We are motivated to help students combat loneliness.

Loneliness is not new a problem for children and adolescents. In one study from before the pandemic, time trends of eight-year-olds’ loneliness across 24 years showed that up to 20% of children consistently reported feeling lonely. - National Library of Medicine

We know that the antidote to our most complex social challenges is connection - an essential human experience that appears to be simple, but is increasingly challenging to cultivate.

Using the foundations of social emotional learning and Emotional Intelligence, The Brainchild Collective designs and curates thoughtful educational experiences designed to empower connection, mental well-being, creativity and purpose.

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You can find us delivering youth programs and teacher professional development in schools across our home city of Chicago, hosting local, national and international events on EQ in the workplace, and reaching families throughout Chicago through our TBC at home workshops.

Interested in bringing TBC to your school or community space? Drop us a line at info@brainchildcollective.co.

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The Brainchild Collective is committed to social impact at every level. For us, this means we support artists and educators with sustainable employment, invest in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training and HR practices, and practice transparent compensation across all levels of our organization.


  • Debra Giunta is a purpose-driven Founder, CEO and Advisor whose life’s work is centered around Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).

    As a TEDx speaker, recipient of the 2016 Goodcity Women’s InnovationFund Award, Crain's Chicago 2020 Notable Entrepreneur, Founding Board Member of the Illinois Dance Education Organization, and active mentor for growing organizations, Debra is driven by a lifetime of learning and development for herself and others.

    Informed by her creative and visionary approach to social entrepreneurship, Debra is on a mission to create spaces and experiences where individuals feel supported and empowered in order for them to reach their greatest potential.

    In 2008, Debra founded Design Dance, a dance education company inspired by the positive impact dance had on her own social and emotional development during her time as a competitive performer and teacher.

    Continuing to infuse social and emotional learning into personal and professional development, Debra expanded her focus to include teenagers and young adults. In 2016, she founded Prismatic, a 501(c)(3) non-profit bringing holistic career readiness learning to Chicago students in 6th-12th grades.

    Debra credits healthy, supportive environments to her own personal and professional development. She is committed to creating the spaces and experiences that empower each of us to lean into our vulnerabilities in order to unlock our authentic selves and positively contribute to our community and world.

    In support of continuing to expand her impact to all ages, in 2019, Debra founded The Brainchild Collective, a platform to expand the reach of social emotional learning organizations in her home city of Chicago.


  • Mahder is a results-driven professional with a background in Computer Science and nearly four years of experience in account and project management. Specializing in Agile methodologies, Mahder thrives on improving processes, fostering collaboration, and delivering tailored solutions.

    Through administrative coordination, data management and communications, she supports Prismatic's core operations to deliver impactful programs for students, school partners and donors.

    Outside of work, Mahder enjoys reading and exploring new activities, always eager to learn and grow.


  • Admira is a dynamic financial professional with over 10 years of experience in accounting and financial analysis. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, she developed an interest in understanding the why’s. She decided to pursue her degree in Business Economics at Oakland University, combined with Masters in Accounting at CUNY. In her free time, Admira loves to be outdoors exploring nature, capturing its beauty with her camera.

  • Camila Rivero Pooley [she/they] is a Venezuelan/Peruvian movement artist based in Chicago, IL.

    Within her artistic trajectory she has performed for U.S. based artists Erin Kilmurray [“SEARCH PARTY”, “Fly Honey Show X” and “Nightshade”], Alex Grelle [“Lady Di” and “The Grelley Duvall Show 4”], Body Watani [“TERRANEA”], Peruvian dance artist Verónica Garrido Lecca [“Ser o Hacer” and “Donde se esconden las flores”] and worked as a director for Peruvian theater Teatro La Plaza [“FRONDOSO”] and ZINFORMA [“iORGAN”].

    She is a recipient of the Albert P. Weisman Award [2018], received an Honorable Mention at the Experimental Forum in NYC 2020 [“iORGAN”], was listed as an Official Selection of the Blow Up Film Festival in Chicago 2020 [“iORGAN”], selected as a competitor for Best Scenic Video Selection for FAE 2021 in Lima, Peru [“Sábanas”] and exhibited at the SPACES gallery in Cleveland, OH 2021 [“Sábanas”].

    She has worked with multiple pedagogical institutions such as Design Dance, Hubbard Dance Street Chicago and Markham College (Lima, PE). Currently she is a Program Coordinator and educator with The Brainchild Collective.


  • Julia Schaeffer, originally from California, began dancing at age 13. She received her BFA in Dance

    Performance from Chapman University where she studied ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary. After graduation, Julia danced with the Lineage dance company for four years where she had the privilege of performing and teaching community outreach classes. She relocated to Chicago in summer 2019 and has enjoyed getting to know the wonderful Chicago dance community.

    Since moving to Chicago, Julia has danced for South Chicago Dance Theatre at ‘Night Out in the Parks’, Joel Hall Dancers and Center in ‘Dances in the Hall’, Kaela Norwood in ‘Fused’, Mariah Eastman in ‘Patternalia’, Contretemps Contemporary Ballet in “Heat Lightning”, and is currently a company dancer with Winifred Haun and Dancers. She teaches various ages and styles at local studios such as Dance on Broadway, Design Dance, and Chicago Ballet Arts. Additionally, she had the opportunity to present her choreography at Trifecta’s Emerging Choreographer Showcase and The Chi Dance Fest. Julia is very grateful to be involved in the vibrant Chicago dance community.

  • Terrence Lorenzo is a multi-disciplinary artist and youth advocate from Chicago. Specializing in Drama & Speech as well as Hip Hop Dance, he has developed curriculum as an independent contractor intended to build both technique and confidence. He moreover aims to culminate experiences in the form of major projects and engage with the greater Chicagoland area (Public Schools, Park Districts, etc). He is excited to join The Brainchild Collective in this important work!

Kenya Fulton

  • Kenya Fulton, (who writes and performs under the name Kao Ra Zen), hails from Chicago, Illinois. Much of Kenya's art practice involves creative writing, spoken word, music, video directing, and performance art. He has also been involved in projects involving drawing, painting, acting, modeling, and dance. He has curated events and performed at many prominent venues throughout Chicago including Symphony Center, Links Hall, Dank Haus (German American Cultural Center), Subterranean, Alhambra Palace, and Elastic Arts. In his travels, he has performed and exhibited artwork in Germany, performed at an Open Mic in Guatemala, and helped to install solar panels in El Salvador.

    Kenya's poetry (credited as Kao Ra Zen) has appeared in 'Not My President-The Anthology of Dissent' from Thoughtcrime Press, 'Illinois's Best Emerging Poets' and 'America's Best Emerging Poets’ from Z Publishing, 'A Love Supreme’ (an oral history of Chicago Hip Hop collective, the legendary Nacrobats), Fnewsmagazine, Tuck Magazine, Highland Park Poetry, and 'Gut Check digest' from Shady Pines Radio.

    Starting in February 2020, Kao Ra Zen has directed and released multiple music videos, including "Morning in America", "F.T.A.", "Advent", and "Fight Forever".. Kao would direct the debut music video, "Killing in the Name of Love" for longtime friend and creative collaborator, Dodo Mafioso, released in April 2020. Following the murder of George Floyd, Kao would team up with another Chicago Hip-Hop stalwart, Ness The God, to release the single and music video, "I'm Tired", on the 4th of July, 2020.

    In 2015, Kenya would earn an Associate in Fine Arts degree from Harold Washington College. A recipient of a Presidential Merit Scholarship, Kenya would earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in December 2020. He has plans to eventually earn a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing.

    He is currently recording material for his solo debut album, 'TIME of the SIGNS', as well as working on music with his performance art/music troupe, The Ungovernables, for an EP tentatively titled: "SUMMER of LOVE".

    Kenya works as a substitute teacher and a teaching artist at multiple schools in Chicago.

  • Fay Florence-Steddum is a multidisciplinary community-based artist and performer, skilled in acting, directing, playwriting, poetic-voice, movement, dance, costumes, technical design/operation and ensemble-based devised theatre. Having performed and taught internationally in China, India, Mexico, and across the United States, Fay received their Masters of Fine Arts from Dell’ Arte International in Blue Lake, California, before calling Chicago home. In just a few short years, Fay has since collaborated with over 40 different community partners, facilitating short and long-term performance programs for thousands of students and young people across Chicago, as well as in neighboring suburbs, and states. As an independent playmaker and ensemble member of Chicago’s Theater Unspeakable, Fay’s passion for new and experimental art is reinforced by the flourishing storefront theatre scene unique to Chicago. When Fay is not actively immersed in art making, you can find them feeding their storytellers soul: listening to music, touring museums, gardening, engaging in social justice initiatives, and spending quality time with friends and family in nature.

KiEra Banks


  • Ki’Era is a self starting teaching artist and community activist who focuses most of her work in low-income communities of color in an effort to create and maintain resources. After 10 years as a teaching artist and professional dancer, Ki’ Era offers unique skills and perspectives that would be valuable to any organization looking to incorporate socio-emotional and cultural learning to its curriculum.


  • Chanelle Turnbull began her dance training where she was born and raised in Greensboro, NC at The Pointe! Studio of Dance. There she also attended summer training programs such as Dance Theatre of Harlem, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and Duke Ellington School of the Arts Dance Program. After high school, Chanelle continued her dance training at East Carolina University where she graduated with her bachelor’s in fine arts Degree in 2021. There she received great training from her professors and was able to train with many outside choreographers such as Jennifer Archibald and even Daniel Madoff from the Merce Cunningham Trust. While in school she was also able to receive a full scholarship to the International Blacks in Dance Association where she continued to learn from great African American dancers and choreographers. This inspired Chanelle to really focus on teaching and choreographing while in school as well. Upon graduation from college, she continued to pursue her dance career by teaching at her home studio in Greensboro while also pursuing her passion to perform onstage. In the fall of 2022 Chanelle received a full scholarship to Visceral Dance Chicago’s Trainee Program where she trained under various instructors and got to experience Company life firsthand, while also teaching for the youth program even now. Currently she is a company dance member of Red Clay Dance Company for their 15th season! Chanelle hopes to continue to grow her artistry and spread her love of joy for dance in Chicago.

Katherine Schwartz

  • Katherine is a professional actor in Chicago and is very excited to be teaching with Brainchild Collective! She has been in the city for 17 years and can't wait to share her performing arts knowledge. Some favorite credits include productions with The Artistic Home, Irish Theatre of Chicago, Promethean Theatre, Shattered Globe, and Signal Ensemble.

    Katherine is a Jeff nominee for Best Ensemble for The Drowning Girls in 2016 with Signal Ensemble and a 2017 Broadway World nominee for Best Ensemble for The Liar with Promethean Theatre.

    In her spare time, Katherine can be found writing in coffee shops, exploring the city, doting on her two kitties Camille and Elsie, and volunteering at PAWS!

  • Adanya Gilmore is a teacher, writer and movement artist born in Washington DC, raised across the Midwest, and currently residing in Chicago. Drawing from multiple intersections of histories and experiences, their artistic process is improvisatory and centers divergent, goofy, and queer narrative dance from a Black femme-nist perspective. More recently their movement studies generate characters and personal cultural references. She recently graduated with an MFA in Dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she met incredible people and learned how to teach. Her favorite classes to lead are improvisation and floor work, where they can access play, be silly, and have fun. They have worked with artists such as Jennifer Monson, Tere O'Connor, Dr. Cynthia Oliver, Gina T'ai, Christine Johnson, Ching-i Chang and jess pretty. Their writing has been published by the Chicago publication Sixty Inches From Center and the Humanities Research Institute at UIUC.


  • Hi I’m Katie! Also known by students as Bob. (Katie Bob if we need to be formal) I’m a trained improviser, writer, and director that also loves to dance. I graduated college with a theater arts degree that sent me here to train and graduate from multiple Chicago-based comedy/improv theaters by 2018. I’ve been working in the Chicago improv theater world for 7 years and learned to dance formally as a child but never stopped learning and loving the art form. I stumbled into teaching on accident and thankful for it as I’ve thoroughly enjoyed teaching the last 5 years. I love seeing how creative students can become when they are set free within the boundaries of an arts classroom. My favorite is seeing the discoveries being made about themselves and their skills in real time, and the enjoyment that follows. :)


  • A native Chicagoan and dedicated youth development professional, GiGi brings her expertise in youth development and social-emotional learning to create transformative experiences for young people across the city.

    As Program Coordinator at Prismatic, GiGi designs and implements culturally responsive programming that bridges creative expression with essential life skills development. Her innovative approach to youth development is shaped by her deep understanding of the diverse experiences and needs of Chicago's young people, particularly those from traditionally underserved communities.

    Drawing from her background as both an artist and educator over the past 5 years, GiGi has developed a unique methodology that combines arts-based learning with social-emotional skill building. Her programming creates safe, empowering spaces where young people can explore their creativity while developing crucial leadership and interpersonal skills.


  • Rahila is a movement artist and instructor based in the Midwest. She has performed new works and repertoire by Abigail Sena Atugah, Kofi Anthonio, Judith Brin Ingber, Karen Charles, Marciano Dos Silva Santos, Drew Lewis (House of DOV), Carl Flink, Kevin Iega Jeff, Ohad Naharin, Andrea Miller, Robert Moses, Leslie Parker, Uri Sands, Chris Schlicting, Erin Kilmurray, Anna Martine Whitehead, and Tali Wertheim- Agranionik and more in and outside the US dance community. Her works have been shown through the support of Chicago DanceWorks, Synapse Arts, Co.mpany Projects, Twenty Percent Productions, Jerusalem Jazz Festival, and Thodos Dance Chicago. In 2021 she received Chicago’s 3Art’s Make A Wave Award along with 120 Chicago based artists. She toured nationally with Red Clay Dance Company from 2021-2024, and currently performs in Anna Martine Whitehead’s FORCE! An Opera in 3 Acts. Rahila regularly performs and composes music with the music collective Family Junket.

Darrell Roberts


  • Creative design professional with production work experience holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Visual Communications & Graphic Design. Graduated from the International Academy of Design & Technology with specialties in document layouts, illustrations, prepress, type design, digital imaging, and concept development. Currently work as the business owner and designer of Citsitra Designs & Printing but always looking for new ventures in the world of creativity to become apart of.


  • Roy is an artist and educator who has taught music and drama at a number of institutions in Chicago. His career began by specializing in students with Autism, and later grew into roles expanding upon his background in performance; from teaching movement to Pre-K children, to helping improve the literacy of high schoolers through script-reading.

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