Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Arrington
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Comics at the Corner started in 2018 as way for me to connect with my neighbors around literacy. The idea centered on providing culturally relevant and representative comic books to engage with people who may be struggling with literacy.
In the early days I simply wanted to buy comics and distribute them throughout the neighborhood. I would stop people or pop up in a barbershop and invite people to look through what I have.
Today we still do that but in much more intentional ways. We host poo up events called Lit(eracy) Lounges and are in the process of installing Comic Book Reading Nooks
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road remains bumpy! One of our main challenges is capacity. This is still very much a passion project. I and my board and most steadfast supporters all have full time jobs and lives. So coordinating and finding help is always gonna be a challenge. Unfortunately, the work of improving literacy in our community is ever present and isn’t showing signs of going away. Furthermore we are seeing a retreat from valuing things like public education and celebrating diversity. This directly impacts our work as we have to have resources to support what we do. Being intentional and honest about what we can do and how what we’re doing matters is our greatest and ongoing challenge
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I currently work for a local municipality in a community engagement role. I love this work because it’s what I do in my community/personal life too. I have been practicing Community Network Building for a long time and I love seeing residents and community members working together and getting good stuff done. I’m also a member of a national speakers bureau through Weave: The Social Fabric Project. Through Weave I get to spread the message of connectivity and understanding.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
This may be a bit controversial but I think it’s important to have mentor- mentee relationships but I don’t think this should be a singular experience. Meaning I have many people I can turn to for guidance and advice and vice versa. I don’t just have one. And most importantly it’s not a formal thing. I think my life has turned out better because I’ve never been too keen on the power dynamics of having a formal mentor. Have I been mentored? Absolutely and I leave myself open for mentoring experiences in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Comicsatthecorner.com
