Honoring the Life and Legacy of Heath Donell Creech
Sunrise: October 30, 1967 – Sunset: February 24, 2025
On February 24, 2025, the world lost a luminary. Heath Donell Creech, a man whose life’s work was dedicated to uplifting others, passed away at the age of 57, leaving behind an indelible mark on the city he loved and the people he served.
Heath was born on October 30, 1967, in Snyder, Texas, to Lonnie Rivers and Carlist Creech. He was raised by his mother, Lonnie, and his stepfather, Son Davis, alongside his beloved siblings Yolanda Dunlap and Paul Davis (through his mother) and Rodney Creech and Cory Creech (through his father). His Auntie Bay (Billy Taylor) played an instrumental role in raising him, and his cousin Phyllis was raised alongside him.
Growing up in Snyder, Odessa, and Austin, Texas, Heath was known for his humble spirit and giving nature. He was a bright, determined child with an entrepreneurial mindset and a love for knowledge. He played football and baseball, enjoyed playing the drums and piano, and had a deep passion for reading and discussing history.
His drive to succeed was evident early on. Despite a school counselor advising him to become a truck driver, Heath forged his own path. He enlisted in the military, serving three years before returning to civilian life with a clear vision for his future. Determined to build a legacy, he pursued higher education at The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied business and leadership—skills that would become the foundation of his extraordinary career.
Heath’s impact on Austin was immeasurable. He was a visionary strategist, media expert, and fearless advocate for Black creatives and entrepreneurs. His life’s work was dedicated to ensuring that Black voices, businesses and culture were represented, celebrated, and empowered.
As the founder of Soulciti, Heath built a digital platform that amplified Black news, culture, and business in Austin. Through GriotMedia, he provided marketing and advertising services to organizations like The University of Texas, The Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau, and SXSW, ensuring that Black entrepreneurs and artists had access to major opportunities.
Heath also co-founded MVMT50, a groundbreaking initiative at South by Southwest (SXSW) that increased Black participation in Austin’s growing tech and innovation scene. The viral hashtag #BlackAtSXSW, which he helped popularize, became a rallying cry for Black attendees seeking representation at the festival.
His commitment to cultural preservation was evident in his work with the Urban Music Festival, Austin Jazz Festival, Capital City Black Film Festival, Soul Food Truck Festival, and the Black X Conference. Most notably, he expanded Austin’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration from 500 attendees to over 20,000 participants annually, securing funding and awareness that made it one of the largest and most inclusive MLK commemorations in Texas.
As the Founder of the African American Leadership Institute (AALI), Heath invested in the next generation of Black leaders, fostering civic engagement and together with Co-founder BiNi Scoor, he created a pipeline for Black professionals to connect with major corporations and leadership roles.
His work was never just about business—it was about people. He believed in the power of community, representation, and shared success, and he made sure that others had the opportunities he had once fought for himself.
While Heath’s professional impact was undeniable, his greatest joy came from his family and relationships. He was a dedicated father to his son, Jordan, ensuring that his legacy would continue through the wisdom and love he instilled in him.
He cherished his family gatherings, where he was known for his love of food—especially steak, chicken, and ground beef. He worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken in high school, often bringing home buckets of chicken to share with his loved ones. His sister Yolanda jokingly told him, “You’re going to start flying like a chicken if you keep eating it every day.”
Heath’s humor, warmth, and generosity left lasting impressions on everyone he met. His friends called him "D," and he had a way of making people feel comfortable and at home. He was the person people turned to for business advice, mentorship, and encouragement. He always gave his last to those in need, embodying the principles of service and leadership.
He loved to talk about history and the world and had a playful side—his family recalls how he loved to play "ambulance," pretending to be a patient while being wheeled around on a makeshift stretcher. They even dropped him once, creating a family memory filled with laughter.
Heath often joked, "Black Jesus and the Universe got me," and he truly believed he was meant to fulfill a purpose bigger than himself. He survived three near-death experiences and considered his life a testimony to perseverance and faith.
Heath was more than an entrepreneur or leader—he was a caretaker of his culture and people. He worked tirelessly to lift others up, believing that hard work prevails every time. His impact on Austin and beyond will continue through the institutions he built, the lives he transformed, and the movements he inspired.
His family, friends, and colleagues will forever be grateful for his unwavering love, guidance, and example of excellence.
Heath is survived by his mother, Lonnie Rivers; his son, Jordan Creech; his siblings, Yolanda Dunlap, Paul Davis, Rodney Creech, and Cory Creech; his beloved aunts Billy and Maxine Taylor, and cousin Phyllis, who was raised with him. He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and close friends who loved him deeply.
He was preceded in death by his stepfather Son Davis, grandmother Alean Taylor, uncle Jimmy Taylor, aunt Pauline Taylor, and aunt Beverly Taylor.
Though he has left this world, Heath’s spirit will never fade. His life was a testament to the power of community, storytelling, and collective action.
Rest in power, Heavyweight. Your work is done, but your vision lives on.
