MoMA Black Arts Council & Gladwell Projects in Harlem

The MoMA Black Arts Council recently held a walk-through with Christiana Boyle from Gladwell Projects on the final day of her unique exhibit. Christiana, an art dealer and curator, had a brilliant vision: to showcase fine art not just on gallery walls, but within lived-in residential spaces. After success in Texas, she was determined to bring this idea to life in New York.

During the walk-through, Christiana shared a powerful detail: she contacted over 60 realtors in NYC with her unconventional pitch. Sixty "no's." It wasn't until she connected with Stanley Montfort, one of NYC’s top townhouse brokers, who pretty much immediately said "yes" to her vision and helped facilitate the entire project. Over the course of a few months, her exhibit, which featured over $2 million of museum quality art, lived stunningly in a Harlem brownstone that was on the market. Through their collective efforts, that property is also now in contract! 

Sometimes, looking at my C-Suite Coach sales calendar, I wish I had an easier path to commitment. But Christiana's story is the perfect leadership and business reminder: even after 60 rejections, you can stumble upon that one critical "yes." Perseverance is a strategic necessity. If you truly believe in your unique vision, whether it's redefining an art space or transforming executive leadership, you simply cannot give up after the first couple of setbacks.

A huge congratulations to Christiana on her incredibly unique vision and thank you for what you brought to Harlem through this exhibit.