TEK UP SPACE

A Susu Fund Artist Accelerator Program

Jun 11, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Atlanta Artist and Creative Business Coach Stephanie Brown Launches “Tek Up Space”—An Exclusive Accelerator and Coaching Program for Artists.

ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta-based multidisciplinary artist, creative consultant, and host of the IN BTWN ARTIST podcast, Stephanie Brown, has officially announced the launch of her newest venture: Tek Up Space. Brown is channeling her extensive background in creative operations and arts entrepreneurship to establish a premiere coaching platform designed to reshape sustainable creative careers for early-career visual storytellers.

The inaugural cohort, TEK UP SPACE: Graphic Novel Edition, is an exclusive, susu fund, project-based 6-month accelerator uniquely tailored for cartoonists and illustrators who are fiercely committed to producing a new long-form graphic novel.

“As an artist who is deeply embedded in the business operations of the creative world—and married to a professional cartoonist—I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound gap in structural and corporate support available to sequential creators,” says Stephanie Brown. “Tek Up Space is built to dismantle the ‘starving artist’ paradigm. We provide direct support, social, and tactical infrastructure that transforms a loose project idea into a completed, publishable, and highly marketable finished product.”

The accelerator tackles the administrative, financial, and creative bottlenecks that stall long-form production of independent graphic novels. Selected participants are guaranteed to reach the finish line with a completed graphic novel through an ecosystem that provides:

Financial & Production Assistance: $500 to spend on producing the comics via the susu funded structure. Shared production schedule to keep individual projects advancing efficiently.
Industry Technical Support: Tailored technical direction, storytelling pacing analysis, critical feedback, and elite industry networking leveraging Brown’s network of industry professionals such as Eisner Award nominated artist Shawn Martinbrough and more.
Comprehensive Marketing Strategy: Production of high-caliber digital asset toolkits required for robust promotional, social media, and future crowdfunding campaigns.
Immersive Convention Field Trips: A guided field trip to a comic convention to refine professional elevator pitches, network in real-time, and study the practical mechanics of successful floor tabling.

To maintain an exceptional level of personalized strategy and structural accountability, enrollment is strictly capped at only 6 slots per cohort. Applications are open to sequential artists seeking start dates on either June 29, 2026 or August 28, 2026. In alignment with Brown’s advocacy for artistic equity, all applicants are automatically evaluated for financial sponsorship as donor and institutional funds become available.

For program parameters, investment details, or to submit a cohort application, visit: www.stephaniesquared.com/tek-up-space.

Stephanie is actively seeking sponsors and partners who want to support Tek Up Space with scholarships for participants, mentorship, or art supplies.

ABOUT STEPHANIE BROWN

Stephanie Brown (professionally operating as Stephanie Squared) is an Atlanta-based interdisciplinary installation artist, photographer, and creative business coach. Holding a BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design and an MFA from the University of Michigan, her celebrated public installations explore identity construction, systemic constructs, and cultural resilience. In tandem with her fine arts practice, she operates as a prominent operational mastermind, utilizing her podcast IN BTWN ARTIST and signature coaching programs to equip creators worldwide with the enterprise strategies needed to design sustainable creative careers.

ABOUT THE GUEST SPEAKERS (so far…)

SHAWN MARTINBROUGH

SHAWN MARTINBROUGH is the author of “How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling” by Penguin Random House and an Eisner Award nominated artist whose comic book projects include; “Batman: Detective Comics”, “Luke Cage Noir”, “The Black Panther” and “Hellboy”. He is a Vanity Fair contributor and an art curator. Shawn is the writer of “Red Hood: The Hill” for DC Comics, which introduces multiple new characters to Batman’s Gotham City. Shawn illustrated the graphic novel adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s “Anansi Boys” for Dark Horse Comics and is currently writing and illustrating original graphic novels for Megascope /Abrams Books, Image Comics, Ignition Press and 23rd Street Books. He is also writing an original four part “Hellboy” mini-series for creator Mike Mignola and Dark Horse Comics. Original art by Shawn has been showcased at the prestigious Society of Illustrators in New York. Shawn also curated “The Artist Experience: From Brotherman to Batman” exhibition for The Phillips Collection @The ARC in Washington, D.C. and The Society of Illustrators in New York. The show featured prominent Black comic book artists and explored their unique creative processes. Shawn has been a featured guest and panelist at comic conventions in San Diego, New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, London, Paris, São Paulo, Rome, Algiers and Poland. He currently draws and writes in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
Website: https://shawnmartinbrough.com/
Instagram: @smartinbrough

KEEF CROSS

Keef Cross is a visual artist , writer and retired tattooist of 25 years. A graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design, KEEF’s work is deeply influenced by the rebellious energy of 70s underground comics — inspired by icons like Ralph Bakshi, R. Crumb, Vaughn Bodé, and series like Elfquest and Brotherman. The concept for his acclaimed comic Dayblack was born during his years as a tattoo artist — originally a comic strip chronicling the wild, hilarious, and sometimes surreal stories his clients would share in the chair. Over time, those moments evolved into the layered, cinematic world that Dayblack is today. DayBlack is a graphic novel series about a former slave who was bitten by a vampire in the cotton fields and works in the present day as a tattoo artist. DayBlack was made into a short film in 2014. His fine arts work is primarily in portraiture.
Website: https://dayblack.bigcartel.com/
Instagram: @keefcross

PHILLIP FLEMING

PHILLIP FLEMING is a NYC native and Atlanta-based cartoonist who earned his MFA in Comics from California College of the Arts and BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design. His work, including Rooted (2019), Blood and Irons (2020), and The 332nd (2026) explores African and Caribbean histories through themes of war and heritage. Currently an Adjunct Professor at Kennesaw State University and co-founder of The Comic Workshop, Phillip blends historical research with cinematic storytelling to bring legendary legacies to life.
Website: Phillipfleming.com
Instagram: @phillys1y

KYLE PUTTKAMMER

KYLE PUTTKAMMER is a comic shop owner, story teller, illustrator and advocate for graphic novels that have a universal appeal. Hero Cats and Galaxy Man comics are his current comic publishing projects. Galactic Quest comic shop was founded in 1995. Today Galactic Quest operates out of both Lawrenceville and Buford, Georgia.
Website: https://galactic-quest.myshopify.com/
Instagram: Galactic Quest

ANGEL PERRY

Angel Perry a Brooklyn native who now resides in Central Florida. She chose to teach about collecting comics when she realize how many people were intimidated to start. Angel is also the Lady Lord of the Black Comic Lords. This group of long time collectors not only teaches about collecting but also focuses heavily on the history of black characters in comic books. Over the past 15 years, Angel has assisted in the creation and critique of mainstream and indie comic books. She has amassed a huge network and inside expertise on the comic book creation process. She is currently the Public Relations Director for Second Sight Publishing and Founder and CEO of The Illustrated Guild.
Website: www.Theillustratedguild.com
Instagram: @a4amazing

BEN SUTHERLAND, INDIE SPEEDWAY

Indie Speedway is an independent magazine and multimedia company dedicated to spotlighting the creators shaping the worlds of comics, animation, and entertainment. Through artist features, interviews, industry coverage, and original content, they connect audiences with both emerging talent and established professionals. The publication showcases a wide range of comic illustrations, cartoons, and creative works from independent comic creators, industry veterans, voice actors, animators, writers, and artists. Each issue is designed to keep readers engaged with new projects, fresh perspectives, and behind-the-scenes insights from across the industry. Indie Speedway has built relationships with professionals throughout the comics and animation landscape. Their mission is to celebrate independent creativity while providing a platform for artists and storytellers to reach new audiences.
Website: www.IndieSpeedway.com
Instagram: @indiespeedway