The KAF Foundation · Youth Arts & Entrepreneurship · Gainesville, FL
From gift to proof.
Using the creative arts as a vehicle for youth entrepreneurship. Bring our programs to your students, or book our creatives for your next event this school year.
Using the creative arts as a vehicle for youth entrepreneurship. Bring our programs to your students, or book our creatives for your next event this school year.
To use the creative arts to teach business methods, entrepreneurial thinking, and life skills through hands on programs, arts based events, and community service.
What we actually do.
01 / Hands-On Programs
Learn it. Build it. Own it.
Creator Bound walks young creatives through a complete project cycle, tangible skills and direction, from concept to showcase, giving them a new outlook along the way, in a real production environment.
02 / Arts Based Events
Culture you can feel.
Community arts events organized by The KAF Foundation (cultural nights, arts gatherings, public programming) that unite people and build belonging. These events run independent of the program cycle.
03 / Community Service
Show up first, always.
The Community School Readiness Event (CSRE). 100+ families served and 200+ bags of supplies distributed in year one, mostly out of pocket. We give before we ask. Every time.
The cycle we work through.
The KAF Foundation walks every Cohort Member through the full cycle, from discovering their gift to standing behind it in public.
Young creatives see the specific path available to them: what it actually looks like to build something real with their gift.
The gift goes to work. Knowing you're a photographer is different from getting paid as one. Activation means applied monetization, mentorship through real conditions.
Growth becomes public proof: an audience, an event, an outcome. The culmination for the Cohort Member, and a platform for the community.
The creative arts as intervention and inspiration.
The KAF Foundation works in step with the arts in health field, the research and organizations already proving what the creative arts as intervention and inspiration can do in a community. This cycle, Expose, Activate, Showcase, is how we put that to work.
“Even during moments where I felt like giving up, he kept my head up and reminded me to keep pushing.”
— Ashton Booker, Creator Bound Scholar #001, Krescent Klothing
This Summer's Recap
Take a look at what we got into this summer in Gainesville.
August 8, 2026
CSRE: BREAKTHROUGH
Heartwood Community, Gainesville
Community School Readiness Event, Year 2. Free backpacks. Live music. Community. Served 100+ Eastside families and gave out 300+ bags of supplies, in partnership with the Gainesville Fire Department, Impact GNV, and PACE Center for Girls. Raised $2,117 with help from the community.
Be part of what's being built.
Sponsor a program. Partner on an event. Donate. Refer a young creative who's ready to build something real.
Built to run
the full arc.
Our mission is to use the creative arts to teach business methods, entrepreneurial thinking, and life skills through hands on programs, arts based events, and community service.
The talent is here.
The bridge wasn't.
Every community in Florida has young people with creative gifts. What is missing is the bridge between potential and proof, between discovering a gift and knowing how to activate it, earn from it, and stand behind it in public.
The KAF Foundation walks every Cohort Member all the way through: from discovering their gift, to activating it and learning to earn from it, to standing in front of a real audience with something real to show.
By the time someone completes a KAF program cycle, they do not just know what they are capable of. They have done it.
01 / Hands-On Programs
Workshops, presentations, and mentorship programs where young creatives gain real skills and find real direction, discovering their gift and learning to build a future with it. Creator Bound is the flagship program within this pillar, guiding each Cohort Member through a complete project cycle from concept to showcase.
02 / Arts Based Events
Community events that use the arts to unite people, build culture, and create a public stage for young creatives. The arts do not just teach. They build belonging.
03 / Community Service
Community service events that show up for people before anything is asked in return. CSRE is the anchor, a back-to-school event that served 100+ families and distributed 200+ bags of supplies in year one. KAF is always the first one there.
The creative arts as intervention and inspiration.
The KAF Foundation works in step with the arts in health field, the research and organizations already proving what the creative arts as intervention and inspiration can do in a community, bringing proof of concept and validity to what this work does for our people.
We serve underserved and underrepresented communities, communities shaped by the conditions around them. When our programs, events, and community service reach these communities, they address that root cause directly: exposing people to a new path, walking them through it, and showcasing the change they've made in themselves. That change is what prepares them to create change in their community and beyond.
The arc is the difference.
Expose. Activate. Showcase. The KAF Foundation runs the full arc, every time.
Rooted in Gainesville.
Built to last.
The KAF Foundation is a Florida-based nonprofit rooted at the intersection of the creative arts and community. A young person's creative gift is not a hobby. It is a vehicle for resilience, economic agency, and purpose.
Kione A. Forrest
Founder & Executive Director
At a summer camp, he made a beat on the spot, brought the kids onto the track, and shot a music video with them. One kid picked up the camera. He edited the video himself. He was proud of what he made. Today, that kid has his own photography company. Kione is his mentor. What that afternoon gave that kid, a new sense of what he was capable of, not just a new skill, is what The KAF Foundation was built to do. Intentionally, with structure, for more young people, every year.
His own turning point came through a paid community arts apprenticeship that gave him the tools and the permission to build a business with his creative gifts. That experience launched him across photography, music, and event production. He knew what it meant to have that structure. He also knew how many people around him didn't.
Kione Forrest is a community organizer, creative multi-hyphenate, and entrepreneur based in Gainesville, FL. A DJ, photographer, videographer, beatmaker, and musician, he built The KAF Foundation at the intersection of everything he carries. He saw the gap between the gifts in his community and the systems that should be walking people through them.
Board of Directors
Three people accountable to the mission and the community it serves.
Executive Director
Kione A. Forrest
Treasurer
Temica Smith
Secretary
Teyoni Smith
Legal Status: Florida nonprofit corporation. 501(c)(3) application in progress. EIN on file with the IRS. Registered as a Social/Civic youth development and arts education organization.
This is a Gainesville organization.
The work is here. The community we serve is here. Take a look at what we're building.
Youth entrepreneurship,
taught through the creative arts.
Creative arts programs for young people in Gainesville, FL and North Central Florida, from single-session classes to our flagship mentorship program. You get embedded in a real production cycle and guided through every decision, every role, every setback, and every win. By the time you're done, you've done it.
Creator Bound
A creative arts and entrepreneurship program for young creatives ages 15 to 25 in Gainesville, FL. One quarter. One real project. The full cycle from concept to showcase to debrief, built around each Cohort Member's specific creative gift.
Creator Bound Scholar
Mentorship and project-based entrepreneurship. Complete a real creative project cycle from concept to public showcase.
Young creatives ages 15 to 25: designers, musicians, photographers, event producers, brand builders
One project cycle per quarter, approximately 12 weeks, orientation through graduation showcase
Year 1: 1-on-1 pilot. Year 2+: cohorts of up to 7 Cohort Members per quarter
Cohort Members participate in The KAF Foundation's Pillar 2 arts events and Pillar 3 community service events as a program requirement. Those events exist and run independent of the cohort.
Creator Bound Apprentice
Paid apprenticeship track for photographers and videographers placed in real commercial work sourced from The KAF Foundation's network.
Photographers and videographers ready to work in professional, paid environments
Real commercial work, not practice assignments
Placed through The KAF Foundation's growing network of local businesses and partners
Builds a paid work history and real client relationships from day one
The gap between knowing your craft and earning from it, closed
Ashton Booker &
Krescent Klothing
The first Creator Bound Scholar. Year 1 pilot of the program model, applied to an active creative entrepreneur in Gainesville.
Cohort Member
Ashton Booker
Brand
Krescent Klothing
Project
Lunar: Krescent Klothing Show
Date
May 2026
Venue
Kairos Events & Catering
Location
Gainesville, FL
Ashton is the founder of Krescent Klothing, a Gainesville-based streetwear brand. He produced Lunar, his first fashion show, before entering Creator Bound, in collaboration with Kairos Events & Catering. Three different brands, multiple photographers, and models from Tallahassee's Images Modeling Troupe all came out, drawing 30+ people, with attendees traveling in from Atlanta, Orlando, and Tallahassee.
Through Creator Bound, Ashton learned event production fundamentals, relationship management with artists, brands, and sponsors, and community marketing with a real content rollout.
“The KAF Foundation played a huge role in helping me put together my first fashion show. Even during moments where I felt like giving up, he kept my head up and reminded me to keep pushing. He went out of his way to connect with people and help me get the tools and opportunities I needed to bring my vision to life.
What stands out most about Kio is his communication and creativity. He doesn’t just help you think bigger, he helps you think differently. He constantly brings new ideas and approaches that can help you reach entirely new communities and audiences. Working with him opened my mind creatively and professionally, and I truly appreciate everything he’s done for me and my brand.”
— Ashton Booker, Krescent Klothing
The Scholar
Ashton is the founder of Krescent Klothing, a Gainesville-based streetwear brand. He produced Lunar, his first fashion show, before entering Creator Bound, in collaboration with Kairos Events & Catering. Three different brands, multiple photographers, and models from Tallahassee's Images Modeling Troupe all came out, drawing 30+ people, with attendees traveling in from Atlanta, Orlando, and Tallahassee.
In His Words
“The KAF Foundation played a huge role in helping me put together my first fashion show. Even during moments where I felt like giving up, he kept my head up and reminded me to keep pushing. He went out of his way to connect with people and help me get the tools and opportunities I needed to bring my vision to life.
What stands out most about Kio is his communication and creativity. He doesn’t just help you think bigger, he helps you think differently. He constantly brings new ideas and approaches that can help you reach entirely new communities and audiences. Working with him opened my mind creatively and professionally, and I truly appreciate everything he’s done for me and my brand.”
— Ashton Booker, Krescent Klothing
Classes & Workshops
Hands-on creative arts classes we bring directly to your organization across Gainesville, FL and North Central Florida, catered to specific groups of youth in all age ranges.
Pop-Up Photography Class
Students learn studio equipment, lighting, composition, and posing, then pair up to shoot in front of a professional backdrop and edit their final photo together before leaving. Every session is themed, and every student walks out with a finished, edited photo.
Covers instruction, equipment, and materials for up to 20 students per session. Works well for after-school programs, summer camps, community centers, youth mentorship programs, and school enrichment days. The KAF Foundation brings the camera, lighting, backdrop, and editing software. You just provide the space and the students.
Frame by Frame Videography Workshop
Students learn storytelling, framing, camera work, and editing, then work in crews of 4 to plan, shoot, and edit their own short film, a revision of a well-known story, told their way. Three 2-hour sessions run on consecutive days covering pre-production, production, and post-production, with a 4th day set aside for a reveal screening in front of family and community.
Covers all 3 workshop sessions, mentorship, camera and audio equipment, editing laptops and software, and the reveal screening. You just provide the space and the students.
- Day 1 · Pre-ProductionStorytelling, framing, camera basics, and crew planning.
- Day 2 · ProductionCrews direct, shoot, and act out their film, mentored on set.
- Day 3 · Post-ProductionOne student per crew edits while the rest of the crew weighs in, guided by a mentor.
- Day 4 · Reveal DayFamilies and community are invited to a screening of all three finished short films.
Know a young creative
who's ready to build?
Creator Bound accepts Cohort Members through application, referral, and word of mouth. All three pathways are valid. The right people come from all directions.
Hire our creatives
for your next event.
Looking for a photographer, videographer, DJ, or web designer in Gainesville, FL? The KAF Foundation offers professional event photography, videography, DJ, and web design services. Every booking is performed by our Creator Bound apprentices and trainees as real, paid, hands-on training, with proceeds also funding our programs.
Book The KAF Foundation for your event.
Whether it's a private event, community gathering, or brand activation, our team can capture it, DJ it, or help produce it, with the same craft and care we bring to every program we run.
Event Photographer in Gainesville, FL
Professional event photography coverage, moment by moment.
Includes approximately 30 professional, edited photos from your event, with the final count depending on the type and length of the event.
Event Videographer in Gainesville, FL
An edited short video, tailored to your event or project.
Coverage and editing style is catered to the specific event or project.
Event DJ in Gainesville, FL
Keep your event's energy going, start to finish.
DJ services for private events, community gatherings, and celebrations.
Web Design in Gainesville, FL
Web design catered to the project we're asked to build.
Scope and pricing are catered to the specific project we're asked to build. Reach out to discuss your project.
Where the program
meets the community.
Arts based events in Gainesville, FL and expanding across North Central Florida, proof of change for the Cohort Members who build them, and for the community they serve.
This Summer
Open to the public. Rooted in Gainesville.
August 8, 2026
CSRE: BREAKTHROUGH
A back-to-school event for Eastside Gainesville families. Free backpacks, live music, and community resources before the school year started. Year 2 at Heartwood Community, serving 100+ families and 300+ bags of supplies distributed, in partnership with the Gainesville Fire Department, Impact GNV, and PACE Center for Girls. Raised $2,117 with help from our community.
Past Events
Every event is proof: people, places, outcomes.
June 17, 2026 · Gainesville, FL
Wine Down Wednesday
A networking fundraiser at P.F. Chang's in Butler Plaza that drew 30 business owners for a night of good food, good company, and good cause. P.F. Chang's donated 10% of food proceeds that night to The KAF Foundation, plus their Wine Wednesday promo: half off bottles of wine and champagne. Te'Sha Jackson donated $250 that night to the 2nd Annual Community School Readiness Event (CSRE: BREAKTHROUGH).
May 2026 · Gainesville, FL
Lunar: Krescent Klothing Show
Ashton Booker's first fashion show, produced independently before entering Creator Bound, in collaboration with Kairos Events & Catering. Three different brands, multiple photographers, and models from Tallahassee's Images Modeling Troupe all came out, drawing 30+ people, with attendees traveling in from Atlanta, Orlando, and Tallahassee. Gainesville's streetwear scene showed up.
August 2025 · Gainesville, FL
CSRE: Community School Readiness Event
Year 1 of CSRE. 100+ families served and 200+ bags of supplies distributed on Gainesville's Eastside before the school year, mostly out of pocket. The City of Gainesville and Gainesville Fire Department showed up. The community showed up for itself.
May 2024 · Westside Park, Gainesville
Praise at the Park
Organized independently by founder Kione Forrest, before The KAF Foundation existed
The successor to Westside Takeover, back at Westside Park. Faith-based, arts-driven, free food, live performers, and multiple churches in attendance. Not a KAF Foundation event, but part of the groundwork that grew into the vision behind it.
April 2024 · Westside Park, Gainesville
Westside Takeover
Organized independently by founder Kione Forrest, before The KAF Foundation existed
The first community event founder Kione Forrest put together. A faith-based, arts-driven gathering at Westside Park with live performers, free food, and multiple churches showing up together. Not a KAF Foundation event, but the community response here helped shape the vision that became KAF Foundation.
Show up for
what's being built.
Sponsor an event. Volunteer. Refer a young creative. Show up.
Support what we're building.
The KAF Foundation gives before it asks. If you are ready to invest in what is being built in Gainesville, here is how to show up.
How to show up.
Donate
Direct support for The KAF Foundation's programs, events, and operations. Every dollar goes to the work, the Cohort Members, the community events, and the cost of showing up before anyone else does.
Donate NowVolunteer
CSRE just wrapped, but we're always building toward the next one. Sign up to be first in line when volunteer spots open for our next community event.
You know someone who should be here.
A young creative ages 15 to 25 with a gift they have not fully deployed yet. Someone who is already designing, making music, shooting, building a brand, producing events, or just feels the pull and hasn't been given the path to build it yet. That is who Creator Bound is for.
Get in touch · Gainesville, FL.
Referring a youth or want to get in contact with us? Reach out using the form below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fast answers about Creator Bound, CSRE, and how to get involved.
Creator Bound is The KAF Foundation's flagship program, a mentorship and project-based entrepreneurship program for young creatives ages 15 to 25 in Gainesville, FL. It has two tracks. The Scholar Program guides each Cohort Member through a complete creative project cycle, built around their specific creative gift. The Apprenticeship Program is a paid track for photographers and videographers, placing them in real commercial work sourced through The KAF Foundation's network. You get embedded in a real production cycle and guided through every decision, every setback, and every win.
The Scholar Program is for young creatives across any discipline: designers, musicians, photographers, event producers, brand builders. Cohort Members complete one full project cycle over approximately 12 weeks, from orientation through a public graduation showcase. The Apprenticeship Program is a paid track specifically for photographers and videographers ready to work in professional environments. Apprentices are placed in real commercial work sourced through The KAF Foundation's network, building a paid work history and real client relationships from day one.
Apply by reaching out through the contact page at kaffoundation.org/contact. Creator Bound also accepts Cohort Members through referral and word of mouth. All three pathways are valid. The right people come from all directions.
No prior experience is required, though having some creative background is preferred. Creator Bound is built for young people who are already working with a creative gift and those who feel the pull but have not fully started yet. If the gift is there and you are ready to build something real with it, Creator Bound is for you.
The Creator Bound Scholar Program runs approximately 12 weeks, one full quarter, from orientation through the graduation showcase. The cycle moves through four phases: Orientation, Foundation, Execution, and Show Day with Debrief.
Creator Bound is for young creatives ages 15 to 25: designers, musicians, photographers, event producers, brand builders, and anyone who carries a creative gift and is ready to build something real with it. If you are already doing something with your gift, or you feel the pull to start, Creator Bound was built for you.
Cohort Members leave with a completed project, a real audience, a documented process, and the foundation for what they build next. We continually follow up with every Cohort Member after the program ends. The relationship keeps going long after the showcase does.
Expose. Activate. Showcase. is The KAF Foundation's core program model. Expose: young creatives see the specific path available to them with their creative gift. Activate: the gift goes to work. Activation means applied monetization: learning to earn from your gift, not just develop it. Showcase: growth becomes public proof, an audience, an event, an outcome. The KAF Foundation walks every Cohort Member through all three, start to finish.
Creator Bound takes each Cohort Member all the way through: from discovering their gift, to activating it and learning to earn from it, to standing in front of a real audience with something real to show. The program is built around each person's specific creative gift, not a curriculum applied to everyone. Activation means monetization, learning to get paid from what you carry, not just growing it.
The KAF Foundation (Kione A. Forrest Foundation) is a Gainesville, Florida nonprofit that uses the creative arts to teach business methods, entrepreneurial thinking, and life skills through hands on programs, arts based events, and community service. The KAF Foundation walks young creatives through the full arc, from discovering their gift, to activating it and learning to earn from it, to standing in front of a real audience with something real to show.
CSRE stands for Community School Readiness Event. It is a free back-to-school event organized by The KAF Foundation for families on Gainesville's Eastside: free backpacks, live music, and community resources before the school year begins. Year 1 in 2025 served 100+ families and distributed 200+ bags of supplies. CSRE: BREAKTHROUGH, Year 2, took place August 8, 2026 at Heartwood Community in Gainesville, FL.
There are four ways to support The KAF Foundation: sponsor a program, make a direct donation, volunteer for CSRE events, or refer a young creative ages 15 to 25 who is ready to build something real. Visit kaffoundation.org/involved to learn more or reach out directly at info@kaffoundation.org.