Community Building: The Power of Speaking Each Other’s Names

Janiya Woolfork
7 days ago
3 min read

Alone means having no one else present. Everyone has felt this feeling at least once in their life—starting a new school, moving out, or launching something brand new. That moment of discomfort, when you don’t know where to begin, is exactly why communities matter.

When building community, the questions that you ask yourself are simple but profound: Who? What? Where? How? Networking can be one of the hardest things to do if you don’t know where to start. Create. Connect. Collab. (CCC) is that starting point. The founders, Lateva Woolfork and Starla Kay Mathis, created a community where women can access resources, ask the “simple” questions that so many are afraid to ask, and connect with others who understand their journey.

Together, they’ve grown CCC from a living room focus group to a thriving community of 120 members and counting, delivering over 12 MasterClasses, 12 MasterMinds, and 20+ events annually, including collaborations with PNC, IndyHub, Indy Maven, and Martindale-Brightwood. CCC has also hosted five sold-out Unstoppable Summits (each with 100 women in attendance) and three Emerging Women in Business Summits, solidifying its role as a true ecosystem builder.

But the story of CCC is as human as it is impressive. Both Lateva and Starla are wives, mothers, and CEOs of their own marketing firms SoCo PR and Mathis Media. They didn’t know each other before starting CCC, but they took a leap of faith in partnership. Their vulnerability and authenticity have fueled a community where other women can not only dream but build sustainable, scalable businesses that create jobs and impact economies

Voices of the Community

CCC is not just about its founders; it's about the women who make up its heartbeat.

Kendrea Williams, Founder of PitchFeast and partner in CCC’s Unstoppable Cohort, shares:

“The work we’re doing together is bigger than one program: it's about building sustainable businesses that can scale, hire, and thrive right here in Indiana. The Unstoppable Cohort is a space where entrepreneurs gain not only skills, but confidence and clarity. And because the CCF space isn’t limited to women only, it expands our community reach while keeping our values of intentional support and connection at the center.”

Regina Sloan, Founder of Your Mindset Nurse and CCC member, reflects:

“This community changed how I see myself as a business owner. The connections I’ve made through CCC gave me not only clients but true collaborators. It’s the kind of support system that makes you believe you really can do this.”

Aisha Rose, longtime CCC member and Founder of CuffinSzn, shares:

“Being part of CCC has been transformational. The collaborations, like the one I did during WNBA All-Star with Shawnde’ Floyd of Gentle Mental, opened doors for additional collaborations. CCC doesn’t just talk about the community; they live it, and they push us all forward.”

Why the Foundation Matters

The launch of the Create. Connect. Collab. Foundation (CCCF) is a natural extension of this work. The Foundation houses CCC’s Unstoppable Summit—their signature annual event—and the Unstoppable Cohort, a 16-week accelerator designed to move entrepreneurs from idea to action with real support and accountability. The Foundation ensures that CCC can expand its reach, fuel entrepreneurship across Indianapolis and beyond, and continue building sustainable companies that can scale, hire employees, and strengthen local economies.

A Movement, Not Just a Membership

At its core, Create. Connect. Collab. is about women saying each other’s names in rooms they deserve to be in, opening doors that might otherwise stay closed, and reminding one another: “You don’t have to do this alone.”

As founders, Starla and Lateva often remind their members:

“The right room changes everything because in the right room, support becomes second nature, collaboration feels effortless, and growth is inevitable.”

Written by Janiya Woolfork

Images Courtesy of Create. Connect. Collab.