The Space

Raised in Maryland since the age of one, for over 12 years, I have organized and hosted events throughout the DMV and taught for over a half-dozen nonprofit organizations and museums in the culinary arts, mixed media art, and African-American history through quilting. In 2018, I started a nonprofit community art, tech, and wellness center (The Space Free Art For All, Inc [FreeArtForAll.org]) in Greenbelt, MD, where I was named Outstanding Citizen of 2021! This grant will make it possible for me actually to be able to live close to The SPACE. Since 2018, I have managed day-to-day operations as Executive Director, led the board of directors as President, and with one volunteer, maintaining the shop, completing duties as a Shop Assistant. Even through the pandemic, we stayed open to give the community safe space, providing art supplies and time to get out of the house, which has benefited many of the guests' mental wellness. So far, I have submitted four out of eleven grants that I am working on to get funding for our organization. Until we hear back from the many foundations, I will continue to volunteer and be unable to get to work as one of our grants runs out at the end of this month. Without me being here, The SPACE nor our wifi lounge, Third Space Lounge, will be able to be open. Currently, we have over 150 guests per week that rely on our services.