Cameron Starkes and Serenity Robinson interview Rashid Williams and discuss the Blue Zones Project.

• Discussion how they work with places like grocery stores, schools, and worksites to make healthy choices easier, specifically examples at grocery stores and schools

  • Focusing on policies around walkability and traffic calming

  • Engaging the community through organizations

  • Why the Durkeeville area was targeted, mentioning the zip codes 32208, 32209, 32210, 32244

  • Rashid's personal connection to the Durkeeville neighborhood

    Discussing the Blueprint Youth for Change Summit on March 16th to amplify youth voices

• • 7:37 - 8:33 Activities planned for the summit like jiu-jitsu, boxing, video gaming, art therapy

  • 8:33 - 9:39 Organizations involved like Performance Academy, JAMS, Hearts for Minds, Hanley Foundation

  • 9:39 - 10:23 Details on the gardening activity led by Miss Sylvia

  • 10:23 - 11:49 Importance of Durkeeville's rich history and Black community before the Civil Rights movement

  • 11:49 - 12:58 Desire to preserve Durkeeville while allowing growth, highlighting strengths, empowering residents

  • 13:02 - 14:26 Rashid's background and motivation to empower youth

  • Being the first Blue Zones city prioritizing youth, partnering with youth organizations

Dr. Marvin Dawkins, a sociologist, and Dr. Marvin Dawkins, a psychologist are twins who grew up in the projects of Durkeeville. A family of 9 lived together in a small home, and all of them recieved advance degrees! They discuss the influence the projects had on the family.

Childhood Memories in Durkeeville

- Dr. Marvin Dawkins reminisces about growing up in Durkeeville, emphasizing the sense of safety, routine, and community.

- Memories include feeling safe, predictable routines, vibrant community life, and the environment's pleasantness.

- The discussion explores the significance of a stable and predictable environment for childhood development.

Contextualizing Childhood Experiences

- Dr. Marva Dawkins provides historical context, discussing public housing in America and the creation of Durkeeville.

- Details the government's involvement in housing for the poor, the experimental nature of public housing projects, and the unique features of Durkeeville.

- Explores the impact of community design on residents' sense of safety and pride, highlighting the significance of well-kept surroundings.

Growing Up in the Projects

- Dr. Marvin Dawkins shares memories of growing up in the Durkeeville public housing project, focusing on the transition to a new section of the project.

- Describes the sense of community pride, interactions between neighbors, and efforts to beautify the surroundings.

- Reflects on experiences of segregation, routine obedience to parents, and childhood adventures, illustrating the nuances of life in the project.

Childhood experience of discrimination and segregation:

- Recounting a childhood incident where the speaker and his friends faced discrimination in a burger restaurant due to racial segregation.

- First encounter with the concept of discrimination and segregation in society.

- Reflecting on the impact of racial segregation on daily life and experiences.

Influence of family and community on academic success:

- Emphasis on the importance of education and religion within the speaker's family.

- Family's aspirations for academic achievement and success despite societal limitations.

- How upbringing in a supportive community fostered educational accomplishments for the speaker and siblings.

Impact of housing project rules on educational opportunities:

- The role of strict rules enforced by the housing project management in shaping educational paths.

- How limitations on income and academic achievements influenced residency in the housing project.

- Personal experiences highlighting the intersection of housing, education, and socioeconomic status.

Childhood in the Projects

- Growing up with strict rules and limited freedom in the projects.

- Inspiring stories of academic achievement from siblings.

- The importance of discipline and setting academic goals.

Community Influence on Education

- Reflections on the community's impact on education.

- Differentiating between villages within the community.

- The role of teachers, especially those from the same community, in molding individuals.

Legacy of Greatness

- Acknowledgment of influential figures within the community.

- Highlighting local leaders and their significant contributions.

- Emphasizing the importance of passing down knowledge and heritage to future generations.

Melody Evans and Cameron Starkes interview Amaya about her involvement with the Youth Action Series and why they are doing a mural in Durkeeville.

Maya explains what the Youth Action Series is - a group focused on community revitalization in the 32209 zip code through activities like trash pickups, lawn mowing, landscaping, and recently surveying on clean air in partnership with UF.

Maya has been part of the Youth Action Series since its inception, first as the SOYP Youth Council leader which helped bring the group together.

Maya didn't envision this level of community involvement as a child, but as she got older, she wanted to make more of a difference, which led her to join SOYP and then the other organizations.