About R16S

Nailah is co-lead of our Sculpture Createshops with Antwane Lee.

Antwane Lee is an architect and artist in Chicago. He has a B.S. in Architectural Studies degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He holds architectural licenses in the states of Illinois, Florida, Texas, and Wisconsin and a National Council of Architectural Registration Board certificate. Antwane has practiced architecture for over 26 years and currently works at Globetrotters Engineering. As an artist, he explores the intersections between history, mythology, and art in a contemporary context. As a person of African descent and lover of the ancient past, he likes to incorporate design aesthetics and principles from diasporic regions to educate and uplift communities. Antwane was a recipient of the 2021 Individual Artist Program Grant through the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. He created a large steel sculpture for the 2021 Bullfrog Biennale at the Goldwell Museum in Rhyolite, Nevada called Ancestral Totem. He received an Art Honorarium through Burning Man Project from 2020-2022 and designed and built a large-scale installation called The Solar Shrine for the Nevada event in 2022 that was inspired by the magical realism of Ancient Egypt and Nubia. In 2022 he also received art grants from Love Burn in Miami, Florida and Lakes of Fire in Rothbury, Michigan for The Solar Barque and The Gateway Projects, respectively. In 2023 he was selected as one of six designers to participate in the Chicago Sukkah Design Festival that was also an activation site for the Chicago Architecture Biennial. He is currently working on an Ethiopian Museum in Chicago.

Antwane is co-lead of our Sculpture Createshops with Nailah Golden.

Jay is co-lead of our Photo Archiving & Design Createshops.

Rasharra Smith is Program Coordinator for the FCAC’s SparkArts programming. Youth leader, independent artist and writer. My mission and the FCAC’s mission is to interrupt the cycle of violence among youth and young adults in North Lawndale through the power of arts and faith. Providing youth the opportunity to SPARK their creativity. 

Marvin Tate is an internationally known Poet and Performer, born and raised in North Lawndale. His works have been heard on NPR's "This American Life" and BBC Radio's "Poetry Detective;" the Berlin Jazz Fest, Pitchfork, Oslo, Norway and in Helsinki, Finland.  As an Author he has published two books of poetry and has been in numerous Anthologies. He is presently the Artist in Residence at Theater Y (3611 West Cermak) and has performed in their critically acclaimed theater production, Little Carl.

Marvin is heading up the Storytelling Createshops for Reimagining 16th Street.

Item Featured in The Guardian, Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Reader, on HBO, WBEZ, WTTW, and on international television and radio, multidisciplinary artist Nikki Patin has been writing since she was 7. In 2014, Patin addressed the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on behalf of Black women and girl survivors of sexual violence. Nikki Patin holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction from the University of Southern Main. She is the Founder and Executive Producer of Surviving the Mic, an Elastic Arts Dark Matter Arts Resident, and the recipient of the 2024 Leadership Award from The Network. Patin’s debut memoir, Working on Me, was recently released on Vine Leaves Press.  description

Corey Dooley is an Author, Artist, and Entrepreneur. He received his undergraduate degree from Concordia University Chicago and also holds a Masters Degree from Arizona State University. Corey is the founder of CommunityCorey LLC, publishing his first children's book in 2023. Corey currently lives in Chicago with his wife, Sierra. His focus is locked in on hyper-local economic development along commercial corridors on Chicago's westside. His vision is to create PRIME29 CHICAGO, a youth-led business organizations whose focus is on developing young entrepreneurs and professionals on the west side of Chicago in the 29th Ward. Corey is co-lead with our photo archiving and design Createshops with Jay Simon.

Kent “Kenlo Key” Jones is the founder of Jones Corner Store, a boutique design agency rooted in Pilsen, Chicago. As a graphic designer, brand strategist, and social media expert, he spearheads the branding and digital presence for the transformative Reimagining 16th Street initiative. His impactful work extends to North Lawndale, where he co-created the educational coloring book Elvin Explores North Lawndale with his co-founder Jay Simon, offering a fresh lens into the neighborhood’s rich history and culture. With a dynamic portfolio featuring collaborations with celebrities, established brands, and local businesses, Kenlo’s design acumen plays a pivotal role in driving the cultural and economic revitalization of Chicago’s communities. Explore more of his work on Instagram @kenlokey.