Meet Cheyenne Cobb | Executive Director and Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cheyenne Cobb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cheyenne, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The success of Jenni’s Flower stems from our roots. Jenni’s Flower wouldn’t exist without the village of people around and within the organization that keep it alive. From our integral board members, such as Paul Bergman, Pamela Marcheski, Debby Ehlrich and Rob Gira, to my trusted business advisors and partners, like Joey Alleyne of AlleyneConnectU, Megan Hobza, and Taylor Dudley, to our incredible donors, to my siblings, Brandon, Sierra and Savannah, all the way to the seeds of the organization (all 50 of them) who have been supported in one way or another by our programs or events… none of this is possible without them. Our brand and our vision is a direct reflection of their light, their perseverance, their belief in the purpose, and their resilience, all which pour into my ability to keep going and keep building.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am most proud of my resilience in continuing to pursue Jenni’s Flower and our programs even when at times it felt like it was all over. Starting and continuing a non-profit is not easy by any means, in fact, I would argue it is one of the most challenging things I have ever done in my life. Founding this organization has taught me so much about myself, my purpose, my strengths and my weaknesses in a way that nothing else has. I had to lean on my community, my support system and myself in the most vulnerable ways that at times felt uncomfortable, but ultimately allowed me to continue building and get to the next phase in my journey and the organization’s mission. If there is one thing I want the world to know about Jenni’s Flower and our story, is that it is a story of purpose. This vision was built on the experiences I myself have gone through as a transition-age foster youth, and is dedicated to serving other youth and communities who value the true meaning of community and collaboration.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my friend was visiting from out of town, the first spot I would take them to is the Jenni’s Flower office, of course, in Downtown Los Angeles. Located in South Park, I would give them a tour of our office in AlleyneConnectU, and show them the incredible boardrooms and conference rooms where we get to host our seeds for workshops, giveaways and meetings. In South Park, I would suggest going for dinner at Pine and Crane DTLA, for some of the best Taiwanese food I have had so far in LA.

Throughout the week I would be sure to take them to some of my favorite coffee spots: DAM Good Coffee, South LA Cafe, Hilltop Coffee and Sip and Sonder. These are my safe places to lock in and get work done, and the coffee beans at each of these spots in unmatched.

I would then take them on some of my favorite excursions in LA, such as rock climbing at Hangar 18 in Hawthorne or Verdigo Boulders in Burbank, a picnic and outdoor painting at Kenneth Hahn, roller skating down Santa Monica, a visit to Black Market Flea, Top Golf in El Segundo, and bowling at Shatto 39 Lanes in Koreatown.

For food, we would definitely hit up all my favorite food spots: of course for tacos we’re gonna go to Sonoratown in Mid-City, Leo’s Taco Truck in Mid-City, Angel’s TJ Tacos in North Hollywood or Birria Los Socios in East LA. For Thai Food, Sri Siam Cafe in Valley Glen and we will be ordering papaya salad, spicy basil beef, and the chicken skewers. For the best Dominican food that can be found in LA, we are for sure going to El Bacano in North Hollywood to get Mangu and Machi’s Chicken, probably my favorite comfort food of all time. And for dessert, we are going to go to Papillon Bakery in the Valley for Nutella Ponchiks or Harriet’s Cheesecakes in Inglewood for the cookies and cream cheesecake.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I first had the idea for Jenni’s Flower, I didn’t know where to start. I didn’t know the first thing about how to file the paperwork for a non-profit, the guidelines, and what it truly even entailed. I was 21 at the time and I had just graduated from UCLA during the pandemic and I was coming off years of neglecting my mental, physical and emotional health. But through it all, there was this consistent passion and fire pushing me towards this idea of creating an organization in my mother’s legacy that could support and uplift other transition age youth who have been impacted by the foster care system. This shout-out is dedicated to all of the individuals, friends, family members, mentors, and organizations who have poured so much into me and into this mission.

So, I started by going back in the past, remembering and connecting with mentors and supporters that were pivotal in my journey from high school to UCLA. That’s where the story really begins, with Paul Bergman, our current Board Treasurer, listening to me and my grand ideas and deciding right then and there that he was going to help alleviate the barriers for me and help me make Jenni’s Flower a reality. Paul was the catalyst for the non-profit really coming off the ground, as he helped with all of the filing, government documents, and teaching me what it would entail for me to be an Executive Director and the guidelines that came with it. From there, our board started to grow, with members Pamela Marcheksi and Debby Ehlrich joining, two women who have been quintessential to my growth as a business owner and as a woman, constantly providing guidance, intentional support and mindful engagement. Then Rob Gira joined, another mentor of mine from high school who supported me through a scholarship from AVID, believing wholeheartedly in the mission and vision of Jenni’s Flower.

As we started to get our roots planted on the ground, the support just kept growing from there. DAM GOOD COFFEE, the first coffee shop to let us host the first of many Foster Youth Flea Markets at their space. Pam and Alex, of DreamCatcher Foundation Inc, constantly engaging, uplifting and collaborating with us from day one. OneSimpleWish, and the incredible team of women who have allowed us to give financial support to our seeds and share our vision to provide joy and holistic health opportunities to foster youth because it is a necessity, not a luxury. The Change Reaction, one of the most pivotal foundations in our journey, who have believed in our work and the dedication without hesitation. Foster Love, an organization that knows what it means to build from nothing, for always encouraging and providing guidance, financial support, and collaboration. AlleyneConnectU, a truly monumental partner in our journey, provided us with ample opportunities and resources to allow us to build a solid foundation and continue to scale our efforts through a brick and mortar office space, workshop venues, and business partners that have changed our trajectory as a small non-profit. Without these organizations, we truly wouldn’t be where we are today.

To my family and friends, who have believed in me from the start, I thank you for all that you have done to continue to make sure I was supported, loved and encouraged during this process. My siblings, Savannah, Brandon and Savannah, who know wholeheartedly the true light that our Mom Jenni was to this earth, I thank you for being my rock, my safety, and my motivation. Without you three, I don’t think I would be here today doing what I am doing.

To the youth who have been affected, impacted or supported by Jenni’s Flower: this is for you. Without you all, and the constant dedication you have shown to yourselves, your healing, and your community, this organization wouldn’t be what it is. Being able to watch each and every one of you grow, thrive and bloom into the incredible people you are has been one of the greatest honors and sources of joy in my life. The community that has been built over the past two years wouldn’t exist without you and your tenacity, resilience and love. I am constantly inspired all of you.

And lastly, to my Mom Jenni. You deserve all the recognition and credit Momma. Your compassion and gentleness is something I hope to master, so I can always be emblematic of you and your legacy. Remembering you and your essence keeps me going, your memory keeps me motivated and your soul keeps me grounded. I know you are proud, I know you are at peace, and I hope you know your name will never die.

I am forever humbled and grateful to each and every person who has been a part of this rollercoaster. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Website: jennisflower.org

Instagram: JennisFlowerOrg

Image Credits
Enid Photography Cheyenne Cobb