Home - Karlie Thornton

k.tea

Digital and Vinyl DJ with emphasis on soulful explorations within house and dance music.

Advertising

I've been in the advertising industry since 2019. I've done work as an Art Director and freelance creative strategist/consultant.

froSkate x Nike SB Dunk

Released in 2022, froSkate became the first Black Women to ever create and release a global Nike SB shoe.

froSkate

I founded froSkate in 2019. Our collective provides inclusive experiences, resources and equity for the BIPOC, non-traditional skateboarding community.

Graphic Design

Some of my favorite designs from my design experience of 2017-current.

Media/Speaking

Experienced public/motivational speaker from Diversity and Inclusion, entrepreneurship and the skateboarding industry.

Snapchat

Creative Direction/Strategy on Snapchat's "Hey, You Good" campaign.

Photography

Photography has been a passion of mine since childhood. After moving to Chicago my career began as an event photographer. It now is just a fun passion.

Events

I've been an event producer since 2017. Starting my own concert series "Aura Sounds", to helping produce with Party Noire and over 90 events with froSkate.

k.tea

Digital and Vinyl DJ with emphasis on soulful explorations within house and dance music.

Advertising

I've been in the advertising industry since 2019. I've done work as an Art Director and freelance creative strategist/consultant.

froSkate x Nike SB Dunk

Released in 2022, froSkate became the first Black Women to ever create and release a global Nike SB shoe.

froSkate

I founded froSkate in 2019. Our collective provides inclusive experiences, resources and equity for the BIPOC, non-traditional skateboarding community.

Graphic Design

Some of my favorite designs from my design experience of 2017-current.

Media/Speaking

Experienced public/motivational speaker from Diversity and Inclusion, entrepreneurship and the skateboarding industry.

Snapchat

Creative Direction/Strategy on Snapchat's "Hey, You Good" campaign.

Photography

Photography has been a passion of mine since childhood. After moving to Chicago my career began as an event photographer. It now is just a fun passion.

Events

I've been an event producer since 2017. Starting my own concert series "Aura Sounds", to helping produce with Party Noire and over 90 events with froSkate.

k.tea

Digital and Vinyl DJ with emphasis on soulful explorations within house and dance music.

Advertising

I've been in the advertising industry since 2019. I've done work as an Art Director and freelance creative strategist/consultant.

froSkate x Nike SB Dunk

Released in 2022, froSkate became the first Black Women to ever create and release a global Nike SB shoe.

froSkate

I founded froSkate in 2019. Our collective provides inclusive experiences, resources and equity for the BIPOC, non-traditional skateboarding community.

Graphic Design

Some of my favorite designs from my design experience of 2017-current.

Media/Speaking

Experienced public/motivational speaker from Diversity and Inclusion, entrepreneurship and the skateboarding industry.

Snapchat

Creative Direction/Strategy on Snapchat's "Hey, You Good" campaign.

Photography

Photography has been a passion of mine since childhood. After moving to Chicago my career began as an event photographer. It now is just a fun passion.

Events

I've been an event producer since 2017. Starting my own concert series "Aura Sounds", to helping produce with Party Noire and over 90 events with froSkate.

Karlie Thornton, also known as k.tea, is the founder of froSkate, Chicago's first skate collective dedicated to bringing more BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and non-binary individuals into skating. She blends her passions for community building, art, events, and skateboarding to create authentic spaces for BIPOC communities. As a freelance creative/art director and strategist, she amplifies underrepresented voices in advertising. Based in NYC, k.tea is also a DJ who crafts soulful house music journeys, drawing from jazz, funk, and percussion to inspire freedom through dance and connection.