Kai Banks
Youth Innovation Director

kai@storefrontrichmond.org

Kai Banks is a Richmond native. She is currently attending Virginia Commonwealth University pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a Non-Profit Management minor. Banks is an AmeriCorps (ACES) Action for Enhancement Services Alum. During her term with ACES, she served as a co-conspirator for several non-profit organizations including The Relationship Foundation of Virginia, Girls for a Change, Higher Achievement, and the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club under the strengthening families’ initiative. She is a trained facilitator on an array of topics such as conflict resolution, trauma, social change, food access, and healthy relationships. Most recently, as an Outreach Specialist for the Richmond Food Justice Alliance her efforts have been focused on inclusive community engagement around healthy food access and policy. She is honored to join Storefront for Community Design as Director of the City Builders Design Workshop. When she is not working, Kai enjoys spending time with her family, football, traveling, and the arts.

Anya Shcherbakova
Design Session Program Manager

anya@storefrontrichmond.org

Anya is a design educator and facilitator using participatory processes to steer initiatives that improve the environments we live in. Originally from Russia she’s called Richmond home for the better half of her life. She studied Graphic Design at VCUarts and spent several years working at an interdisciplinary design studio, PLAYLAB, INC and freelancing for various clients in user experience, print/digital media and art direction in NYC. At Storefront, Anya facilitates design assistance connecting community members with professional designers, planners and mOb studio students on projects aiming to better our city. She’s passionate about making design accessible to all and harness it’s ability to solve societal issues. In her personal practice, she collaborates with artists on participatory social projects. Volunteering in community gardens in NYC sparked her passion for food and environmental justice taking her to farm apprenticeships around the world. She grows those skills by volunteering with Real Roots Food Systems finding endless guidance for 'systems design' from ecology and permaculture principles.