De Nichols is a multi-hyphenate changemaker, a force for good and an ever-buzzing idea catalyst. She is an arts-based organizer, social impact designer, self-described serial entrepreneur, and keynote lecturer. Her impressive list of accomplishments and accolades is proof that she puts in the work, approaches it authentically, and delivers on an ever-growing vision to improve communities and systems…
“The National Youth Art Movement Against Gun Violence (NYAM) is the first non-profit project in Chicago and in the U.S. to use a combination of art activism, commercial billboards, and Augmented Reality technology for large-scale, youth-led campaigns for social good. Our art is mobile and interactive. Each piece is developed by youth between the ages…
Food can be nostalgic and sensory, personal and communal. It can transport you to far-off places or bring you back home. It provides sustenance and stories. Before moving to Chicago, Ana and Mario Vela’s life in Texas included a deep-rooted ritual of enjoying breakfast tacos with friends and family. With recipes passed down from her…
The world sometimes works in mysterious, wonderful ways. Meeting Eric Benson, Co-founder of Fresh Press and Re-nourish, was one of those times in which lives connect across great distances and then circle back oddly close to home. A few summers ago I found myself at a professional crossroads, as a grant I’d been working with…
Sometimes the stars of location and inspiration align, as they did for me when I stumbled upon WORK+SHELTER. Always on the lookout for conscious content and organizations to follow, my scrolling thumb stopped on a vibrant, joyful photo of Indian women posing with rad, handmade bags. I went to the profile, then to the website,…
