Wildkit Student-Athlete Guest Speaker Series

Jahmal Cole is the founder and CEO of My Block My Hood My City and a dedicated advocate for social justice—committed to building a more interconnected Chicago through service and education.

Jahmal has been widely recognized for his leadership and impact. He holds two honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees: one from Adler University, recognizing his philanthropic achievements, and another from DePaul University, honoring his lifelong dedication to serving Chicago’s youth and communities.

Most recently, in one of his final acts in office, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. awarded Jahmal the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award—a prestigious honor celebrating his steadfast commitment to empowering young people and strengthening communities across Chicago.

A proud Evanston native, Chief Schenita Stewart made history in 2022 when she was sworn in as the first female Chief of Police for the Evanston Police Department. A graduate of Evanston Township High School, she is also a proud Wildkit alum and former student-athlete whose commitment to service, leadership, and community has been shaped by her deep roots in Evanston. After earning a bachelor's degree in Criminology from Illinois State University and a master's degree in Criminal Justice from Chicago State University, Stewart built a distinguished law enforcement career spanning more than two decades, rising through the ranks in Lincolnwood, East Dundee, and ultimately returning home to lead the department in the community that helped shape her. Known for her authentic leadership style, dedication to mentorship, and passion for community engagement, Chief Stewart believes that strong relationships and genuine connections are the foundation of effective policing. Her commitment to developing future leaders and strengthening trust between law enforcement and the community continues to make a lasting impact both in Evanston and throughout the profession.

Annette Corbin is a Wellness Performance Coach for Athletes, an adjunct professor at Northwestern University, and a former professional soccer player. As the founder of The Athlete Practice, she supports college athletes and teams in managing the mental and physical stress of what it means to play sports in college. Through her Player Coach Academy, Annette blends the worlds of yoga philosophy and personal development, mentoring athletes on how to elevate their peace, face their fears, and play free.

Annette is also a proud member of the Evanston Township High School (ETHS) Hall of Fame for soccer. She went on to become an All-American at Purdue University, the first in program history, before playing professionally in Sweden.

At Northwestern, Annette co-teaches “Designing Your Life” as well as her personally developed “Yoga Foundations" course, helping students cultivate intentional, purpose-driven lives.

Austin Brown is a proud ETHS Alum and one of the most influential agents in the NBA. A graduate of DePauw University and Washington & Lee University School of Law, Brown currently serves as Co-Head of Basketball at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), representing some of the league’s biggest stars. Before entering the sports world, he began his career on Wall Street with JPMorgan, gaining valuable business experience that now fuels his success in athlete management and contract negotiations. Known for his integrity, relationship-driven approach, and deep commitment to empowering players beyond the court, Brown continues to inspire the next generation of leaders with his journey from ETHS to the highest levels of professional sports.

Juliet Barnes is the Director of Medical for Chicago Stars FC, bringing more than 20 years of experience in sports medicine across collegiate, professional, and national team environments. A Chicago native, Barnes is a certified athletic trainer and performance enhancement specialist who has worked with organizations including Northwestern University Athletics, the Chicago Sky, and U.S. Soccer.

Most recently, Barnes served as Head Athletic Trainer for the United States Women’s National Team, contributing to the team’s gold medal performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her career highlights also include supporting Northwestern University Women’s Lacrosse through three national championships and helping the United States Men’s Para 7-a-side National Team earn a bronze medal at the 2019 Parapan American Games.