Today we’d like to introduce you to Symone (Monie) Palmer.
Hi Symone (Monie), thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a St. Louis native — born and raised — and I come from a family of educators, so a strong foundation in academics was instilled in me early. Education wasn’t just something that came naturally — I worked for it. I often stayed after school for tutoring or studied late into the night with the only other Black girls in my AP classes. That sense of discipline and community support became part of who I am. I ended up earning a full scholarship to Washington University in St. Louis, where I studied marketing at Olin Business School — which was ranked the #1 undergrad business program at the time — and minored in design. That pairing let me bring both logic and creativity to the table.
Professionally, I started out in nonprofit work. My first full-time role was with ArchCity Defenders, a civil rights law firm where I used media and design to advocate for racial and economic justice. I helped develop digital campaigns, annual reports, and branded materials that educated the public and amplified community voices. It was deep, purpose-driven work that taught me how to use creativity as a tool for change.
After three years there, I stepped into a leadership role as the Marketing Director at the Arts and Education Council. It was a fast-paced position where I managed press, storytelling, and branding for regional arts initiatives. I worked closely with local arts organizations, produced content that celebrated creative voices, and led the design and execution of materials for the 32nd Annual St. Louis Arts Awards. That role expanded my ability to juggle priorities, collaborate across departments, and advocate for artists and educators.
From there, I joined Washington University Athletics as the Marketing and Multimedia Manager, where I brought my love for sports, design, and storytelling together — a full-circle moment for me. I was responsible for marketing varsity programs and rec initiatives, developing communication strategies, managing social media, designing print and digital assets, and organizing gameday promotions. It was a return to my roots in basketball and reinforced how much I care about empowering the next generation, especially student athletes and creatives.
Now, I’ve stepped fully into my creative path as a multidisciplinary freelancer. I’m a graphic designer, DJ, photographer, and custom sneaker artist, and I bring all of those skills into one practice that’s grounded in culture, community, and authenticity. I work with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, small businesses, and grassroots organizations to craft bold, strategic visual identities — often inspired by my love for basketball, graffiti, and justice work. Whether I’m behind a laptop, a camera, or a turntable, I’m always looking to uplift, amplify, and create space for people to be fully themselves — just like I’ve learned to be.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One particularly defining moment in my life was being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during my senior year of high school. I was literally supposed to go to a DECA leadership conference the day after I landed in the hospital. It was a life-changing moment, but not one that stopped me — it just shifted how I had to move through the world. Managing a chronic illness at 17, while still leading my school’s DECA chapter and preparing for college, really shaped my sense of resilience.
My college years were another pivotal time where I started navigating my queer identity more intentionally. That process was beautiful, but also complicated by the religious and cultural upbringing I had. I grew up going to church every Sunday, involved in youth groups, plays, choirs — the whole nine. So stepping into a fuller version of myself meant unpacking and redefining a lot of what I was taught. It’s something I’m still in conversation with, but my faith and identity both remain core parts of me. My church experience gave me my first exposure to design, actually — I designed t-shirts and bulletins for our youth month. But it also gave me a set of values: compassion, humility, community. I carry those with me, even as I’ve had to reimagine what my relationship to faith looks like as an adult.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I consider myself a multi-faceted creative who works at the intersection of design, culture, and community. I specialize in graphic design, photography, DJing, and custom sneaker art, and I love building experiences and visuals that are bold, strategic, and rooted in authenticity. A lot of my work is informed by my background in marketing, my love for basketball and music, and my commitment to social justice — so no matter what medium I’m working in, there’s always an intentional story being told.
I’m probably best known for my design work with purpose-driven brands — especially Black-owned businesses, nonprofits, and creatives who want to show up powerfully in their space. I help them clarify their vision and then bring it to life visually — whether that’s through branding, event flyers, merch design, or digital content. I’ve also carved out a lane locally as a DJ and community event host, which lets me bring people together through music and shared creative energy.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how I’ve been able to build a career that reflects who I am holistically. I’ve worked in civil rights, higher ed, and the arts — and I’ve stayed true to my values in every space. Now, as a freelancer, I get to blend all of that experience into work that’s not only creatively fulfilling but also community-centered and deeply personal.
What sets me apart is my ability to bring multiple creative skills together while still maintaining a cohesive vision. I can design your brand, shoot your launch photos, DJ your event, and make you a custom pair of sneakers to match — and it’ll all feel aligned, intentional, and elevated. I think people also appreciate that I’m just as strategic as I am creative. My background in marketing and nonprofit work means I know how to tell stories that connect, build trust, and drive impact.
At the end of the day, I’m not just creating to create — I’m building spaces where people feel seen, celebrated, and inspired to be themselves.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is the power of resilience — and how it’s deeply tied to self-love and self-trust. For a long time, I measured my worth by achievements, productivity, and how well I could show up for others. But over time, especially navigating chronic illness, identity shifts, creative burnout, and career transitions, I realized that the real work is learning to show up for yourself with the same commitment and compassion.
Resilience isn’t just about pushing through — it’s about adapting, evolving, and being honest about your needs. I’ve had to reinvent myself more than once, and each time I thought I had failed, it was actually an invitation to come back to who I really am — not the polished version, but the full version. The version that is intuitive, bold, emotional, and deeply creative.
Loving myself enough to rest, to pivot, to say no, to embrace joy, and to create from a place of wholeness — that’s been the biggest lesson. And it’s what fuels the way I move through the world now: grounded, purpose-driven, and unafraid to take up space exactly as I am.
Pricing:
- Logo & Branding packages starting at $1500
- Event, portrait, and basketball photography services starting at $100/hr
- Custom sneakers starting at $150 (shoes not included)
- DJ services starting at $100/hr
- Custom blended services packages available upon inquiry
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bymonie.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/monie_loveee
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/symone-palmer
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itsmonieloveee
