Kendrise Colebrooke leading Autism Breakthrough to new heights

Introducing the Knox.Biz 40 under 40 class of 2020

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Kendrise Colebrooke, 33, Executive Director, Autism Breakthrough  

© Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel
Kendrise Colebrooke, Executive Director, Autism Breakthrough, 40 under 40 Class of 2020 nominee, pictured in Knoxville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020.

Kendrise Colebrooke has lived in East Tennessee for 15 years. She has built her career helping adults with disabilities in the workforce and children in transition and foster care programs. Now directing Autism Breakthrough in Knoxville, Colebrooke says she feels like she has finally found her professional footing and her purpose.  

You are granted one wish to change one thing about Knoxville — what do you choose?

Schools. I have a 5-year-old. He’s in private school now, but I wish it was a little more culturally diverse. I would love to have more options for schools and diversity all across the city. Knoxville is a great city. It’s very welcoming to diverse populations. But you don’t always see it. You have to look for it, but it’s there.

There’s an unsung hero in every town — who is it in Knoxville and why?

I would say Bonita Gillespie. She’s the owner of Gillespie Financial & Tax Services.  She’s one of those people that really helps small businesses get started and she takes time to mentor budding entrepreneurs. For so many years she has been that staple in the community that I’m a part of to really help young people or new business people to get started and get a solid footing.

It’s hard to believe, but you’re closing in on the midpoint of your career — what achievement stands out most?

I feel like I’m really just getting started. I feel like I have found my footing professionally. I know what I want. I’m not just going to work to be working. That was it for a few years of my career, but now it’s something so much more meaningful.

That’s the biggest achievement. I found my purpose. I’m working it every single day. I think most people my age are looking for something they can connect to, and I have found my connection.

What mistake did you learn the most from?

I’ve learned the most from mistakes of omission or inaction. Early on in my career I wouldn’t take chances as much as I do now. You kind of regret more not doing things than some of the things you do and fail at. So now I take the approach that I’m just going to try and do it and not have that “what if?” looming because I did not do something.

Ask for forgiveness, not for permission — that’s me right now. That’s come from learning all of the opportunities that I didn’t take early on.

What’s a talent, hobby or adventure you’ve had that no one knows about?

I am a drummer. I play the drums and I’ve played since I was like 4. So that’s a talent I don’t get to use as much as I used to.

Hobbies, I don’t have any at the moment. But if I had time for hobbies, I would probably garden. I get a lot of enjoyment out of that and just the science out of it. We made the rookie mistake of planting cucumbers and watermelon in the same bed. You can’t plant ’em together; they will cross-pollinate. 

What was your first job?

© Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel
Kendrise Colebrooke, Executive Director, Autism Breakthrough, 40 under 40 Class of 2020 nominee, pictured in Knoxville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020.

Libertyland in Memphis, Tennessee. I was a funnel cake maker. I made funnel cakes at a funnel cake stand. I don’t think I even had a title — crew member maybe? I was 14 years old. I think I made $5.25 an hour because that was minimum wage back then.

If I could have any job in the world, I would be ____________________. (Can’t choose the field you’re in)

I wouldn’t do anything. I would critique beachside properties, I don’t know. I’d be a resort tester. Let’s make up something fun and relaxing. I’d be a woman of leisure.

What would most surprise your childhood self about you now?

My childhood self would be surprised at — idk. I don’t think they’d be too surprised. A lot of what I’m doing now I planned in childhood. Probably that I don’t play outside as much as I used to.

Little me wanted to be the first woman in the NBA, but then the WNBA came out in 1999. Middle school Kendrise wanted to go to college and join a sorority and I did that. In high school I just wanted to be a regular person. I know no one wanted to be an average Joe. But that was my dream: to be just happy and content to afford some of the things that I wanted.

Yeah, I feel like that’s me. Regular life. House, husband, two kids. Don’t have the dog to finish the photo but it’s pretty chill.

What trait do you most want in a coworker?

Optimism and a candid spirit.

© Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel
Kendrise Colebrooke, Executive Director, Autism Breakthrough, 40 under 40 Class of 2020 nominee, pictured in Knoxville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020.

What is the most overrated piece of business advice you’ve heard?

Go to school, get your education.

Luckily, there was this government stipend program, because of a shortage of rehabilitation counselors, so I got my master’s for free but I’m still paying for those undergraduate loans.

I haven’t even taken my diploma out of the tube they mailed it to me in. I just don’t think it has gotten me what it was supposed to. University of Tennessee asks me every now and then to give them money and I just tell them to stand by. I’m still paying for my student loans.

Let’s imagine it’s Dec. 31, 2021 — what was your biggest accomplishment during the year?

Opening up a community center for Breakthrough. Yeah, that would be it. We’re working on that, so hopefully we can get it done next year.

How do you want people to describe you when you’re not in the room?

Full of energy. Always with a smile, great person to be around.

This Q&A has been edited for clarity. 

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 40 Under 40: Kendrise Colebrooke leading Autism Breakthrough to new heights