Staff

My name is Kaylena Barnett. I currently teach dance as well as help out as an program assistant. I have been with TBEY for almost 10 years now, and in that time I have been able to grow and develop so much. I began my journey here by dancing in the program and over time I began to realize that being around youth made me happy, and that I wanted to work with youth as well. Being apart of TBEY allowed me to explore options, volunteer, and intern so that I could really discover what it is that I wanted to do.
Working with youth for so long has inspired me to be the best that I can be, because I know that they are counting on me.

Na Tasha Carr graduated from Alverno College in 2010 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication with minors in Theatre, Dance, and Philosophy. After college she became heavily involved in teaching and directing children’s theatre. She has had the honor of teaching at First Stage Children’s Theater and TBEY Arts Center. Past stage credentials include: The Tempest, The Foreigner, Parallel Lives, 9 Parts of Desire, Necessary Targets, Wit, and Beyond Measures. Since her return to Milwaukee she has been a traveling teaching artist assisting Milwaukee Public Schools with bringing the Arts back into education. She recently starred in Methodist: The Meaning of Care, a commercial directed by Torchwerks in Omaha, Nebraska. Currently she is working on a musical about the agonizing effects of the judicial system on women of color in Milwaukee. She has been writing, directing and teaching since 2008 and is thrilled to be able to share this journey with the leaders of tomorrow.

Leah Cashaw is a recent Mount Mary University Graduate. She majored in Art Therapy and minored in Business. In the future she plans to go back to school to get her master’s degree in Art Therapy. She enjoys working in mixed media. She mostly enjoys working with collage and painting, but also enjoys weaving and hand sewing dolls and stuffed animals. She also owns a small jewelry business called Vadose Orchid Jewelry. Her jewelry is made from wood, acrylic paint and up-cycled book-pages and newspaper. She sells her jewelry on Etsy, consignment stores and at various craft fairs.

Daniel Cha is the Visual Arts Instructor at TBEY Arts Center. He is a portraiture artist. He graduated from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design with a Bachelors in the Fine Arts of Painting. Daniel is currently working at Milwaukee Public Schools to help spread art around greater Milwaukee and bring a positive message through art

Chancie Cole’s unique form of talent started while attending Milwaukee High School of the Arts, where she majored in dance and discovered her true passion. Cole studied ballet, modern, African, jazz, and hip-hop and continues to perfect her craft by taking classes. Chancie has been the lead dance instructor and choreographer for TBEY, Inc. for over 10 years, and has helped design dance curriculums for our dance programs. Cole is also the lead coach/choreographer for TBEY’s Dance Team “SuperNova” that performs at several events throughout the year. She is well known for her huge role as the lead choreographer for TBEY’s Annual Summer Dance Production “A Journey through Dance” since its inception in 2009. Chancie is active in the dance community and still performs as a member of two professional dance performance groups. Working with TBEY, Inc. Chancie has experience working with youth during and after-school hours. Chancie is a mentor, instructor, choreographer, entertainer, team player and strong leader.

Myesha Cole is responsible for developing and implementing our youth art education programs that support TBEY’s mission and aligns with the creative needs of the community and occasionally develops lesson and instructs the Visual Arts classes.  She makes sure that our teaching artists have the resources they require to sustain quality arts programming.As a visual artist in the Milwaukee, Myesha is an advocate for youth engagement in the arts. She has helped create TBEY and assisted in shaping it as a fixture for creative outlet in the community. Myesha has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has participated in organizing several arts campaigns as a member of the Board of Directors and has steered the Programming Committee as Chair. Her work history includes Office Manager at the Peck School of Arts at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and voluntarily conducts drawing workshops for Interfaith Senior Center. For over 15 years her volunteer service and work experience involves organizing several events, projects and campaigns.

Keela Coppersmith graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Psychology. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Science program at Concordia University-Wisconsin for Professional Counseling, with the intent of becoming an expressive arts therapist. Her past stage credentials include: The Bending of the Bow (Suitor), The Importance of Being Earnest (Cecily Cardew), Cats: The Musical (Tantomile), Talents and Admirers (Matryona), Lily Dale (Corella), Shakespeare in Rep (Princess of France), and A Doll’s House (Nora Helmer). She has also worked behind the scenes of several shows as props master, hair and make-up designer, costumer, and lighting assistant/board operator. As a director, she has lead several acting workshops at Lighthouse Youth Center and has taught drama to youth since 2012.

Desmond Cotton graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in December 2015 with a BFA in contemporary dance and performance choreography. He is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and began his formal training at Milwaukee High School of the Arts. Cotton has a passion for dance as well as providing dance education/training for children. He firmly believes in cultivating dance throughout the Milwaukee community; thus, inspiring and enriching the lives of his students. Desmond has been a dance instructor, choreographer, sharing his passion with Milwaukee youth at TBEY for over 10 years. He has also designed dance curriculums for our dance programs. Cotton is also the choreographer for TBEY’s Dance Team “SuperNova” that performs at several events throughout the year. He helps lead and choreograph TBEY’s Annual Summer Dance Production “A Journey through Dance” since its inception in 2009.

Elizabeth just graduated from UWM with an Art History & Religious Studies Major. She has a cat named Francine and recently took a road trip to Canada. She visited Niagara Falls, Montreal, and Toronto. Her favorite type of art is Impressionism.

Contessa Lobley (Cole) is the Principal/CEO of CC Consulting Group, LLC. She is also Executive Director/Founder of TBEY Arts Center Inc. (formerly known as Tessa’s Black Entertainment and Youth Center, Inc.) is a tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization that provides after school & summer arts education, tutoring and mentoring programs for Milwaukee youth ages 6-19. TBEY was founded over 18 years ago by Lobley at the age of 16, after seeing the arts were being cut from many schools, she recognized the need for arts programs to keep Milwaukee youth involved in something positive. She has held a position in community relations at a leading company in Milwaukee, WI as well as a position within the arts field as an arts administrator. Active in the arts, youth and education, Contessa is a small business owner and is active in several community initiatives in Milwaukee.Lobley received her master’s Degree in Cultural Foundations of Education and Bachelor of Science degree in Community Education with a sub-major in community-based organization and administrative leadership and a Business Minor from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. Mrs. Lobley received several acknowledgements, such as receiving “The CEO of Me Business Award” from the Center of Teaching Entrepreneurship, Inc as a young entrepreneur, which was recognized by the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee and its members in November 2010. Lobley is featured in the inaugural edition of the May 2011 Publication of Who’s who in Black Milwaukee. As a mentor and guest lecturer for community, arts, youth, nonprofit and entrepreneurship programs, classes and workshops, Lobley holds a strong commitment to making the Greater Milwaukee area a better place to live and work.

As a young student Oscar was part of a local non-profit organization in his hometown of Waukegan, IL, where they were able to help him and his family through the college process, allowing him to be the first in his family to attend and graduate college. In May of 2016 Oscar received his B.A in Public Relations & Advertising from DePaul University. Being the product of a non-profit organization and the opportunities that it gave him, Oscar completed a service year as an AmeriCorps member for City Year Milwaukee, 2017. As the Program and Outreach Coordinator he plans on continue partnering with the Milwaukee community and be a resource for the students at TBEY Arts Center, Inc.

David brings a 15 years of experience in business development and talent acquisition and a passionate supporter for the arts here in Milwaukee. He’s actively involved in music education for all ages performing with Milwaukee’s Brazilian percussion ensemble Samba Da Vida.