Dwight White II (IMC17), artist and creative consultant, will address integrated marketing communications master’s graduates and their families at Medill’s convocation ceremony on Saturday, December 11.
White is a multidisciplinary creative and his art comes to life through paintings on canvas, large scale murals and public communications to share authentic stories. With his background in integrated marketing communications, he has continued a career path that allows for creative expression that connects with consumers.
“We are eager to welcome Dwight back to campus to speak to our newest IMC graduates,” said Medill Dean Charles Whitaker. “As we continue with Medill’s Centennial celebration, it is important to showcase the different and pioneering successes Medill alumni can achieve. Dwight’s career represents the unlimited futures open to Medill graduates.”
After graduation, White pursued his marketing career with Sky Zone Franchise Group as a marketing and program development graduate intern in Los Angeles. He collaborated with team members to analyze customer feedback and transactional data to provide actionable program recommendations to implement across the international franchise network in six countries. He then went to San Francisco, working at Patreon as a consumer research and brand strategy analyst.
White came to Chicago as a senior consumer insights analyst at The Kraft Heinz Company. However, he came to realize during the pandemic he wanted to pursue art as his full-time profession. White’s vast experiences have led him to live as a full-time business and artist professional.
“I am excited to share my story with the new graduates and their families,” White said. “It is a time to reflect on the possibilities of a Medill degree.”
During his time at Northwestern, he played football as the team’s cornerback. However, he left the team in 2014 due to an injury he received during practice before the season opener.
White’s career as an artist has led him to large projects with the Chicago Loop Alliance as he painted a mural recognizing Loop workers on Ida B. Wells Drive. He also has done work on the West and North side of Chicago honoring medical workers during the pandemic and recognizing the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020.
“The Integrated Marketing Communications program enhanced my ability to gather insights and conceptualize and build strategy as a creative marketer,” White said. “I joined the program to amplify my career and it has brought me to a full-time career in art.”
In addition to murals, White works with businesses on consumer-related art projects in the Chicago area. He also has his artwork in gallery shows across the city where he directly sells his canvas paintings. White has been able to connect with corporate clients as well, such as the Chicago Fire Football Club, for whom he designed special cleats.
Prior to attending Medill, White earned a bachelor of science degree at Northwestern in corporate communications and sociology. He has maintained contact with Northwestern’s football program and painted a mural inside the Northwestern players’ lounge in 2019. Recently, he painted a mural titled “Undivided Legacy” for the newly renovated Black House showcased during homecoming weekend.
The convocation ceremony will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 11 and will be livestreamed and recorded for later viewing.