I believe creativity is a form of care — that how we build, plant, and imagine together shapes the way we live. My work has never been about a single project or place, but about what happens when people come together around an idea that feels bigger than themselves. From transforming vacant lots into sunflower fields to turning city blocks into thriving arts districts, I’ve spent my career exploring how creativity can rebuild not just neighborhoods, but our sense of belonging to one another.

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I grew up in Phoenix, where the desert taught me that beauty often begins with persistence — a seed pushing through hard soil. That lesson followed me through every chapter of my life: founding the Growhouse Urban Agriculture Center to teach sustainability and stewardship; guiding Roosevelt Row’s transformation into one of the country’s most celebrated arts districts; and co-founding Phoenix General Store, a brand rooted in design, community, and the belief that commerce can also be culture. Along the way, I’ve worked with thousands of volunteers, students, and artists who proved that when people roll up their sleeves together, they don’t just change a space — they change themselves.

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Now based in New York, I continue to explore the intersections of art, sustainability, and community—bridging creativity with civic life to strengthen the fabric of place. My work remains rooted in collaboration and care, guided by the belief that transformation begins with imagination and grows through shared effort. At its heart, my practice is about cultivating spaces—both physical and cultural—where people can see possibility where others see nothing, and come together to build something lasting.

ABOUT 
 

Kenny Barrett is a dynamic, mission-driven leader recognized for transforming organizations, places, and ideas into thriving ecosystems of creativity, sustainability, and community impact. Kenny Barrett is known for blending entrepreneurial vision with civic purpose—building and scaling award-winning brands, nonprofits, and public initiatives at the intersection of art, environment, and engagement. A results-oriented and collaborative executive, he’s valued for his hands-on approach to strategy, operations, and storytelling that connects people to place and purpose.

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As Executive Director of the Growhouse Urban Agriculture Center, Kenny led one of Arizona’s most innovative sustainability organizations, transforming vacant city blocks into community gardens, youth training programs, and public art sites that became national models for urban greening. Under his leadership, Growhouse secured major grants and corporate sponsorships from partners including Intel, UPS, and Arizona Public Service, while launching educational programs that engaged more than 5,000 volunteers annually. As co-founder of Phoenix General Store, he grew a local boutique into an acclaimed regional brand that has been voted “Best Clothing Store” every year since 2016, expanded to multiple locations, and created sustainable in-house product lines and cultural events that strengthened the city’s creative economy. Previously, as Acting Executive Director of the Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation, Kenny guided the revitalization of downtown Phoenix’s arts district—securing foundation support, producing events that drew more than 150,000 annual visitors, and launching initiatives like the Mural Match Program and Adaptive Reuse of Temporary Space (ARTS), which activated dozens of blighted properties into public spaces.

 

A creative strategist and connector, Kenny’s expertise spans nonprofit management, brand development, urban revitalization, and cross-sector partnerships. He has served as a collaborator and advisor to artists, entrepreneurs, developers, and city leaders, advancing inclusive, environmentally responsible growth and shaping equitable frameworks for community participation. His work has been recognized by the American Planning Association, ArtPlace America, and the National Endowment for the Arts, and continues to inspire civic innovation and creative engagement nationwide.

Kenny holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Advertising Management from Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership and Management. Originally from Phoenix and now based in New York City, he remains dedicated to exploring how creativity and collaboration can shape more resilient, connected, and sustainable communities.