the mission, the way we were working was unsustainable. I was trading my health for “impact”, and that wasn’t a trade I wanted to make anymore.
So, I took time to rest and explore. I worked as a TA at Harvard for Broadway directors, stage-managed new works and world premieres, and continued collaborating with playwrights. But I also recognized that my relationship with the arts was evolving. I wanted to support creative, purpose-driven people while honoring my own need for balance, sustainability, and the space to dream bigger.
Then, I discovered Digital Business Management—and realized the skills I’d honed in the arts (project management, creative problem-solving, systems thinking) were highly transferable. For the first time, I found language for what I’d been doing all along and a path to offer my skills in a new way.
I still do the same work—literary management, artistic programming, curriculum building—but now for creators, live events, and businesses that know their ideas, communities, and knowledge are visions worth building. And every vision needs a partner who speaks fluent whimsy and spreadsheet.
9th Haus Artizen is my embodied practice in blending purpose-driven online and in-person work. It’s my way of supporting community architects, visionaries, and business owners who see their work as a practice, not just a product.
the philosophy: Why “9Th Haus”?
9th Haus Artizen is inspired by my 9th house stellium in Aries – I’m passionate about creative mediums and experiences that invite us to learn, expand our worldviews, and grow.
In astrology, the ninth house governs higher wisdom, universal truths, and the expansion of consciousness. It is the house where we take in the long view, build bridges between worlds, and seek the beliefs that guide us.
There’s also a play on words:
Haus (House): A sanctuary for your systems, your values, and your community—a home built together.
Artizen (Artisan + Citizen): The dual identity of the modern creator. We are Artisans devoted to the craft, and Citizens committed to the common good—because great work should also do good.
When we align our values with our work, we create the paths to bring it to life with clarity and intention. Our businesses become spaces where connection, presence, and depth flourish.(And, of course, where you can actually take a lunch break.)
HOW I WORK
No matter our collaboration, I lead by inquiry. Every project is guided by three questions that inform how we build and create a shared vocabulary together:
What is the goal or purpose of what we are hoping to achieve?
Is the process sustainable?
Is it aligned with the vision?
Collaborating through this lens keeps the work meaningful, compass-driven, and rooted in creating impact. What sets me apart isn’t just my process—it’s the intention behind it. I take the time to understand, explore, and build at each step.
SYSTEMS THINKING
Every aspect of your work is part of an ecosystem. From daily rhythms and routines to customer experiences, I look at how the pieces connect—mapping the relationships and challenges that keep your business sustainable and your vision intact.
HUMAN-CENTERED INTENTION
Regardless of your business, you are a human who deserves rest and recharge. I bring thoughtful, human-centered strategies that anchor your humanity and create structures that protect space for focus, depth, and quality work without the chaos of “hustle.“
Compassionate LEADERSHIP
You don't have to choose between a supportive environment and high standards. I run a "tight ship" with empathy, holding you accountable to your vision while ensuring the process feels human.
In Practice
If your business were a house, your vision is what builds a neighborhood.
Your neighborhood is your audience, your collaborators, and your people. The right neighbors don’t appear by accident. They appear because you showed up and built something worth finding. (And because you didn’t ghost them with a poorly organized email list.)
You’re not only offering solutions, an experience, or education—you’re also building lasting relationships with audiences, students, partners, and the broader community. When we work together, we’ll build a secure foundation where the work can breathe, connect, and invite the neighbors in.
Beyond the systems and strategy, I am an active artist, dramaturg, and cultural connector. My own creative work is a living laboratory for the 9th Haus philosophy—exploring how craft, storytelling, and community intersect.