And the Arizona Brain Capital Alliance
Present
The Brain Capital Conference
Gathering Leaders and the Community to Create a Brain Positive Economy
with Brain Optimization, Interactive Health Information and the Arts!
Saturday, February 27th, 2027
8:30am – 4:30pm
Pre-Conference: Friday, February 26th, 2027
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Phoenix, AZ
Your Brain Capital is Now Your Biggest Asset for Flourishing!
This is the century of the brain and optimizing our community’s brain power while lowering the risk for dementia and stroke is now the focus of our top West valley leaders, workforce and our growing Arizona cities.
It should be YOUR focus too! This is the era of the brain!
For the past year, the Arizona Brain Capital Alliance and the Lyrics ‘N Leadership team have been attending meetings at the United Nations, World Economic Forum, European Brain Council and other high level gatherings getting the most recent brain health data and strategies to create a brain positive economy in Arizona.
We are ready to bring this current information to our communities in Arizona and particularly, the West Valley.
Dementia and stroke cases are rising drastically in Arizona, but certain dementias, like Alzheimer’s, can be prevented with brain optimization, lifestyle adjustments, diet and exercise, creative thinking and brain health education.
Also, screens and over reliance on AI can affect our brain health so educating our community on the most current research and tools is our focus.
Now is the time to act.
Our citizens and children are counting on us. Come join us to get a creative spark and get ahead of this crisis.
Why is this urgent?
- Arizona has the fastest growth rate for Alzheimer’s Disease in the country affecting more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
- 80% of stroke cases are preventable and 43% of dementia cases are fully preventable if prevention starts earlier in the lifespan
- Data now shows how overuse of screens in childhood and overreliance of artificial intelligence for adults effect brain health and creative thinking for Arizona’s economy
- Multi generational learning about brain health has an higher impact for behavioral change and support
- An estimated 12 billion working days are lost each year to brain health challenges at a cost of $1 trillion per year in lost productivity. (McKinsey Institute)
Why Attend?
- You are your brain. Learn how to optimize it and protect it from brain disease while building spaces for employees, students and children to build brain capital.
- Interactively educating people at all stages of life, (not waiting for a diagnosis in the elderly years), is the best way to increase brain flourishing and lower these negative brain health issues in the era of AI.
- Hear from the thought leaders, in person and virtually, in the field of brain capital, Neurosomatic Creativity™ and brain health.
- In a machine learning workforce, your creative intelligence, brain health and cognitive flexibility is of the utmost importance.
- Learn how to integrate prevention tactics of stroke and dementia at the individual level, during childhood and at the community level while increasing creative agility and cognitive flexibility.
What will you learn at the Brain Capital Conference?
You will learn transformation information that will empower you and those in your care with implementable strategies and a new network of resources on brain capital.
Brain capital, a revolutionary new term, is the combination of brain health and brain skills and is now seen as your biggest asset.
At this conference you will learn how to implement the 7 Pillars of Brain Capital and:
- 7 Pillars of Brain Health and Creativity
- Brain Tool Optimization Techniques
- Brain Health Over the Life Course
- Building Brain Environments for Thriving
- Brain Fundamentals for Flourishing Families
How Is Lyrics ’N Leadership Institute for Brain Health revolutionizing brain health?
Since dementia, stroke and cognitive decline are preventable in most cases, attaching strategies to music, the arts, and literacy makes the learning experience enjoyable, relatable and implementable.
Raising awareness and empowering leaders and community members in unique ways will move our state’s brain capital in a positive direction.
Learn the latest research and strategies to deal with AI, screen use, and the arts in brain health for parents, teachers, caretakers and leaders.
Increasing your creative thinking on a regular basis improves brain health and allows you to maintain a ‘life long learner’ mindset.
Improve your brain health, and your community’s brain capital, while learning transitional skills that apply to your work, life and relationships.
A-List Brain Capital Speakers
Genein Letford, M.Ed
As the 2019 LA Lakers Business Woman and the 2015 CA Charter Teacher of the Year, Genein is a national thought leader and creator of the concept of ‘Prismatic Leadership’, ‘Intercultural Creativity® and NeuroSomatic Creativity®’.
She is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of CAFFE Strategies, which is a consulting, coaching and training company that trains C-Suite executives and employees to create sustainable organizational strategies and brain health strategies, based on neuroscience, while unleashing their innovative thinking for themselves and in their businesses in the age of AI. She co-directs Lyrics ‘N Leadership Institute for Brain Health which teaches brain health and leadership skills through the music and life of famous artists like Prince, Dolly Parton. She co-leads Brainolicious Adventures which facilitates brain health learning experiences for children and their families through poetry books, hands-on activities and the arts.
Her 7 Gems of Intercultural Creativity is a leading framework that addresses AI’s impact on creative thinking and supports organizations and corporations in their cognitive development while developing critical cognitive tools for creative thinking. She holds degrees in psychology and educational development from UCLA and CSUN, is certified in Brain-Centric Design and her curriculum is rooted in neuroscience and cognitive psychology.
As a Brain Health Activist, Genein has spoken at the Virtual Brain Health Center to further brain capital initiatives throughout K-12 and in corporate. She launched the first Brain Capital at the Capitol Leadership Summit in Arizona which brought together the top Arizona thought leaders from various sectors to officially launch Arizona’s Brain Capital Strategy Plan.
With her son, she writes books on brain capital and also co-established the nation’s first Brain Capital Awareness Month in Phoenix, Arizona and the state of Arizona. Genein believes creative thinking thrives best in diverse environments and she is often called ‘America’s Creative Coach’ for her work in reigniting creativity and improving brain capital within our workforce in the era of AI.
Keeley Kaukimoce
Keeley “Lockn’Key” Kaukimoce is the co-director of Lyrics ‘N Leadership Institute and is a renowned professional dancer, singer, actress, choreographer and corporate trainer. She has traveled the world as one of the most sought after dance teachers of her generation and now teaches high level leadership using the arts and movement. She has appeared on ‘Dancing With the Stars’, ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and has been featured in movies and commercials. She is a certified health trainer and passionate brain health advocate.
Dr. Krystal L. Culler
Dr. Krystal L. Culler, is a holistic brain health expert with nearly twenty years of experience working with individuals with brain-related diagnoses, their families, providers, and advocacy organizations. She is a Doctor of Behavioral Health with an educational background that spans the behavioral sciences including lifespan psychology, gerontology, and sociology.
She is the Founder of the Virtual Brain Health Center and a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health with the Global Brain Health Institute, where she was the first scholar from the United States to complete her residency training at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland on dementia prevention and the social determinants of brain health.
She is the author of “A Kids Book About Brain Health” and co-host of a top-ten ranked best brain health podcast, “Let’s Talk Brain Health!”
She has an unwavering commitment to promoting brain health equity to individuals of all ages and the communities she serves across the world. Her mission: Brain care for all.
Jevin Hodge
Jevin D. Hodge is the CEO of Amplify Global Impact Group, a global strategic consulting and public affairs firm helping organizations plan, communicate, and engage for impact. The mission of Amplify is simple yet powerful: to connect problem havers with problem solvers. The firm operates at the intersection of public affairs, strategic communications, impact strategy, and strategic planning, partnering with governments, businesses, and nonprofits to navigate complexity, build influence, and drive measurable change. Jevin has led national and international campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, school districts, and local governments, connecting people, purpose, and policy to move communities forward.
A former member of the Arizona House of Representatives, Jevin has advanced legislation to expand healthcare access, strengthen education, and protect voting rights. He is a recognized thought leader, speaker, and commentator, frequently appearing in local and national media to discuss leadership, business, and public policy.
A proud product of Arizona public schools, Head Start, and The George Washington University, Jevin is the son of Tempe Councilwoman Berdetta Hodge. His work reflects a deep belief: true leadership is measured by the lives you impact.
Dr. Jill Stemm
Dr. Jill Stamm is the Prevention and Brain Science Learning Specialist for Arizona’s Children Association and was the co-founder of New Directions Institute for Early Childhood Brain Development (NDI). She is a professor emeritus at Arizona State University and is a national and international speaker on early brain development and later school achievement.
She is an author of two popular books on early brain development, Boosting Brain Power: 52 Ways to Use What Science Tells Us, designed for busy caregivers, and her popular parent book, Bright from the Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind from Birth to Age 3. Currently, she is a member of the National Advisory Panel of the Learning & the Brain Conference Series and a certified member of Dr. Bruce Perry’s training group for the Neurosequential Model of Caregiving.
She has two adult daughters, Kristin, a neuroscientist, and Jenny, born prematurely with physical and developmental disabilities, but who has flourished with her mother’s understanding of her unique brain functioning.
Aaron Eagles
Aaron Eagles is a creative, involved in the arts, working with diverse artists, audiences, and institutions. Aaron has worked with the S’edav Va’aki Museum, Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum, Arizona Jewish Historical Society, and Phoenix Art Museum. Mr. Eagles was invited to be a part of the delegation representing the Mayor of Phoenix at the Mayor’s Forum in Chengdu, China.
Aaron’s degree is in Fashion, and he was named Stylos Designer of the Year in Phoenix and named Designer of the Year in the Tianjin Fashion Week. Aaron continues his studies of the arts and holds a certificate in Management of Art & Culture from the University of Maryland. He is now finishing an Arts and Heritage Management certificate program through the Università Bocconi, Milan Italy. He serves as a Docent at the Phoenix Art Museum.
Dr. Jane Garcia
Dr. Jane Garcia is a psychologist, educator, US Army veteran, advocate, psychometrist, and founder of Executive Function Reboot LLC, a coaching and education company dedicated to helping individuals strengthen executive functioning skills, improve self-regulation, and create sustainable systems for success. Dr. Jane holds a PhD in psychology from Grand Canyon University, an M.Ed. from National University, M.A. in management from Webster University. With a background in psychology, healthcare, education, leadership, and military service, Dr. Jane brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her work. Her areas of interest include cognitive psychology, neuroscience, human development, executive functioning, ADHD, neurodiversity, learning and memory, and cognitive rehabilitation. She is passionate about translating complex psychological and cognitive science concepts into practical strategies that people can use in their everyday lives. Dr. Jane is committed to education, advocacy, and community service. She volunteers with various veteran organizations, youth mentorship and education organizations. Her work reflects a strong interest in supporting students, women veterans, parents, and families as they navigate life transitions, education, personal and professional development and professional growth.
Shawn “The Brain Capital Kid’ Letford
Shawn published his first book on creativity at three years old and is on the global mission to help the world be more creative with healthy brains. He has keynoted at the United Nations Brain Days events, the Brain Capital at the Capitol Summit and the Minds on the Vineyard Brian Health Summit in Martha’s Vineyard and the Sunder Foundation Music and Brain Health Celebration.
He goes through his daily life giving his parents pure examples of creative thinking and inventive associations. In July 2025, Shawn received a proclamation for World Brain Day in his hometown of Avondale, Arizona. He also helped establish the nation’s first Brain Capital Awareness Month in Phoenix, Arizona and Buckeye Arizona, which is the fastest growing city in the US. He is currently working on passing an Arizona bill with Arizona government to make sure children are protecting their brains with helmets. He has written books on the brain and creativity, such as My Brain My Brain My Beautiful Brain’ and I AM CREATIVE and My Brain’s Symphony: Building Brain Capital in the Era of AI.
He still enjoys sprinklers, but has sparked an interest in solving the Rubik’s cube faster than his dad. He loves being observant and plays his piano and guitar to exercise his mind. He speaks about creativity, curiosity and the brain at national events and has been named an honorary Brain Health Actionist at the Center for BrainHealth in Dallas, Texas by Dr. Sandra Chapman the executive director.
Limited Spots Available!
Sponsorships Available!
Are you looking to sponsor an innovative experience during this brain health revolution? If you would like to sponsor this event, click our sponsorship packet and contact Genein at Genein@LyricsnLeadership.org.
We are a 501(c)(3) and part of your tuition funds brain health education for youth in low wealth areas and those affected by homelessness.
Mission: The mission of the Lyrics ’N Leadership Institute for Brain Health is to equip adults and children from various backgrounds with low-cost, high-quality professional learning in leadership, life skills, and brain health (dementia and stroke preventing) education through the arts and the work of iconic musical artists.
Lyrics ‘N Leadership™ Institute for Brain Health (and its K-12 subsidiary Brainolicious™ Adventures) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization (Tax ID# 33-4017420)