Community Highlights: Meet Chauncy Horton of 318 Collective

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chauncy Horton.

Hi Chauncy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
318 Collective is a faith community that was started in Louisiana as a result of the lack of inclusion that founders Chauncy & Kirstie Horton experienced and witnessed.

We know that life gets hard and happens to all of us at some point, the best way to succeed is together. Our goal is to see people, communities, and cities thriving by being connected to God, their purpose, and to each other. We were officially formed as a nonprofit in Shreveport, LA in 2017 and launched in Nashville in June of 2020 right in the thick of the pandemic.

318 Collective currently serves both cities by meeting in non-traditional spaces (construction buildings, community centers, and biscuit shops) to connect Kingdom & Culture using arts and cultural communication.

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?
Bringing 318 Collective into fruition has not been easy. The vision for it began years before any action was taken and in the 5 years of being established, the process of growing and moving it forward has been a challenge.

We’ve served two cities with social outreach, community outings, new music, artist spotlights, school & voter drives, worship events, kickbacks, and racial equity events. All of this has happened without a full-time staff and working to overcome the hurdle of pioneering something new.

Our goal is to connect Kingdom & Culture, but with the current religious, social, mental, spiritual, and political climate this concept has been hard for people to buy into. However, we believe in the impact that 318 Collective can have on individuals, communities, and cities so we are excited about the opportunity to keep serving.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
318 Collective exists to connect Kingdom & Culture. We are a family of creatives and entrepreneurs who want to see people thrive in life.

We believe the purposeful, rich that satisfies one’s soul, spirit, and body is tied to a right relationship with God. He is good, he has good plans, and he gives good gifts to humanity, but not everyone has that perspective or experience. 318 Collective lowers religious walls and works to build that bridge. We meet in various places around the city engaging in the arts and cultural conversation to help establish that connection.

We are known for the community. You belong even if you never believe the way that we do. We make space for the differences in people that make up society. Our collective is full of creatives who engage all forms of artistry and business.

We advocate for underserved people groups; our current reach is towards minorities & creatives, and we expect to expand our impact as the community grows.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Books: Center Church by Timothy Keller, The Disruption Mindset by Charlene Li, How to Do the Work by Nicole LePera, 21 Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell, The Bible

Contact Info:

• Email: info@318collective.org
• Website: www.318collective.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/318collective
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/318collective.org
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCydJVbblOmNl_FupahO10wQ
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0XoHXtUt7NXwdw2MWK2TXr?si=4U5C1TipTE6ZNOqIZFPECQ

Image Credits
Mister Earl Grey, Redwood Creative, Alexis VanOsdol Photography, and Effie Claire Photography