Civic Creative Group
The voices they trust.
The reach you need.
The change we make.
We develop athletes and creators into credible civic voices — helping them build their brand, protect it, and use it to move their communities.
Athletes · Creators · Causes
Who we are
A talent development firm for the civic era
We find athletes — including high school seniors with new NIL eligibility — and civic-minded creators, and we help them build a real public voice around the issues they already care about. Then we connect them to organizations that need what they have: trust.
We are not a political firm.
We are a development firm — with brand protection, family involvement, and integrity at the center of everything we build.
Why we exist
Trust is the most valuable thing a voice can carry
Creators deserve real development
Most talent firms place creators in deals and move on. We invest in the person — their voice, their growth, their long-term brand.
Athletes deserve protection
Engaging publicly on issues shouldn't put an athlete's deals or future at risk. We build the guardrails that make it safe to speak.
Families deserve a seat
For our youngest athletes, parents and guardians are part of the process from day one — with tools, transparency, and a clear role.
What makes us different
Anyone can place a creator. We develop them.
We develop, not just place
We coach athletes to find their voice, protect their brand, and build an audience that trusts them — before any opportunity ever calls.
Families are part of the model
For high school NIL athletes especially, we onboard parents and guardians — with tools, transparency, and a clear role — so they become advocates, not obstacles.
Data behind every dollar
We track reach, engagement, and audience insights — and report results our partners can point to and defend.
Year-round investment
We build talent continuously — not around single moments. Over years, not campaigns, our creators become trusted voices who educate their communities and move them to act.
Our team
The people behind the work
Let's talk
Whether you're an athlete, a creator, a family, or an organization that believes in the power of authentic voices — we'd love to hear from you.
Get in touchOur team
The people behind the work
Builders, strategists, and connectors who believe athletes and creators can move the world — when someone invests in their voice.
Lynette W. Barksdale
Co-Founder & CEO
Lynette W. Barksdale is a senior executive, strategist, and advisor with more than 15 years of experience working at the intersection of business, people, policy, and social impact. Across leadership roles at Visa, Google, Epic Games, and Goldman Sachs, she has helped organizations navigate complex business and societal challenges through strategy, cross-sector partnerships, organizational transformation, and stakeholder engagement.
During her tenure at Google, Lynette’s work included strategic partnerships and policy-focused initiatives that brought together business leaders, policymakers, community organizations, and other external stakeholders. Her experience spans building partnerships, translating complex organizational and policy priorities for diverse audiences, and helping organizations develop strategies that balance business objectives with broader workforce and community impact.
Throughout her career, Lynette has advised senior executives and organizational leaders on issues spanning workforce and talent strategy, organizational effectiveness, economic opportunity, leadership, inclusion, and the future of work. She brings a particular strength in moving between strategy and execution—identifying the stakeholders, partnerships, organizational infrastructure, and operating mechanisms necessary to turn ambitious ideas into sustainable action.
As Co-Founder of ELLEBE LLC, Lynette advises executives, founders, and mission-driven organizations on strategy, organizational transformation, leadership, and complex initiatives requiring alignment across multiple stakeholders. Her work draws on experience across the corporate, nonprofit, philanthropic, and public-policy ecosystems and a career focused on expanding opportunity and strengthening organizations and communities.
Lynette has served on the board of the National Urban League of Austin, MainSpring Schools, and North Carolina State Poole College. She is a frequent speaker on leadership, organizational culture, economic opportunity, and the future of work. Lynette holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from North Carolina State University and is a German Marshall Fund Fellow.
Harry Johnson, II
Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer
Harry Johnson, II, is a nationally recognized public and political affairs leader, serial entrepreneur, and fundraiser. Harry currently serves as Co-Founder of Civic Creative Group; FO15 Media, LLC; Clean & Care Collective, LLC; and Harriette Holdings, LLC.
Harry formerly served as the Vice-President for Strategic Partnerships and Political Director at NextGen America & NextGen PAC. Harry has also formerly held a number of senior political roles with multiple gubernatorial campaigns and as senior staff for the United States Senate.
He also serves as the Board Treasurer for Dream.org and as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Harry is based in Atlanta, GA and is a loving father to Nori Grace, Harry III, and Harriette Willa.
Pilot 2026
Our first campaign partnership — putting creator development to work in a real race, with real reach, and real results we'll publish.
The pilot at a glance
One race. One creator. One proof point.
The campaign
[Campaign Name]
[Describe the campaign: e.g., a 2026 governor's race where authentic creator outreach can reach voters traditional advertising misses. Include the candidate or cause focus once confirmed.]
The state
[State]
[Why this state: e.g., a competitive race, NIL-friendly rules for our athletes, and communities where creator voices carry real trust. One or two sentences on the stakes.]
The focus
[Message Theme]
[The single theme this pilot carries: e.g., economic opportunity, voter registration, healthcare access. One theme, delivered authentically, measured completely.]
The creator
[Creator Name]
[Sport / Platform · e.g., HS Basketball · TikTok & Instagram]
[Creator bio: who they are, where they're from, what they care about, and why their voice carries weight in their community. Two or three sentences that make them real to the reader.]
[What they're doing in this pilot: the content they're creating, the conversations they're starting, and how their community is responding.]
Follow the pilot
We'll be sharing results, learnings, and the full reach-per-dollar story as this pilot unfolds. Want updates or a deeper conversation?
Get in touchPartners
Better together
We work alongside agencies, brands, nonprofits, and institutions that share our belief in the power of authentic voices.
Our partners
Organizations we work with
Talent & sports agencies
We collaborate with NIL agencies and talent representatives to develop athletes' civic voices alongside their existing careers.
Brands & funders
We partner with brands and philanthropic funders who want their investment in civic engagement to reach real communities.
Nonprofits & institutions
We work with civic organizations that need trusted messengers to reach the audiences traditional outreach misses.
Interested in partnering?
We're always looking for organizations that share our values and our vision.
Start the conversation