Cynthia Marks, host of And Now Love and head of the Holistic Psychoanalysis Foundation, speaks with Brandon Dean Johnson, CEO of Create Now, about the power of art to open doors for underserved youth across Los Angeles. Brandon shares how a love of animation began at age eight, how he pursued graphic design and fine arts at Elizabeth City State University despite early discouragement, and how his path took him from teaching art in Europe to rebuilding after a brief period of homelessness in Los Angeles.

He also reflects on his six years as a volunteer with Create Now before becoming CEO in 2021, and discusses how he continues to develop his own creative projects while leading the organization forward.

In this episode, Brandon explains the origins of Create Now under founder Jill Gurr and its mission since 1996 to provide free arts programming for young people up to age 24 through more than 150 partner schools, shelters, and community agencies across LA County. He also speaks about the realities of nonprofit work, including funding challenges and the impact of crises such as wildfires and ICE raids on the communities they serve.

From tailored classes and cultural field trips to career fairs and partnerships with organizations like Discovery Cube and the LA Clippers, this conversation highlights how Create Now is using creativity not just as expression, but as access, support, and possibility.