Kaleidoscope

A Career and Life Transformation Experience for QTBIPOC

Next Cohort Emerging June 2026

What is Kaleidoscope?

Kaleidoscope is our signature offering within Chrysalis, a collaborative project by Brave Space Leadership and Trans*Formational Change for queer and trans BIPOC who find themselves at a personal or professional crossroads. These kinds of crossroads can take many forms, such as:

  • You are navigating difficult dynamics in your workplace and don’t know how you want to address them

  • You enjoy your current job yet feel that your professional growth has stalled

  • You are considering a change in job or even profession, and need more clarity about what options would work for you or what strategies might help you get there

  • You have experienced a major personal shift like a move to a new city, a relationship change, or a new stage of life … and want to redefine your identity on your own terms

  • You feel a growing "mismatch" between the person you are becoming and your current social circles or daily habits, and you're seeking the courage to align your life with your deepest values

  • You are uncovering new layers of your queer, trans, or racial identity and are navigating the delicate process of integrating these truths into your family or community dynamics

Whatever kind of crossroads you’re facing, Kaleidoscope can help you make powerful decisions about how to proceed within a supportive learning and professional community of no more than eight QTBIPOC peers.

Why did we create Kaleidoscope?

Brian Arao, Ed.D. (he/him/his)

Brave Space Leadership

queer | cis | biracial/hapa

LinkedIn

T.J. Jourian, Ph.D. (he/him/his)

Trans*Formational Change

queer | trans | Middle Eastern

LinkedIn

We were inspired to create Kaleidoscope because of the ways we struggled to navigate our own crossroads both as human beings and as professionals in higher education. As QTBIPOC, these challenges were compounded by our often traumatic experiences of racism, heterosexism, and/or cissexism. These systems of oppression not only imposed external barriers to personal and career progress; they also amplified our feelings of self-doubt and constrained our imagination about what options might be both fulfilling and available to us. We are grateful to the peers, mentors, and coaches who reminded us we are part of a long lineage of QTBIPOC communities with proud traditions of using creativity, innovation, resilience, and brilliance to thrive under adverse conditions. Now, we want to help other QTBIPOC access and use these same gifts to envision and successfully pursue the next phases of their lives in ways that align to their values and bring them deep satisfaction and joy.

What will Kaleidoscope participants gain?

  • Cultivate resources to support powerful, values-aligned decision-making

    • Clarify values

    • Develop a personal purpose statement

    • Create a compelling and inspiring vision for the future

  • Develop clarity about the desired change(s) they wish to experience in their personal and professional lives

  • Develop clear, actionable strategies for making their desired change(s)

    • Understand the barriers to pursuing their desired path

    • Map resources to support successful transition

  • Create new supportive relationships with other program participants

What does Kaleidoscope include?

Over the course of the three month Kaleidoscope curriculum, you’ll experience:

  • Rich asynchronous content and activities to stimulate critical reflection and creative thinking about your personal and/or professional path and goals

  • Six one-one-one coaching sessions with Brian or T.J. to more deeply explore how the program content and activities apply specifically to your experience

  • Six virtual group sessions with all Chrysalis participants to build collective knowledge and develop supportive relationships

What is the investment for Kaleidoscope?

Let’s be real: professional coaching is a significant investment of time, energy, and resources. We also know that for many QTBIPOC, standard industry rates can feel like a barrier before the conversation even begins.

At Chrysalis, we don’t want a price tag to prevent you from finding the clarity and learning community you deserve. We utilize a sliding scale to accommodate different financial realities, including those receiving professional development support from their employers and those navigating personal transitions on their own. We’ll discuss the specifics of the investment during our discovery call to ensure the path forward feels sustainable and supportive for you.

Testimonials

  • Kaleidoscope was an incredible experience. It allowed me to explore the intersections of my personal and professional identities and from the beginning the coaches created space for me to openly share my challenges and aspirations. Throughout the session, I felt genuinely heard and understood, as the coaches offered insightful feedback and strategic guidance tailored to my unique situation. They helped me identify my strengths and areas for growth, providing practical tools and techniques that I could immediately apply in my professional life.

    Gabe, Kaleidoscope 2025 participant

  • Kaleidoscope provided me with a supportive community where I felt affirmed and able to reflect on my career and educational journeys through in connection with my lived experience as a queer first generation xicana. T.J. and Brian created a thoughtful and intentional space that helped me reconnect with my values and make meaningful choices about my life and career path.

    Tracy, Kaleidoscope 2025 participant

Ready to spread your wings and fly with us?

If you’re ready to sign up for the June 2026 offering of Kaleidoscope, please fill out our application form (link forthcoming)!

If you have more questions and want to learn more before making a decision, please sign up for a 30-minute discovery session with Brian or T.J. for a confidential 15-minute conversation to review your goals and determine if Kaleidoscope is the right fit.

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