Meet Carol Prud’homme Davis

 

We were lucky to catch up with Carol Prud’homme Davis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carol, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.

I was in fifth grade when I was bussed for the integration of our schools. I didn’t learn much reading and writing during integration, but I did learn a vast amount about humanity. I remember very clearly, when classmates stole and buried brass band instruments, When I asked them, why they stole the instruments, they immediately asked me: “Why should you have nice things, and I have nothing, just because of what family I was born in. I could not answer, I have thought about that my whole life. And only know it is not right, we ARE all created equal.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I have a non-profit organization: Inside Change from Within and a for profit business: Inside Change Inc. The Covid pandemic impacted the vision and actions dramatically for both. My non-profit was performance based and arts education touching as many at risked populations as possible. As a result of the pandemic, I found that instead of reaching out to the NYC 5 boroughs I was staying close to home: “The Lower East Side”. With the Black Lives Matters marching down the Bowery; I started focusing on the Bowery: unhoused, immigrants, residents and small business. We started representing the unhoused artists and resident activist artists, projecting on walls our art and working with food equity projects. My for-profit business, totally focused on keeping the worldwide dance legacy alive. I had drawn many dancers and companies in 2010, I went back to drawing dance but now to champion those keeping dance alive.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I think it is very important to be able to see what your assets at that moment are and what can be created with those assets and allow yourself to do want you have a desire to do.

1. I had many collaborators that I had worked with for years and brainstormed and brought them together to create projects that impact our at-risk community together.
2. I started to draw and post dancers who were dancing in the moment.
3. I started to use my networking skills to work in my neighborhood.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My parents always listened to my views, which gave me confidence in myself and comfort in speaking out.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Head shot: Anna London

Lynn Simonson photo: Kian Ross

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