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A yellow and black butterfly resting on a person's hand in sunlight.

Our Story: From Broken Wings to Collective Flight

The Butterfly Project Foundation was born from a mother’s love and a family’s journey through the unimaginable. Our heart belongs to BreAunna Hill, a beautiful soul we lost to suicide on July 21, 2019. BreAunna fought a brave battle with mental illness, a struggle intensified by a severe head trauma she suffered in a car accident in 2016. In our darkest hour, a butterfly with broken wings appeared outside our home. My son placed it in my hand, and I told BreAunna: "Even with broken wings, you can still find a way to fly." In that moment of crisis, the butterfly became our family's symbol of hope and a powerful metaphor for resilience.


Initially, the Butterfly Project Foundation was a way for me to process the immeasurable loss of my daughter. Now, it has grown into something far-reaching—The Butterfly Effect. This principle reminds us that even the smallest act of kindness or creation can generate profound, widespread change in our interconnected world.


Butterfly Project Foundation, Inc. in Action

Our Vision

To create a world where no one has to navigate the darkness of grief or mental health challenges alone, using the transformative power of art to light the path toward healing and connection.

Our Purpose

Butterfly Project Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering mental wellness and emotional resilience through therapeutic and expressive art.


Our mission is built on three core pillars: 

  •  Grief & Bereavement Support: Providing specialized art therapy programs that help individuals process personal loss and find a renewed sense of hope. 
  • Mental Health & Suicide Prevention: Offering creative interventions designed to strengthen emotional health and provide life-saving support for those at risk. 
  • Community Connection: Combating social isolation by creating safe, inclusive spaces where creativity builds lasting bonds. 

The Need

Many individuals facing mental health crises or profound loss find traditional "talk therapy" either inaccessible or insufficient for expressing deep-seated emotions. Furthermore, financial barriers often prevent those in high-risk groups from receiving the support they deserve, leading to increased isolation and despair. 

Who We Serve

We provide a sanctuary for those navigating the complexities of the human experience, including:

  • The Grieving: Individuals seeking a creative outlet for bereavement.
  • At-Risk Individuals: Those struggling with suicidal ideation or severe emotional distress.
  • The Isolated: Seniors, veterans, and youth facing loneliness.
  • The Underserved: Communities with limited access to low-cost mental health resources 

Our Programs

  • Healing Arts Workshops: Free and low-cost sessions focused on specific themes of grief and resilience. 
  • Community Murals & Projects: Collaborative art designed to foster belonging and reduce the stigma of mental health.
  • Expressive Therapy Kits: Providing tools and guidance for those who cannot attend in person. 

Our Goal

Our Goal Art for the Heart. Hope for the Mind. We aim to bridge the gap between artistic expression and clinical wellness, ensuring that every individual—regardless of their financial situation—has the opportunity to heal through creativity.

Who We Are - Butterfly Project Foundation, Inc.

Verneen Hill-Cream - Founder

Nakita Benton Leggette - Vice President

Keisha Renee Dennis - President

Verneen Cream is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of management experience, blending high-level fiscal oversight with a deep-seated commitment to community growth. With a degree in Financial Analysis from Purdue University and a background as a former President of the Fine Art Society of Middle Georgia, she bridges the gap between 

Verneen Cream is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of management experience, blending high-level fiscal oversight with a deep-seated commitment to community growth. With a degree in Financial Analysis from Purdue University and a background as a former President of the Fine Art Society of Middle Georgia, she bridges the gap between strategic organizational stewardship and creative advocacy. Her leadership extends into high-profile diplomacy as the VIP Honorary Liaison for the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame, where she facilitates elite connections and professional messaging.

As a certified CBT Life Coach and Positive Psychology Art Coach, Verneen integrates emotional well-being into every project she touches. Her expertise in youth suicide prevention and safety planning ensures that her community-led initiatives are not only impactful but rooted in essential public health and resilience.

As a professional artist and muralist holding an Oxford Diploma in Abstract Art, Verneen uses the creative process as a transformative tool. Through her 501(c)(3) non-profit, she develops specialized curricula in art therapy for both children and adults. By focusing on stress reduction and healing, she empowers individuals to navigate their own journeys of metamorphosis and hope.

Keisha Renee Dennis - President

Nakita Benton Leggette - Vice President

Keisha Renee Dennis - President

 With a career spanning 14 years as a U.S. Marine Corps Administrative Chief and a decade of community advocacy, Keisha-Renee Dennis blends disciplined leadership with a passion for the arts. As the former CEO of K. Dennis Art Studio, she has mentored over 900 painters and spearheaded local initiatives like the "Bags of Hope" drive for fo

 With a career spanning 14 years as a U.S. Marine Corps Administrative Chief and a decade of community advocacy, Keisha-Renee Dennis blends disciplined leadership with a passion for the arts. As the former CEO of K. Dennis Art Studio, she has mentored over 900 painters and spearheaded local initiatives like the "Bags of Hope" drive for foster youth. Keisha-Renee holds a Master’s in Art and Design from Kennesaw State University and currently serves as a certified K-12 Visual Arts Teacher in Byron, GA, where she inspires over 400 students annually. Beyond the classroom, she serves as the President for the Butterfly Project Foundation, collaborating on large-scale murals and public art installations across Middle Georgia. 

Nakita Benton Leggette - Vice President

Nakita Benton Leggette - Vice President

Nakita Benton Leggette - Vice President

Nakita Benton Leggette brings over eight years of dedicated expertise to the AtlantiCare Gynecology Department. A nationally Certified Specialist in Payment and Reimbursement (CSPR) and an active member of the HFMA, Nakita is recognized for her exceptional problem-solving skills and her ability to navigate complex projects with efficiency

Nakita Benton Leggette brings over eight years of dedicated expertise to the AtlantiCare Gynecology Department. A nationally Certified Specialist in Payment and Reimbursement (CSPR) and an active member of the HFMA, Nakita is recognized for her exceptional problem-solving skills and her ability to navigate complex projects with efficiency and leadership.

Nakita is a passionate advocate for community and inclusion. She serves as a volunteer for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives—representing her department in the International Women’s Day walk—and actively participates in Martin Luther King Jr. Day events. Furthering her commitment to service, she holds the position of Vice President of the Butterfly Project Foundation, where she supports mental health initiatives centered on grief, loss, and separation.

Robert Williams - Treasurer

Robert Williams - Treasurer

Nakita Benton Leggette - Vice President

An experienced IT professional, entrepreneur, and media executive with a career spanning over four decades across technology, finance, entertainment, and nonprofit leadership. Robert served as a Radio Show Host and Producer on WPPM 106.5 FM, WLFR 91.7 FM, and WTTH 96.1 FM in the Greater Philadelphia area, delivering engaging content and p

An experienced IT professional, entrepreneur, and media executive with a career spanning over four decades across technology, finance, entertainment, and nonprofit leadership. Robert served as a Radio Show Host and Producer on WPPM 106.5 FM, WLFR 91.7 FM, and WTTH 96.1 FM in the Greater Philadelphia area, delivering engaging content and production leadership. As Owner of PC Doctor, he provided nearly 18 years of hardware and software consulting services to home and small business clients. Robert has held leadership roles in the music industry as Director of Marketing and Publicity for Critical Records and Co‑Owner of Atlantic City’s first professional recording studio, Platinum Sound Recording Studio. Robert has led community and youth initiatives as Executive Director of SOSAFRIK International, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on education, health awareness, and children’s rights in the U.S. and Africa. He built a strong technical foundation through extensive systems administration and user support roles with organizations such as Players International and Mego Mortgage, supporting thousands of users across multiple states. 

Que Jacobs - Secretary

Robert Williams - Treasurer

Que Jacobs - Secretary

Que Jacobs is a multi-talented educator, photographer, author, entrepreneur, graphic designer, and content creator dedicated to inspiring growth and creativity. With over 20 years in education and a passion for storytelling through writing and visual arts, she uses her gifts to uplift and empower others.

A proud mother of three—her “heartb

Que Jacobs is a multi-talented educator, photographer, author, entrepreneur, graphic designer, and content creator dedicated to inspiring growth and creativity. With over 20 years in education and a passion for storytelling through writing and visual arts, she uses her gifts to uplift and empower others.

A proud mother of three—her “heartbeats”—Que brings both heart and vision to her role as Secretary for the Butterfly Project Foundation, Inc., supporting its mission of transformation and impact.

Copyright © 2026 Butterfly Project Foundation, Inc. 501(c)(3) - All Rights Reserved.


  We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible. 

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