Today we’d like to introduce you to Cedric Williams.
Hi Cedric, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It really started when I was a kid. I grew up in an entrepreneurial household—my grandfather owned Odyssey Martial Arts Supply here in Kansas City, and both of my parents ran their own businesses. That kind of spirit was all around me. I remember being 10 years old, selling candy door-to-door, designing little flyers, and passing them out around the neighborhood to offer lawn care. I even hired my brothers and neighborhood friends to help.
But for me, it was never just about making money—it was about helping people and making them feel happy. That mindset stuck with me.
I earned a football scholarship to Baker University, where I studied business marketing, management, and accounting. I knew I wanted to start my own business, but I just wasn’t sure what kind yet. My senior year, I landed an internship managing social media for the university, and that’s when it clicked: there were so many people—especially small business owners—who needed real support with their digital presence.
Instead of stepping into corporate America after graduation, I decided to take a leap and build something of my own. That’s how Evolving Digital Media was born.
Fast forward to now—we’ve helped over 300 businesses across 9 states. We’ve worked with nonprofits, food trucks, politicians, banks, artists, churches, festivals, and a wide range of organizations in between. The goal has always stayed the same: help people grow, tell their story, and build something meaningful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road, and honestly, I think that’s part of the journey. One of the biggest challenges early on was trying to prove myself while building something from scratch. I started this business right out of college, so I didn’t have a ton of resources or a long list of clients to lean on. I had to earn people’s trust, one project at a time.
Another challenge was figuring out how to wear all the hats. I was doing the strategy, the design, the invoices, the meetings, all of it. It takes time to learn how to balance the creative side with the business side, and how to grow without burning out.
There were times I questioned if I was on the right path, especially when projects would fall through or I’d take on too much at once. But I kept going, mostly because I really believe in the people I serve. I’ve always been passionate about helping local businesses and community organizations tell their story and grow their brand, and that purpose kept me focused even during the hard moments.
Now, looking back, I see those struggles as stepping stones. They taught me how to be resourceful, how to lead, and how to build something sustainable. I wouldn’t change it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Evolving Digital Media is a full-service creative and marketing agency, but at our core, we’re really community builders. We specialize in helping small businesses, nonprofits, and cultural organizations grow their presence through digital marketing, brand strategy, content creation, and events. Whether it’s building a website, launching a product, managing social media, or covering an event, we’re hands-on and fully involved in every part of the process.
What sets us apart is how personal our work is. We don’t just take a job and clock in. We really partner with our clients. Most of our work starts with listening: what are your goals, what’s your story, who are you trying to reach? Then we figure out the best strategy to get there, and we stay with you through it. From designing flyers to editing videos to planning full campaigns, we’re in the trenches with our clients.
We’re probably best known for our work with community events and culture-based projects. We’ve helped produce and promote things like the 18th & Vine Arts Festival, New Reflections Technical Institute, Brunch with Quez and Friends, Niecie’s Restaurant, and also corporate mid-sized companies, all to bring more visibility, structure, and support to Kansas City’s creative and entrepreneurial community.
What I’m most proud of is that we’ve been able to grow while staying rooted in service. We’ve worked with over 300 clients across 9 states, but we’re still about empowering the underdog: the small business owner with a big dream, the nonprofit with a mission but no team, the kid with a business idea and no roadmap. Our brand is about evolution. We want to help people evolve their voice, their reach, and their impact through real strategy, not just trendy marketing.
If you work with us, you’re not just hiring a marketer. You’re gaining a creative partner who’s going to care about your goals like they’re my own.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is impact. Making sure the work I’m doing is actually helping people, changing lives, and building something bigger than just a paycheck. I’ve never been driven by money or titles. What really motivates me is seeing someone win because we worked together. Whether that’s a small business owner making their first online sale, a student launching their first brand, or a community event bringing people together in a real way.
I believe in using my gifts, like creative strategy, marketing, and problem-solving, to make a difference. If I can help someone evolve their dream into something real, that matters to me more than anything.
I think we’re all given a purpose, and mine just happens to be helping people see themselves as bigger than their circumstances. Every project, every client, and every late-night edit is rooted in that mission. That’s what keeps me going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.evolvingdigitalmedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolvingdigitalmedia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvolvingDigitalMedia
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/evolving-digital-media
- Twitter: https://x.com/EvolvingDmedia
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingDigitalMedia
