Kiana “Rookz” Eastmond, founder of Sandbox Studios and executive director of Manifesto, on her come-up story, building community and leading with love.
The doors of Toronto’s Sandbox Studios open to a space where creative ideas come to life. To the right is an empty 21x18ft white room, that plays host to photo shoots, events, galleries and film sets. Straight-ahead past the small lobby area and through a sound proof door is a recording studio, which acts as a creative playground for rappers, singers and producers. To the left is the in-house office used for administrative tasks, graphic design work, meetings and consultations. That’s the first place Sandbox founder and director Kiana “Rookz” Eastmond heads upon entering the studio.