About Us
We established Focus Fairies Mentoring on February 17, 2017 because we saw the need for mentorship in the community for the young ladies due to lack of resources, guidance, and support in the home and opportunity in Chicago Public Schools. Our organization is comprised of women who did not let their circumstances overcome them, but in fact, overcome their circumstances. Each of us has come from different walks of life and we want to share our life experiences, trials, tribulations, and how we overcame life struggles to empower, motivate and inspire our youth. We strongly believe that because a child is born into poverty, they don’t have to be a product of their environment.
- Darra Michelle & Kenya Cole
Kenya
Darra
is the co-founder and co-Executive Director of Focus Fairies Mentoring. A native of the Westside of Chicago, Kenya fell in love with nonprofit work as a teenager. Her desire to dive into the nonprofit sector was sparked by her love of cooking; Kenya utilized this passion to volunteer within the community by feeding the homeless. Eventually, she also began mentoring young women at an early age. These two acts of selflessness created the groundwork for her current passion for charitable work. Over the years, Kenya has devoted her time and talent to giving back to underrepresented communities and guiding young girls throughout their journey of finding purpose of direction. Her natural ability to resonate with the younger generation makes her a force to be reckoned with and has solidified her position within the Chicagoland area as a notable nonprofit leader.
was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, a side of the city that historically lacks resources and opportunities, compared to other neighborhoods throughout the city. Her experiences fueled her desire to make a change; therefore, she dedicated her collegiate studies to doing so. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration from Northern Illinois University in 2013 and later received her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Argosy University three years later.
Kenya J. Conley
Darra Michelle
Focus Fairies Mentoring is a mentoring opportunity like no other. It offers guidance on everything from self-esteem to interpersonal relationships; they'll learn how fairy tales can help shape your future plans through workshops that combine fun activities like arts & crafts dance movement therapy while learning life lessons about leadership skills too - all taught by real-world experts who know what works best when dealing directly with kids.
- Darryca Brim-Mims, Co-Founder
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Kenya
Darra
is the co-founder and co-Executive Director of Focus Fairies Mentoring. A native of the Westside of Chicago, Kenya fell in love with nonprofit work as a teenager. Her desire to dive into the nonprofit sector was sparked by her love of cooking; Kenya utilized this passion to volunteer within the community by feeding the homeless. Eventually, she also began mentoring young women at an early age. These two acts of selflessness created the groundwork for her current passion for charitable work. Over the years, Kenya has devoted her time and talent to giving back to underrepresented communities and guiding young girls throughout their journey of finding purpose of direction. Her natural ability to resonate with the younger generation makes her a force to be reckoned with and has solidified her position within the Chicagoland area as a notable nonprofit leader.
was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, a side of the city that historically lacks resources and opportunities, compared to other neighborhoods throughout the city. Her experiences fueled her desire to make a change; therefore, she dedicated her collegiate studies to doing so. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration from Northern Illinois University in 2013 and later received her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Argosy University three years later.
Kenya J. Cole
Darra Michelle
Focus Fairies Mentoring is a mentoring opportunity like no other. It offers guidance on everything from self-esteem to interpersonal relationships; they'll learn how fairy tales can help shape your future plans through workshops that combine fun activities like arts & crafts dance movement therapy while learning life lessons about leadership skills too - all taught by real-world experts who know what works best when dealing directly with kids.
- Darryca Brim-Mims, Co-Founder
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Want to support us?
Diversity
Reliability
Professionalism
Collaboration
Leadership
Confidence
Our Core Values
Read More
She has worked directly within the nonprofit community as a Project Coordinator and Administrator for over four years. Throughout this time, Darryca successfully honed her skill sets acquired through personal, academic, and professional experiences to mold herself into the successful nonprofit co-founder and entrepreneur that she is today. Her ability to forge relationships, juggle multiple projects, and adjust to fast-paced settings have all contributed to her success in the nonprofit realm.
Darryca’s ultimate mission is to continue being the positive influence among young adolescents that she feels that she needed during her adolescent years. She has a fiery passion for community engagement, youth development, and self-empowerment. The same passion that fuels her desire to be an advocate for underrepresented communities has catapulted her into a well-respected and admirable leader within various communities in the Chicagoland area.
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Our Team
LaToya Hooker
Ericka Gaines
Brooke Dunlap
Joy Onuoha
Paris Duke
Ebony Turner
Dominique Jackson
JoAnn Taylor
Mentor
Board Member
Director of Programs
Administrative
Assistant
Mentor
Mentor
Mentor
Mentor
