Empowering Through Art: Brent Billingsley and the Reds Community Fund’s Community Makeover Project

Brent Billingsley, an artist and a powerful advocate for disenfranchised youth, was commissioned by the Reds Community Fund as part of the 2024 Community Makeover Project to create stunning wall art with the Xavier Jesuit Academy community. In addition to being an accomplished artist, Mr. Billingsley is a Behavioral Health Specialist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center/Psychiatry. His passion for empowering young people extends to his work as an Independent Contracting Therapeutic Mentor and co-founder of two nonprofits focused on therapeutic artistic engagement and the performance arts.

For this project, Mr. Billingsley worked alongside talented youth, ages 14-16, to create artwork that reflects their dreams and aspirations. From images of scientists and soccer players to astronauts and CEOs, each piece captures the boundless potential of these students. The school's walls are now also adorned with portraits of inspiring figures like Pope Francis, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and Saint Francis Xavier, as well as those in the process of sainthood: Pierre Toussaint, Thea Bowman, Augustus Tolton, Mother Henriette Delille, Julia Greeley, and Mother Mary Lange.

Mr. Billingsley’s collaborative process is as empowering as the final artwork itself. He begins by outlining his drawings, allowing the young artists to step in and paint before adding his finishing touches. This approach teaches valuable artistic techniques and fosters a sense of ownership and pride in their work. His message to the students of XJA, "Be whoever you want to be—nobody else gets to tell you who you are," continues to inspire our community, encouraging students to dream big and lead with confidence.

Thank you, Mr. Billingsley, for empowering our young men through creativity!