Meet Nyeka Arnold of The Healing Project

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nyeka Arnold.

Hi Nyeka, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It all started with a PROJECT. I TAKE PRIDE in being an Austinite!

I love my city and my people.

This is where I was taught to survive and live.

As a Black Baby, Woman & Mother, I was born in redlined disenfranchised communities. A Place where it was death, poverty, and love at the same time.

The main thing I focus on is the love.

The love came from the resources and the resources came from the people and the people came from the city! You get where I’m heading? Yes, I’m a project baby! I love being a project baby! It’s a beautiful thing.

I didn’t know I was the best project I could ever work one. Everything that was designed to go against me I made it work in my favor. Once I was able to do that, I decided to empower my people, Provide resources and advocate. That’s when I established The Healing Project. An organization that has the hands on experience and don’t mind bringing the resources to my our people, our communities, and city. It takes a village, so why not start with The Healing Project?

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?
Of course, the road hasn’t been smooth. I was born with a system against me and I’m pretty sure I’ll leave this world with it against me, but I’ll die trying to create a new system for my people. I’m radical, I’m brave and I’m tensions. I’ve had to face some of my own people, I’ve had to face my counterparts, polluted systems, polluted politics and polluted cities. Although nothing will stop the powers, I apply to my pure intentions. I call it doing God’s work. & you can’t beat God!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Healing Project?
I’m so proud of The Healing Project. We are everywhere, especially in spirit. The empowerment we give off as an organization is what sets us apart from others. Yes, use us as a stepping stone until you feel so empowered that you know how to organize, advocate and navigate with your community, neighbors or projects.

Residents who live within Austin’s “project” communities are disenfranchised by deliberate neglect, which negatively impacts the overall quality of life. The Healing Project was established in 2021 by Nyeka Arnold, born and raised in ‘the projects’ and experienced the lack of resources, over-policing and police brutality, displacement, high unemployment rates, and economic injustice first-hand. Ultimately, The Healing Project is committed to empowering Black and Brown residents within ‘the projects’ by offering a path towards healing through self-advocacy.

Program Objective: The Project Babies program aims to empower residents of Austin’s HUD-funded housing complexes, also known as “the projects,” to become self-advocates through sharing information, resources, and support. PBAP participants will “graduate” to become Project Baby Ambassadors, representing The Healing Project and the property they live on.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Qualities or characteristics I feel is most important to my success is rising every day being the change, not going to sleep without making a change and staying grounded!

Pricing:

Image Credits
Dylan Manshack

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