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.

Tabitha Sylvester interviews Carlotta Williams about her involvement with Durkeeville.

• Carlotta explains the origin of her business name, "Kama Kina," derived from Swahili and an African warrior queen.

• She shares her diverse background in writing, journalism, public relations, and grant writing.

• Carlotta discusses her involvement in interpreting government processes for the community. Involvement in HIV/AIDS Advocacy

• Carlotta recounts her journey into HIV/AIDS advocacy work and her long-standing commitment to a nonprofit in the field.

• She highlights her role in grant writing and community interpretation about HIV/AIDS initiatives.

• Carlotta reflects on the evolution of her work and its impact on the community over 23 years.

• Initiating Durkeeville Renovation

• Carlotta shares her personal connection to Durkeeville and her determination to improve the community.

• She outlines her approach to gathering resources, setting up partnerships, and formulating social service plans.

• Carlotta emphasizes resident involvement in decision-making and the importance of effective social service providers.

• Overcoming Challenges

• Carlotta discusses overcoming challenges in her work, particularly navigating conflicts over contracts and directorship.

• She emphasizes her focus on delivering quality outcomes despite organizational hurdles.

• Carlotta highlights the success of involving residents in design decisions, enhancing project satisfaction.

• Community Engagement

• Carlotta encourages community involvement through Community Development Corporations and alliances.

• She reflects on the inclusive nature of projects like Hope 6, which need collaboration across sectors.

• Carlotta discusses the challenges of keeping community vision amidst private sector interests in housing projects.

• Retirement and Legacy

• Carlotta contemplates retirement and her desire to write books while still actively contributing to her community.

• She reflects on her accomplishments, touching many lives through her nonprofit work.

• Carlotta acknowledges the impact of her work on her personal life, recognizing the sacrifices made in pursuit of her mission.

• Discussion on homework and school life

• Sharing experiences with homework and school routines,

• Different approaches to completing homework, including doing it during school hours or at home,

• Dynamics of helping classmates with homework.

• Reflections on school life and dancing

• Memories of school life and being known as a studious student,

• Challenges and experiences with dancing during school years,

• Comparison to a movie plot involving a teacher who discovers a student's dancing talent.

• Passion for French language and its practical use

• Interest in learning French and experiences in French classes,

• Use of French language skills in journalism, particularly when covering events involving French-speaking individuals,

• Reflections on the significance of French language ability in various contexts.

Tabitha Sylvester discusses Durkeeville history with Dr. Marva Dawkins.

Dr. Dawkins reflects on childhood memories and the historical context of black life in Durkeeville. She discusses the challenges faced by black families in Jacksonville during the 1920s and 30s.

Dr. Dawkins describes the federal government's involvement in housing projects like Durkeeville during the Great Depression.

• Reflects on childhood memories and the historical context of black life in Durkeeville.

• Discusses the challenges faced by black families in Jacksonville during the 1920s and 30s.

• Describes the federal government's involvement in housing projects like Durkeeville during the Great Depression.

Teddy Williams talks with Serenity Robinson about his involvement in the Youth Action Series and the State of the Young People.

• Teddy's involvement with the Youth Action Series
• Community involvement in Durkeeville
• Enjoyment and benefits of community involvement
• Achievements of the Youth Action Series in 2023

Unified Community Investors (UCI)' s Mission:

• UCI focuses on providing quality affordable housing and essential services like financial literacy and mental health support.

• UCI collaborates with stakeholders and nonprofit organizations to enhance the impact of UCI's initiatives.

• The Youth Action Series engages young people in community projects to improve neighborhood aesthetics and well-being. Community Involvement and Collaboration

• Personal involvement in community issues, such as aiding an elderly neighbor facing eviction, drives UCI's mission. Temisha has created collaborative efforts with community leaders like Pastor Harris and organizations like the Center for Children's Rights amplify UCI's impact.

• Grassroots initiatives, such as fundraising and volunteer-led projects, are instrumental in addressing community needs.

  
  

Lala Middleton interviews Paul Tutwiler about the involvement of the Northwest Jacksonville CDC with Durkeeville.

Paul established the non-profit to drive tangible change in underserved communities. Their initiatives are to preserve and honor the history of a neighborhood facing challenges.