Meet Jeannie Kim | Art Educator & Co-Founder of Young Creators Initiative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeannie Kim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeannie, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Young Creators Initiative started with a few simple observations from my daughters. I’m an art teacher now, but before that, I worked as a 3D animator in the film and video game industry, and my children have always had a strong interest in art.

When my older daughter, Sophia, was 13, we were walking down the street and happened to pass by a beautiful mural. She stopped and said, “If schools had artwork like this, students would really love it.” Not long after, my younger daughter, Lauren, shared how making art helped her feel calmer and more connected with others in her classroom. Those conversations stayed with me, and eventually, my daughters and I decided to create Young Creators Initiative together as co-founders.

Today, we focus on working with public schools that want murals but simply don’t have the skills, resources, or funding to make them happen. Many schools have large, empty walls that are perfect for murals, yet often go unused. We do our best to keep costs as low as possible, and when funding falls short, we actively share our mission and work closely with our supporters and donors who believe in bringing art into these spaces.

To us, school murals are not just about beautification. They are about emotion, healing, and creating an uplifting atmosphere for students. Color can have a powerful impact on children who spend most of their day inside school buildings. A colorful environment can bring joy, comfort, and a sense of warmth to thousands of students.

At the same time, the process is just as meaningful for the teens who paint the murals. Working together to create something beautiful, and seeing the finished piece displayed in a public space for the community to enjoy, is a deeply meaningful and empowering experience for everyone involved.

Our goal isn’t simply to paint walls. It’s to bring joy to children through art, while helping young people understand that their creativity can positively impact others. We believe these experiences stay with them long after the paint dries, and that being part of something meaningful leaves our young creators with memories that last a lifetime.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My creative journey hasn’t followed a straight path, but every step has shaped who I am today. I began my career as a 3D animator in the film and video game industry, and later also worked at a research institute at USC. Through these experiences, I learned the importance of technical excellence, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.

After getting married and becoming a mother, I found a deep sense of joy and fulfillment in nurturing young children’s creativity. That experience naturally led me into art education. Working closely with children reminded me that art is a powerful way to express oneself and heal emotionally, both for the person creating it and for those experiencing it.

Founding Young Creators Initiative allowed me to bring these two worlds together. Drawing from my professional art background and my perspective as an educator, I now create opportunities for young people to use their creativity to make a positive impact on real spaces and their communities. Seeing murals that students worked on with care, dedication, and joy become part of schools and neighborhoods leaves a lasting impression every time.

This journey has not always been easy. Nonprofit work requires a great deal of effort behind the scenes, along with constant reflection and courage. Through that process, I learned that meaning and impact matter far more than recognition.

The message I hope to share is simple. Art is not just about creating something beautiful. It connects people, supports emotional well-being, and builds confidence in one’s ability to contribute to the world. When young people create with purpose, the experience goes beyond the artwork itself and becomes part of their personal growth.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’ve lived in the South Bay for about 15 years, so if a close friend was visiting, Palos Verdes would be the first place I’d want to show them.

I’d start by heading into the hills, to take in the fresh air and the stunning ocean views. Palos Verdes is great for hiking and golf, and on a lucky day, you might even spot whales along the coastline.

There are a few restaurants in Palos Verdes with incredible views, so I’d choose one where we could slow down, enjoy a good meal, and simply relax. It’s a place that naturally invites you to step away from the pace of everyday life and reconnect with nature.

From there, I’d head to nearby Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach. Both areas are perfect for walking, shopping, and spending time right by the ocean. Together, Palos Verdes and the surrounding beach cities capture what I love most about this area, a place where you can pause, reset, and truly enjoy life, even in the midst of a busy routine.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to dedicate this shoutout to the students, families, and schools who believed in us and trusted us from the very beginning.

The schools we partnered with entrusted us with their walls and welcomed us with open arms. They believed in our mission and supported the passion and creativity of our young people. That trust meant everything to us.

I also want to recognize the youth volunteers who show up with open hearts and willing hands. Many of them are balancing school and other activities, yet they chose to spend their time creating something meaningful for others. Watching them work together, support one another, and take pride in their finished murals is what keeps me going.

On a personal level, I’m incredibly grateful to my daughters, Sophia and Lauren. Their curiosity, creativity, and simple observations about the world are what sparked this journey in the first place. They remind me every day why this work matters.

Finally, I want to thank the parents, teachers, our communities, and our incredibly generous sponsors and supporters who quietly encourage us, donate materials, spread the word, and cheer us on behind the scenes. Young Creators Initiative truly exists because of a community that believes in the power of art and young people.

Website: https://www.ycinitiative.org

Instagram: ycinitiative_org

Image Credits
Photos courtesy of Young Creators Initiative. Some images by Hannah Lim