Next Generation Collective has teamed with The Kids Mental Health Foundation on an initiative to help young people in entertainment, music and the creator economy navigate growing up in the public eye. The initiative was launched Tuesday at Hollywood & Mind’s inaugural summit at iHeartMedia in New York City.
Designed for young people, families and the professionals who support them, Next Generation Collective brings together clinical mental health expertise, entertainment industry leadership and lived experience to provide practical, expert-informed guidance on mental health, boundaries, pressure and the realities of working on set, performing, creating content and building a public profile at a young age. It will also serve as an additional resource for studios, productions, agencies, managers and platforms supporting young talent.
Founded by Lilah Kojoori, a longtime children’s entertainment communications executive, the Collective draws on her more than 20 years working with young performers and their families to provide additional guidance, trusted resources and a stronger community of support.
Next Generation Collective’s Founding Advisory Board includes talent and family members who bring firsthand experience of life in the public eye: Angel Carter Conrad (children’s mental health advocate), Logan Henderson (actor and singer), Isabela Merced (actress and singer), Kel Mitchell (actor), Soleil Moon Frye (actress and filmmaker), Carmela Wallace (mother of Juice WRLD and founder of Live Free 999), Hudson Yang (actor) Breanna Yde (actress and singer) and Artists for Artists. Additional members will be announced.
“Young people in entertainment often grow up in the public eye, and they deserve real support along the way,” said Kojoori. “With The Kids Mental Health Foundation’s clinical expertise, Hollywood & Mind’s reach across the industry and an advisory board that has lived this life firsthand, our hope is to give young talent and their families guidance and resources to navigate the industry while prioritizing their wellbeing.”
The Kids Mental Health Foundation will provide clinical guidance and insights to align the Collective’s work with evidence-informed mental health educational resources.
“We are excited that the Collective is beginning their work by first learning from the community they want to support” notes Dr Ariana Hoet, Executive Clinical Director of The Kids Mental Health Foundation and a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “There are so many directions this important work can take shape and it’s wonderful that it’s being launched in such a thoughtful way.”
Hollywood & Mind, founded by veteran entertainment journalist Cathy Applefeld Olson, will connect the Collective with talent, executives, advocates and wellness professionals, partner on programming and uplift the work of the Collective at its events.
“Supporting the wellbeing of those who work in entertainment is at the heart of Hollywood & Mind’s mission. We’re thrilled to be a founding partner of Next Generation Collective, where we can provide young people and their support teams with the resources and community they need to thrive both personally and professionally,” said Cathy Applefeld Olson, founder and CEO of Hollywood & Mind.
Beginning in 2027, Next Generation Collective will work with its Founding Advisory Board and partners to develop expert-informed resources, education and support for young people, their families and the studios, productions, agencies, managers and platforms that shape their professional environments.
Additional programming and partnership opportunities will be announced in the coming months.
