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Building a Creative City
Building a creative city goes beyond art and culture — it’s about people, systems, and shared responsibility. Jamar Davis discusses how creativity flourishes when individuals are empowered, supported, and held accountable.
This conversation reframes creativity as both vision and execution.
In other words, Jamar emphasizes that leadership doesn’t require a title — Above all, it requires presence and consistency. He shares insights on how leaders help shape creative cities by modeling values such as integrity, respect, and responsibility.
Topics discussed include:
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Leading by example in everyday situations
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Building trust within communities
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Why accountability strengthens creative spaces
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Encouraging growth without ego
These lessons apply, for instance, to artists, entrepreneurs, organizers, and anyone invested in their city’s future.
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ListenUp Podcast episodes exploring a creative community through arts and culture in Hampton Roads.
Learn more about Jamar Davis and Jam Entertainment on Instagram.
Transcript: Building a Creative City
Introduction to Building a Creative Community
Host: Al Neely
Welcome to the ListenUp Podcast. Today’s conversation is about culture, creativity, and the choices that shape our cities. My guest is Jamar C. Davis — event producer, founder of JAM Entertainment, and president of Hampton Roads Pride.
Jamar C. Davis:
Culture isn’t something that just happens. It’s built through intentional choices that people can see and feel. Whether it’s an event, a festival, or a community program, those choices show up in public.
Al Neely:
You talk about starting out as a theater kid and growing up with military structure, southern roots, and city energy. How did that shape your approach to what you do now?
Jamar C. Davis:
It taught me how to read rooms and people. In live events, the real product isn’t the stage or the sound — it’s the feeling people leave with. That’s what they remember.
Jamar C. Davis:
When I left a corporate event role during the pandemic to start JAM Entertainment, it wasn’t just a career move. It was a belief that Hampton Roads could host national-level experiences and that local talent shouldn’t have to leave home to be seen.
Al Neely:
You’ve worked on large-scale projects, including the soft opening of Pharrell’s Atlantic Park. What did that experience teach you?
Jamar C. Davis:
It reinforced that excellence is a team sport. Production is about trust — aligning vendors, managing timelines, calming nerves, and protecting the creative vision. You don’t do that alone.
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ListenUp Podcast episodes exploring a creative community through arts and culture in Hampton Roads.
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