Residents, students and the local creative community gathered at events across Washington, D.C., to celebrate Gifted Week, presented by EQT and Grammy-nominated rapper Wale Nov. 10-14.
Dedicated to celebrating DMV community and culture, EQT was founded by Wale, who felt it was essential to give back to the area where he grew up and launched his career.
“I [have to do it] for the community because it does so much for me,” said the artist, “my whole career, my whole life.”
The events for the week included: the rapper appearing as principal for the day at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Northwest; a youth football clinic hosted by the Washington Commanders; a sneaker design workshop sponsored by Nike; a poetry showcase highlighting local talent; a discussion on the state of Black media; and closed off with a live performance by Wale on the heels of his new album “Everything is A Lot.”
Kelsye Adams, co-producer of events for Gifted Week, felt the programming was not only a way to give back to the community, but highlight the beauty, strength and power of the District.
“This is our second annual Gifted Week. We are here deeply rooted in culture, specifically D.C. culture,” Adams told The Informer, celebrating the success of the week of programming. “We gave away over 125 pairs of Nikes, some directly from Kevin Durant himself!”
Henny Yegezu, CEO and founder of EQT, echoed those sentiments.
“I was born in D.C. and grew up in [Prince George’s] County, [so this is] definitely an honor and a privilege. [Wale has] done so much for our area,” Yegezu said. “We’re reenergizing our local community, we’re giving away things and we’re activating [the] youth.”
Poetry Jam Unites D.C. Creatives
Many local creatives took to the highly anticipated Poetry Jam, held at Grounded in Southeast D.C. on Nov. 12, hoping to showcase their talent.
Jaelynn Baker, a student attending American University, felt Gifted Week gave those underrepresented in the city a chance to come together and learn from one another.
“I don’t really come to this side of town much,” Baker told The Informer, “[but] I’ve recently gotten more into creativity and I think poetry is a great way to express yourself.”
For Baker, hosting the event in Southeast was a great way to showcase some of the District’s creative gems.
“Some of the most disenfranchised neighborhoods in D.C. is where some of the most art is. [It’s] a way for people to believe in their future, and to believe in their own lives,” Baker continued.
Savaj Tompkins, a newcomer to the nation’s capital and poetry jams, was equally excited to participate in the showcase.
“This is my first poetry event that I’ve ever been to,” he said as he brainstormed words for his Wednesday evening performance.
Despite the Gifted Week event being an introduction to a lot of new things and people, Tompkins was excited to make his District debut.
“It’s a packed out event [and] I’m ready,” he told The Informer. “This is my ‘Welcome to D.C.’ moment.”
