Meet the Coach
Meet Stephen Henry, the Lab's program lead and family contact, and learn what each coach profile will show once coaches are hired and cleared.
Stephen Henry, program lead and family contact
Stephen Henry is President of Ras Tafari Inc., the Chicago not-for-profit that runs Rainbow DJ Lab. He leads the Lab and is the person to call with any question, before enrollment or after.
Ras Tafari Inc. produces SelassieFest, Chicago's roots reggae and cultural festival.
How to reach Stephen:
- Phone: 872-255-9333
- Email: stephen@selassiefest.com
- Mail: Ras Tafari Inc., 1401 E. 71st St., Chicago, IL 60619
As program lead, Stephen is responsible for making sure every launch requirement is met before any class runs, and for making sure the policies on this site are followed. If he works directly with children, he goes through the same Chicago Park District background check and Lab training as every other adult (see staff screening), and his completion dates will be posted here the same way. Stephen is not paid for his work on the Lab, and no Ras Tafari Inc. officer, director or staff member is paid today. Any paid role needs approval by directors with no stake in it (see the conflict of interest policy, section 12).
Coach profiles: coming once coaches are hired and cleared
No coaches have been hired yet. A coach's profile goes up only after they've cleared the Chicago Park District background check and finished every Lab training step. Coaches are DJ trainers who are not members of Ras Tafari Inc.; they train only. Each profile will list:
| Item | What you'll see |
|---|---|
| Name and photo | Who they are, so your child can recognize them |
| Role | Lead coach, mentor, or Empress Decks coach |
| DJ background | What they play and how long they've played |
| Chicago Park District background check | Date cleared (run by the Park District under its rules) |
| References | Date checked |
| Youth-protection training | Date completed |
| DCFS mandated reporter training | Date completed |
| Pediatric first aid/CPR/AED (if they hold it) | Issuing body and expiration date |
| Next background re-check due | On the Park District's schedule |
We'll post dates, not the private results or documents themselves.
Video introductions: coming
We plan to post a short video of each coach introducing themselves, so your child can "meet" them before day one. These will be added after coaches are hired and cleared.
Until then
You're welcome to call Stephen and ask anything: how coaches will be chosen, what the interview looks like, or what happens if someone doesn't clear the Park District's background check. See Instructors for how coaches are chosen and screened.