COURTNEY RICHARDSON:

AWARD-WINNING

CREATIVE POWERHOUSE.

FOR THE CULTURE.

A pop culture expert and award-winning multidisciplinary creative, Courtney is currently Creative Director at Droga5 and Founder of the Museum of Nail Art (opening 2024). She credits her early beginnings watching her uncle direct music videos for the Wu-Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg, Master P & No Limit Records and others with igniting her passion for storytelling and birthing her creative intuitions.

Formerly of PAPER Magazine, it was there she led original ideas and disruptive campaigns for brands like Nike, Samsung, American Express, GAP, Target, Hulu, HBO, VH1, BET, AMC, Sorel, Uniqlo and more; while working with celebrities including Zendaya, Issa Rae, Lena Waithe, Taraji P. Henson, Tiffany Haddish, Laverne Cox, Michaela Coel, Janelle Monáe, Colin Kaepernick and others. A cultural conduit, she also spearheaded the editorial PAPER series, BOOKED x BUSY, a popular column spotlighting Black-owned brands and Black entrepreneurs.

Courtney’s proven strengths in producing effective brand campaigns, media engaged events and thoughtful strategies have not only outshined competition but have also allowed culture to have a platform. Her passion for entertainment, beauty, fashion and philanthropy are evident throughout the work she produces and reflects who she is.

Courtney has been featured by outlets, including PBS, AdWeek, Ad Age, Muse by Clio, PopSugar, Bustle, Refinery29, EBONY Magazine, XONecole, CBS Morning News and more. Her creative thinking has also been acknowledged, praised and sought after by none other than the one and only, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.

Driven and focused, Courtney’s life goal is to uplift humanity, particularly Black women and creatives of color. She truly believes in radiating self-love and spreading positivity. The world needs more love, so she aims to put forth that philosophy first in everything that she does. 

HONORS/AWARDS/MERITS

  • GRAPHIS Advertising Awards - Juror (2024)

  • London Int'l Awards - TV/Film Juror (2024)

  • ADCOLOR Awards - Jury President (2024)

  • Webby Awards - Media & Branded Content in Film Nominee for ‘Generational Queens’ (2024)

  • Cannes Lions Shortlist - Entertainment & Music for ‘Generational Queens’ (2024)

  • AICP Show Winner - Licensed Soundtrack or Arrangement: ‘Generational Queens’ (2024)

  • London Int’l Awards - Creative LIAisons Mentor (2024)

  • A Dose of Black Joy & Caffeine Season 8, Ep. 154 - Guest (2024)

  • Campaign US - 11 Creatives on Culturally Relevant Campaigns (2024)

  • Advertising Research Foundation’s CultureConnect - Guest (2024)

  • Colgate SophoMORE Connections - Keynote Speaker (2024)

  • Telly Awards - Interactive & Mixed Media Jury (2024)

  • Anthem Awards - GOLD in Health for Best Influencer Collaboration: “Black Don’t Crack” (2024)

  • Anthem Awards - SILVER in Health for Film/TV/Video/Show: “Black Don’t Crack” (2024)

  • Created for Creatives Podcast - Guest (2024)

  • Telly Awards, "Hot Takes" Series - Expert (2023)

  • PBS, "Changemakers" - Expert (2023)

  • Cannes Lions Shortlist - Film: 'Generational Queens' (2023)

  • GM x MACRO Executive Academy - Inaugural Cohort (2023)

  • ADCOLOR x Electronic Arts Champion (2023)

  • Where Are All the Black Ppl - Panel Finalist (2023)

  • London Int'l Awards - TV/Film Juror (2023)

  • Meta Black History Month Series - Expert (2023)

  • Creative Collective NYC - '22 Creative Class Inductee

  • Campaign US Female Frontier Awards - 'Conquering Creativity' Honoree (2022)

  • ADCOLOR LEADER - Inaugural Class (2022)

  • ONE School - Guest Lecturer (2022)

  • 16th Annual ADCOLOR Awards Jury - Member (2022)

  • D5in10 Fireside Chat - Guest Speaker (2022/2023)

  • London Int'l Awards - TV/Film Juror (2022)

  • Alliance for Women in Media - Gracie Awards Judging Council (2022)

  • Telly Awards - Jury Council (2022)

  • D&AD Awards - Entertainment Juror (2022)

  • CLIO Awards - Film Juror (2022)

  • ONE School - Mentor (2021; Present)

  • Black Women in Media Awards - Trailblazer Honoree (2021)

  • ADCOLOR x One Club - CREATIVE OF THE YEAR (2021)

  • Summit Creative Awards - SILVER in 'Best Public Service Campaign' (2021)

  • Webby Awards - Public Service & Activism Honoree (2021)

  • Telly Awards - SILVER in 'Best Branded Content for Public Awareness'(2021)

  • Black Girls 4 Gratitude - WOMEN WORTH WATCHING Honoree (2021)

  • ADC Awards - SHORTLIST in 'Best Magazine Cover' for Publication Design (2021)

  • MUSE Creative Awards - PLATINUM in 'Best Magazine Cover Series' (2021)

  • MUSE Creative Awards - GOLD in 'Best Activism Video' (2021)

  • Brandies - 'Better World Award' Nominee (2021)

  • American Advertising Awards - GOLD Addy in 'Best Social Responsibility Film' (2021)

  • Gracie Awards Judging Council (2021)

  • Davey Awards - GOLD in 'Best Motivational TV/Film' (2020)

  • ADCOLOR Awards - 'Ad of the Year' Nominee (2020)

  • Black in Corporate - Mentor (2020; 2021)

  • The Well - 150 Dope Women, Doing Dope Things (2019)

  • Shorty Awards - Hashtag Campaign & Social Good Winner (2015)

  • Adrian Awards - 3x Silver & Bronze for Campaign of the Year (2011-2013)