EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Chelsey is an entrepreneur that has a focal point of enhancing quality of life for developmentally-disabled adults. Spending many years in the music industry, Chelsey has a strong belief in arts powerful ability to change the world. Working in several residential settings, Chelsey is thrilled about the unique model that Belong provides for independent living.

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Ian Uponen (he/him/his) is a 32-year-old musician, writer, teacher, and Portlander of over 10 years. He loves art of all kinds, but his main mediums are music, film, radio, and podcasting. Music especially has long been both his passion and livelihood; he loves to teach, play, and share it, and he currently plays in three bands. He also watches roughly one movie per day on average, at home or in the theater, and he hosted a radio show for seven years and is hoping to get back into podcasting soon!

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CJ Wiggan is a Jamaican-American writer, illustrator, and performance creator, making emotional artwork about nature, relationships, and magic. CJ practices meditation and active listening and uses these skills to take an understanding and relaxed approach to work and new relationships. They love being in nature and interacting with people in natural settings, helping them learn how to achieve their goals. 

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Zora has worked as a support staff in various iterations for over a decade. She has stayed working in the DSP/Care worker field because of the personal connections she has made with the people she has worked with, and the impact she's been able to make through her work. She enjoys writing and performing stand-up comedy, music, gardening and chess.

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Brooke (they/them) is a visual artist and drummer with a background in the mental health field as well as Graphic Design. Brooke moved to Portland in 2020 from Salt Lake City, Utah and is currently on the path to getting their Art Therapy Masters starting the fall of 2025. Brooke recently moved into the Belong Art Community and is looking forward to bringing their passions for the arts as well as their past work experience to Artsify. Brooke’s primary art form is visual arts (drawing mixed with watercolor paints). Brooke also enjoys crafting, painting, and drumming and plans to learn the Keyboard while working at Artsify. Other hobbies Brooke enjoys are walks in the woods, card and board games, video editing, crafting, theatre, movies, dancing, and so much more. Brooke enjoys getting to know people and fostering a welcoming environment for people to feel a sense of belonging while empowering the unique gifts of those individuals.