OUR MISSION IS…

to guide, mentor, educate, and create opportunities for the next generation of creatives entering the Furnishings industry.

We aim to provide knowledge, tools, and memberships, with a focus on leadership, inclusion, diversity and sustainability.

We are a welcoming and colorful space to foster growth. 

It is our responsibility as leaders to forge and sculpt a path forward for the next generation of BIPOC designers, artists, marketers, artisans and makers, voices to be heard.

INITIATIVES 

Internship Programs, College and High School. Currently Working with schools in the NY metro area, New England and the North Carolina Triad, to include Bipoc students, working on showhouses, with design firms, industry professionals and The Kaleidoscope Project. 

Offering a Scholarship Resource Guide, to send out to industry schools and high schools and have it available on our website.

The Kaleidoscope Project will provide scholarships to a minimum of 12 graduating Interior Design students a year with A Green Leader Certification program through The Sustainable Furnishings.

Inviting students to our INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS events, TRADE SHOWS and offering scholarships to the organization conferences. Industry organizations that are include are; WITHIT, ASIS, IFDA, NKBA, IDS, ARTS and NEWH.

Providing graduating High School students that have interned with the TKP, book store gift certificates, industry tools, and organization memberships.

Organizing Furnishings Industry career days.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Amy Lynn Schwartzbard

    Founder + Director of The Kaleidoscope Project
    Principal of Life Designs LLC and LD Hospitality
    32-year Industry Veteran

  • Nancy Fire

    Co-Founder and Creative Director of Design Works International
    Sustainable Expert
    Board Member of the SFC and the Beinenstock Furniture Library
    Expert Speaker and Connector

  • Shannon Maher

    Dean of The Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology at FIT.
    20-year Veteran of the Manufacturing and Retail Sectors of the Home Industries Field

  • Marilyn Lavergne

    Principal of Marilyn Lavergne Interiors, with a background in PR
    Art Consultant and Curator and leading our Internship Programs

  • Ezekiel Thompson

    JD, CPA
    Costello & Associates
    Graduate of NY Law
    TKP’s Accountant and Lawyer

  • David Santiago

    Team Cheerleader, Advocate and TKP Spokesperson.
    Principal Designer of Casa Santi + TV Host
    Performing Opera Tenor

 We are actively seeking Board Members for grants, fundraising, events, strategic planning, licensing, and more.