Reflections on Destination Delridge 2016
It’s been just about two months since I joined the Youngstown Team as a Marketing Intern, and I’ve learned an incredible amount since my first day. Destination Delridge 2016 was an event that took a lot of hard work from many passionate people, and it was truly an amazing experience to witness everything come together. Being new to the Seattle area, every day has been a learning experience, and I have come to realize that the Delridge community is one that is extremely resilient and creative. As an undergraduate student, it has become very clear to me that DNDA is an organization that values youth empowerment, fostering individuals to grow and prosper in an environment that supports them. My experience at Destination Delridge was spent overseeing the program slideshow and taking video footage of the night’s events, but I was also able to be a part of something so much bigger than the event itself. It was inspiring to see so many members of the arts community and champions of the Delridge neighborhood in one place, exhibiting so much generosity and energy towards the future of this bright community.
Everyone in the room was so evidently committed to the overarching goals of DNDA, encouraging new leaders, sharing skills, and mobilizing initiatives that benefit all of the individuals who reside in Delridge. It was quite humbling to witness the altruism of the event’s guests among bursts of creativity and culture, including the night’s performers and the interactive art installation. It was an honor to share the evening with the staff of DNDA and Youngstown, who have been so kind and welcoming to me since I arrived, and to see all of their hard work pay off. To top it off, the DJs, along with everyone participating in the groovy dance party, kept the energy going all the way until the end of the night. It was definitely a milestone I will remember forever, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
–Ana Porta, Youngstown Marketing Intern
There are moments an individual experiences that are sometimes hard to put into words. Moments that speak to your soul and truly reflect your dreams, desires and provide you with a reminder as to why you do what you do. To show you why you live a life dedicated to irradiating injustice and working continuously to imagine and build a better community. Destination Delridge was such a moment.
This event was more than just a fundraiser, with great food, poetry, breakdancing, speeches and visual art; it was a moment made up of many little moments of laughter, reflection, celebration, and re-envisioning the greatness and challenges of the last 20 years. The evening proved that I have now become a part of something more than just DNDA and Youngstown, more than just an organization, but a collective of amazing individuals who work tirelessly to tell new stories, rise above challenges and continuously move to strengthen and empower the Delridge Community.
–Nafasi Ferrell, DNDA Culture Events Series Project Coordinator