In a city where Black entrepreneurs continue to innovate, Glos Creative Studio is shaping how that innovation is seen and remembered. Founded by Amera Gaymon and Simone Johnson in 2023, the Spokane-based multimedia firm brings storytelling, visual strategy, and cultural intention to community building. Through photography, videography, design, and branding, Glos elevates local businesses and events while preserving the presence and power of Black life in Spokane.
Amera Gaymon: “We started Glos because we saw a need. We saw organizations having amazing events and businesses, but there were gaps. Some people did not have professional headshots. Some just needed that extra look. We wanted to help our people look polished and presentable, just like their counterparts.
We took a class with Terrain, and that helped us understand our why. We have always been creatives. We love storytelling. That class helped us go deeper. Then we stepped out on faith. God gave us these talents, so let’s use them to help people.”
Simone Johnson: “I have been doing more videography in the community and learning so much. I called Amera and said we have got to talk to our elders. People think Seattle is where all the Black history is, but Spokane has its own story.
It is important for our youth to know that. I was away from Spokane for 14 years. When I came back, I saw a creative community that was not here before. I am learning so much, and that needs to be documented.”
We are also seeing attempts to erase Black history. That history needs to be cemented. We are not only slavery. There is so much more. I did not learn about Black Wall Street until I was 30. That should not happen.”
Gaymon: “We live in a world where our narrative has been fed to us. As a people, we have lacked media opportunities. We may have powerful events, but they are not always covered.
It is vital that we document our own stories. Take video. Do interviews. These become historical records. We can show our children and say this is what happened because we recorded it…if we document our truth, it cannot be erased.”
This approach reframes storytelling as a shared responsibility. It is not just for professionals, but for the community itself.
Gaymon: “Share your stories, your memories, your work. Everyone has creativity within them. It is important that we support each other and continue to show up.
There are things in our community that people avoid talking about, but we have to be bold. Our history is being erased. Our elders are passing away. Our youth are growing up with so many outside influences. We have to guide them and give them the right story.”
Johnson: “I think about that too. Sharing is important, but everything moves so fast.
The pair emphasize that this work requires understanding the relationship between creativity and business.
Johnson: “Resources are key. Taking Terrain’s Creative Enterprise Program helped us understand the business side. You can create all day, but if you do not understand the business, you cannot sustain it.”
Gaymon: “Foundation matters. Year one gave us a strong start, but now we are in year two, and we are evaluating what worked and what did not. We are building systems.”
At its core, Glos Creative Studio is not just producing content. It is building an archive of lived experience and ensuring that Black presence in Spokane is documented in full, not in fragments.
Johnson and Gaymon emphasize that creativity and documentation are essential because they reflect who we are, preserve our story, and continue a long tradition of expression.
In summary, the essence of Glos is summed up in these words: “It’s about who we are.”