I held onto the ten dollars, carrying it with me along my daily path. I considered the One Large project and what it might mean to be a part of it. As usual I had more questions than understanding. As time went on, I kept going back to the first thought I had at the beginning of this project. I knew I wanted to spend it at Impressionz in East Liberty.
Cecelia greeted me and I can only describe the feeling as: Warm early summer afternoon, saying hello to a place you don't see often but welcomes you just the same as if you're another part of the landscape. I am no regular at Impressionz, but have been there several times. Once, after a car accident, I found myself at Impressionz speaking to Cecelia. Who looked at me and said, "You need your mom." That has always stuck with me.
When I walked in on a Tuesday evening, she was reviewing pages and pages of homework belonging to her three children. Conversation was easy and light.
We chatted about the business and our work. We talked about kids and how much not knowing what may be next in life and work can be a struggle. We talked about change and possibility. Where we came from and where we may go. All of this midst hot food coming from the kitchen (made by her husband Desmond), takeout orders, and homework!
I asked her what she thought about the One Large Project. She agreed with its cause. She openly discussed the reality of her business and her neighborhood. The economic instability of creating a business without the right investments. This wasn’t a heavy spewing of politics and anger but rather a conversation about the possibility of all cultures existing within the community. Creating a place that welcomes all and no one business consumes the middle.
Cecelia greeted me and I can only describe the feeling as: Warm early summer afternoon, saying hello to a place you don't see often but welcomes you just the same as if you're another part of the landscape. I am no regular at Impressionz, but have been there several times. Once, after a car accident, I found myself at Impressionz speaking to Cecelia. Who looked at me and said, "You need your mom." That has always stuck with me.
When I walked in on a Tuesday evening, she was reviewing pages and pages of homework belonging to her three children. Conversation was easy and light.
We chatted about the business and our work. We talked about kids and how much not knowing what may be next in life and work can be a struggle. We talked about change and possibility. Where we came from and where we may go. All of this midst hot food coming from the kitchen (made by her husband Desmond), takeout orders, and homework!
I asked her what she thought about the One Large Project. She agreed with its cause. She openly discussed the reality of her business and her neighborhood. The economic instability of creating a business without the right investments. This wasn’t a heavy spewing of politics and anger but rather a conversation about the possibility of all cultures existing within the community. Creating a place that welcomes all and no one business consumes the middle.
One Large participant: VH
Name of black-owned business: Impressionz
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Race/ethnicity of participant: Hispanic
