Creative Connections: ShoeBaker, The Collective Builders & Prompt Haus

SHOEBAKER / THE RECIPE / COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

An idea needs somewhere to go. Sometimes that means a workbench. Sometimes it means a classroom, a computer, or a person willing to make the right introduction.

Our work at North Atlanta High School is a reminder of how much can happen when those pieces come together. Through Fresh Kicks Academy, I’m helping students explore sneaker design and move their own ideas toward something they can hold. Inspiredu supported that process with computers for creating digital mockups.

The people connecting those pieces deserve to be seen, too.

April Nova and The Collective Builders

April Nova, founder of The Collective Builders, helped connect the partners and resources that made our North Atlanta High School collaboration possible. Her work brought ShoeBaker and Inspiredu together around a shared opportunity to support students through creativity and access to technology.

Through The Collective Builders, April connects people, organizations, and resources around community needs. She also serves as Head of Partnerships for Prompt Haus. I appreciate the work she put into bringing this opportunity together. That work belongs in the story.

From sneakers to sound and new worlds

That same belief in giving young people room to create is why I’m sharing Prompt Haus High School Labs. Led by founder Gerald “The Sound” Keys, Prompt Haus is launching two hands-on programs at SAE Institute Atlanta for students in grades 9–12: Music Production + AI and Gaming + AI.

Gerald “The Sound” Keys brings years of music production and audio engineering experience to the classroom. He serves as Chief of Production for Ludacris and Chief of Arts and Music for The Ludacris Foundation, and served as lead producer on Netflix’s Karma’s World. At Prompt Haus, he leads the Music Production + AI lab, helping students turn their ideas into original music.

Students will develop original beats, explore AI tools for ideas, and practice recording, editing, and mixing. The goal is a finished track they can share at the student showcase.

Gaming + AI is led by Aaron Neal, Prompt Haus CTO. A game design and creative technology educator and former SAE Institute instructor, Aaron brings practical experience in game audio and entertainment technology to the classroom. Students will create characters and environments, develop gameplay, explore original audio and sound effects, and build a playable prototype.

Both tracks welcome beginners. Each offers a portfolio-ready work sample and a Prompt Haus certificate upon successful completion.

The details for students and families

• Who: High school students in grades 9–12. No experience needed.
• Starts: Saturday, December 5, 2026.
• Time: 10 a.m.–noon.
• Six class Saturdays: December 5 and 12, 2026; January 9, 16 and 23, and February 6, 2027. Scheduled breaks are built into the calendar.
• Student showcase: Saturday, February 13, 2027.
• Location: SAE Institute Atlanta, 18 Andrew Young International Blvd NE, Floor 2, Atlanta, GA 30303-1716.
• Cost: Each program costs $700 per student. Limited scholarships are available for eligible students.

Join the Prompt Haus Labs interest list →

Questions about enrollment or scholarships? Contact April Nova, Head of Partnerships at Prompt Haus, at anova@prompthaus.net.

The North Atlanta story continues

The school’s student-led videography program will be filming a recap of our North Atlanta experience. We also plan to have the computers displayed and information about the program shared throughout the school.

I’m grateful to North Atlanta High School, Inspiredu, and April Nova through The Collective Builders for the roles they’ve played. Keys, April, and I are also looking to connect about future collaborations. There’s more to explore, and I’m looking forward to the conversation.

For now, sharing an opportunity is one way to keep the work moving. If you know a student who hears a beat in their head or imagines a world they want to build, pass this along.

Stay in motion.
Nick “Baker” Reynolds | ShoeBaker

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