Creative Visionary and Storyteller

Nickolas Gaines is a trailblazer in creative direction, curatorial innovation, and storytelling, crafting experiences that transcend traditional boundaries. At the heart of his work is a commitment to elevating underrepresented narratives and redefining cultural landscapes.

His forthcoming 2025 curated series, Worthy: The Limitless Beauty of the Black Aesthetic, is a powerful exploration of Black identity and beauty. This project celebrates the richness of Black hair textures, skin tones, and innate style while challenging societal norms, fostering self-love, and sparking global conversations about race and worthiness. As Chief Curator and through contributions to leading galleries, Nickolas has been instrumental in earning top recognition from esteemed publications like D (Dallas) Magazine. His exhibitions are immersive experiences, combining curatorial vision with artist talks, community forums, mental health workshops, and meditation circles. By addressing themes such as faith, racial identity, hip-hop culture, gender, sexuality, and mental health, Nickolas fosters connection, healing, and meaningful dialogue.

Nickolas’s storytelling journey began early, making his network television debut at 14 as a contributor on PBS’s Don’t Believe the Hype, where he explored the power of media to challenge societal perceptions for youth of color. Decades later, his early thought leadership was spotlighted in HBO’s 2023 documentary Timebomb: Y2K, a testament to his enduring commitment to amplifying voices and shaping cultural narratives. As a teenager, he also became a national spokesperson for the American Lung Association’s Target Market anti-smoking campaign and contributed as a staff writer for local and state newspapers, covering politics, education, pop culture, and current events. At 15, Nickolas was appointed to the Young Citizens Advisory Task Force under Secretary of State Marilyn Kiffmeyer and collaborated with Governor Jesse Ventura, using news media to address youth civic engagement across Minnesota. These formative experiences laid the foundation for his ongoing commitment to storytelling and advocacy in leadership.

In podcasting, Nickolas’s creative projects have earned recognition from Apple and The New York Times. He also produced and co-hosted Black on Black Time on the REVRY network, a groundbreaking media platform uplifting LGBTQ+ creators and stories. The show delved into conversations on liberation, race, sexuality, gender, and equity, resonating deeply with audiences and earning critical acclaim for its authentic and thought-provoking content. Nickolas’s perspective, thought leadership, and storytelling have made him a sought-after contributor on podcasts and national platforms discussing identity, faith, masculinity, fatherhood, and mental health, including NPR's Morning Edition. His fashion and creativity have been featured in Rolling Stone, Okayplayer, Okay Africa, Vogue, Ebony, Complex, Allure, Essence, and Afropunk.

Over the years, Nickolas has keynoted more than 75 university events, including Penn State, as well as a myriad of national conferences and state conventions.