References

Who can speak to the work of Ras Tafari Inc. and Rainbow DJ Lab, and when references will be available to families.

Why we're not listing names yet

A careful parent should be able to check us out with people who aren't us. We take that seriously. That's also why we won't list references here until they've agreed to be contacted and our agreements are in place. We will not list anyone who hasn't agreed.

Status: The Lab is proposed and not running yet. The Chicago Park District has not approved or permitted it, and no staff are hired. There are no past Lab families to refer you to yet.

What we can tell you now

Ras Tafari Inc.

• An Illinois not-for-profit corporation and 501(c)(3) public charity.
• Address: 1401 E. 71st St., Chicago, IL 60619.
• Officers: Stephen Henry, President (Lab lead and family contact); Paul Kelly, Vice President and Treasurer; Albert Harris, Corporate Secretary.
• Produces SelassieFest, Chicago's roots reggae and cultural festival. SelassieFest makes its own decisions about its lineup.
• No officer, director or staff member is paid for work on the Lab today; any paid role needs approval by directors with no stake in it. See the conflict of interest policy.

References that will be available

On request, once agreements are in place, we expect to be able to put you in touch with:

• The Chicago Park District. The Rainbow Beach Park office, (312) 745-1479, is also where any concern about an adult at the Lab goes.
• Partner organizations. Organizations that sign agreements to work with the Lab or with Full Spectrum at Rainbow Beach.
• Community references who know Ras Tafari Inc.'s work.
• After the first season: Lab families who have agreed to talk with prospective families.

We'll update this page as references agree to be contacted.

What we can't share

• Staff screening references. Every adult who works with children gives references as part of hiring. Those are confidential and aren't shared. Background checks are run by the Chicago Park District under its rules, and their results aren't shared either.
• Other families' contact details, unless that family has agreed.

Check us yourself

You don't need our permission to check:

• Our safety commitments, on the safety pages.
• Our launch status, item by item, on the launch checklist.
• Any session, in person, under our open-door policy, once classes run.

Ask for a reference

Contact Stephen Henry at 872-255-9333 or stephen@selassiefest.com. Tell us what you'd like to know, and we'll connect you with the right person once references are available.