Christopher Henrikson

is the founder, firekeeper and former executive director of Street Poets Inc., a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization that harnesses the healing power of poetry and music to inspire our next generation to write, rap and dream a new world into being for us all.

Originally from Boston, Chris is a graduate of Duke University and the American Film Institute. He worked as an arts journalist in New York City and later as a screenwriter in Hollywood before a three-year volunteer teaching stint in a Los Angeles County juvenile probation camp inspired him to create Street Poets. During his 25 years at the helm of that organization, Chris was honored to serve on the boards of two other exceptional non-profits, the Arts for Healing and Justice Network and Wolf Connection, as board chair.

Today, he mentors and facilitates initiatory homecoming retreats for youth, adults and emerging elders of all backgrounds, while maintaining a bi-coastal healing and consulting practice for individuals and organizations seeking to create change in themselves and the world around them.