The Gumbo Collective is a strategy and experience design studio that helps organizations transform ideas into meaningful programs, gatherings, and learning experiences. We blend facilitation, instructional design, and program development with deep cultural awareness to create spaces where teams and communities can think, learn, and build together.
Meet The Founder
Solomon Matthews is a New Orleans–born master facilitator, strategist, and community builder whose work lives at the intersection of education, culture, and creative practice.
With a background in social work and a Master’s in Education focused on Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs, Solomon began his career in higher education, where he became an award-winning Academic and Career Advisor known for helping people navigate transition and possibility.
Most recently, he served as Chief Program Officer at Ashe Cultural Arts Center, leading transformative programming that uplifted Black artists and strengthened the cultural ecosystem of New Orleans. His work centered care, equity, and artistic excellence.
In 2026, Solomon founded The Gumbo Collective, a strategy and experience design studio rooted in the idea that, like gumbo, the most powerful solutions are layered. The studio blends creativity, systems thinking, and cultural insight to design meaningful experiences, sustainable programs, and high-impact strategy.
At heart, Solomon is a steward of spaces, creating environments where people can think deeply, connect authentically, and build community.