We bring out the excellence in every member to become catalyst for change to serve. While teaching a class under the Music Mural and arts project called History Through Hip Hop this summer I was exposed to young and transitional age adults who were dealing with more circumstances outside of the class that prevented them from attending class regurarly. I took one into my house while he looked for shelters as he was currently homeless and going through a difficult time in his life. This young adult introduced me to other artists just like themselves who had personally experienced the school-prison pipeline, spent time in juvenile hall detention centers, dropped out of high school, been initiated into gangs, struggled with alcohol and drug abuse and been products of broken homes or sexual abuse. In spite of everything they had been through they saw music as an outlet and a way to change their reality. As members of society who had fallen between the cracks of our broken school district or corrupt government. I immediately found myself called to do more than teach. I wanted to dedicate my life to providing resources and opportunities for the talented youth and transitional age adults to redeem themselves and empower members of their community. I saw a redeemed group of artists much like myself who wanted to use their gift to make a difference. I transformed my house into a studio where they could come record music. But I found what they truly craved was sanctuary, guidance and love. I realized they had been looking for a space space their whole lives and although I was able to provide it, still I wanted to do more. I wanted to give them the opportunity to turn their dreams jobs into careers. It wasn't until my niece came to visit me and see the transformed studio and meet students from my class did they awake the passion of arts inside of her. She didn't want to put down the microphone. This is the same girl who had never shown interest in anything her mother had introduced her to. She wanted to make music all day. She cried when she had to leave. I had to pull her off the drums and carry her to the car. But I saw passion in her that I had never seen before. I personally saw the impact art could have immediately on impressionable minds, especially youth of color. It was then that I knew I wanted to create a kingdom that she could inherit. I knew I wanted to welcome her into a family where she felt belonging and acceptance. I started the non-profit days later and named it Vasileia-which is greek for Royalty. I want to expose my community and the rest of the world to the power of art-the personal transformational it can provide and a positive message that can uplift our souls. Forever after, changing lives one mic at a time.
