Art as a Language
Chocolate Doodles was born from a simple belief: every young person has something powerful to say. We give them the creative tools — art, storytelling, and animation — to say it.
powering Youth Through Creative Expression
We believe that art is more than a hobby — it's a therapeutic tool, a communication channel, and a path to self-discovery. Chocolate Doodles creates safe, nurturing spaces where young people aged 7–17 can explore their inner worlds through visual art, narrative storytelling, and animation.
Chocolate Doodles is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Youth Art Development Program that uses art to foster communication, comprehensive learning, and therapeutic expression. Through visual arts, writing, storytelling, and animation, participants are empowered to creatively express their thoughts, ideas, and experiences. The Basic Drawing and Painting program will start at the beginning, the Writing/Storytelling program being the middle, and the Animation program being the end—that end being a resolution, a thought-out scenario of problem solving or enlightenment.
Children will engage in the learning of each process, creating a real-world interest, question or situation, then finding a solution. Through this process, children will gain a better understanding of themselves and others, being inclusive to each program combined—by simply watching their own stories play back before their eyes. They will learn how to rewrite scenes and recreate outcomes that may make a difference in the final result. As in life, change can be the key to getting to the other side, also accepting that change and learning how the Arts assists with subliminally telling their truth, creatively..
Explore Our ProgramsOur Core Values
Therapeutic Care
Art as healing. We create environments where emotional expression is welcomed, celebrated, and supported.
Creative Freedom
No wrong answers. Every young person's unique perspective is valid and worth exploring.
Community
We grow together. Collaboration, peer support, and shared storytelling build lasting bonds.
Empowerment
We don't just teach art — we build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong creative identity.
How it Started
A journey built one doodle at a time.
It started with the curiosity of a little girl, on a field trip, in a museum filled with paintings—amazed at the sparkles of a marble sculpture by Michelangelo. She stood close, observing every detail. She finally looked up and proudly declared, "I can do that!" That little girl was me. Sonya A. Spears
From that moment on, I doodled on everything I could find—walls, tabletops, notebook paper, tree trunks, and yes, even my homework. Every surface became my canvas. Doodles turned into sketches, sketches into drawings and drawings into paintings. It became the foundation of a lifelong journey.
Having experienced trauma and health challenges throughout her youth, Sonya found in painting a powerful form of expression for that unfulfilled part of herself that paused her to heal and re-learn to love, be loved and believing in the goodness of humanity. What began as the fearless curiosity of a little girl, has grown into a passion for telling stories, telling truth and sharing dreams.
One moment can change one life. One life can change many.
Meet Our Team
Passionate educators, artists, and youth advocates from diverse backgrounds — united by a love for creative expression.
Sonya Spears
Artist
Founder & CEO
Dotti Stallworth
Educator
Board Member
Brittany Bracy Olayele
Educator
Board Member
Angela Candidate
IT Manager
Board Member
Denise Roberts
Secretary
Kenneth Bridges
Accountant
Florence Bracy
Author
Public Relations
Three Ways to Find Your Voice
Be Part of the Story
Whether you're a young person ready to create, a parent looking for a nurturing program, or a supporter who believes in our mission — there's a place for you here.