Today we’d like to introduce you to DeAsia Danladi.
Hi, DeAsia; thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up as a military kid, I encountered limited opportunities to explore diverse careers and facets of adulthood. Consequently, after graduating high school, navigating the journey to find the right career was a trial-and-error adventure for four (4) years. In 2020, I reconnected with a high school friend I met at Delta GEMS, Tailor Pickens, the co-founder and Executive Director of Gene Xcellence, to help teens and young adults from the prolonged struggle of discovering their place in the world. We came into the nonprofit industry without experience or knowledge, just a hope for change.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a challenging road. We have dealt with a lot of adversity and bumpy times as founders of this nonprofit, my partner, Tailor Pickens, and our biggest challenge is time constraints. Balancing our roles as students, working towards our Bachelor’s Degrees, and managing day jobs while Tailor holds the responsibilities of being a single mother poses a considerable challenge. To address this, our organization must expand its volunteer and donor base, ensuring essential needs are met effectively. On top of that, we have to find the time to learn and grow as future community leaders. On a personal note, as two inexperienced young women of color, Tailor and I have encountered a spectrum of responses. Some individuals graciously welcomed us with understanding minds, offering mentorship and support as we navigated our learning process and growth journey. However, others perceive us as scattered or dismiss the significance of our endeavors. To some, it may seem like two young girls doing random things. Yet, Tailor and I firmly believe that every initiative we undertake is geared towards solving the challenges teens and young adults face, such as needing more knowledge about personal finance after graduating high school. Our ultimate goal is to assist them in becoming better versions of themselves.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Gene Xcellence?
For Gene Xcellence, our mission is clear: to dismantle the stigma surrounding common stressors of adulthood for teens and young adults to help their transition to adulthood be easier and their journey to economic mobility more achievable. These stressors include, but are not limited to, personal finance, mental health, and career selection and exploration. Our vision is for the teens and young adults in Greenville County to live authentically, embracing their gifts and passions while being well-prepared for life’s transitions. We accomplish this through our Intensive Excellence Program (middle and high school program), Wealthy Young Adult Workshops, and different community outreach events.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
In creating Gene Xcellence, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed board members, dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and the supportive parents of our Intensive Excellence Program. Tailor and I have had the privilege of connecting with an array of incredible individuals on this journey, discovering the impactful organizations that contribute to the betterment of Greenville County and the broader Upstate community. Special thanks to remarkable individuals such as Susan Crooks (Founder of Walt’s Waltz), Norma Jean Suarez (Executive Director of Unity Health on Main), and Tracey Mulvaney (Founder of Unifying Hearts), whose commitment to positive change has inspired us we deeply appreciate our early supporters, the Jolley Foundation and Cricket Wireless, who believed in us from the outset, providing vital support for our operations and community outreach. Lastly, we thank our valued current and future community partners for their collaboration and shared commitment to making a meaningful difference. (You can find a list of our community partners on our website.)
Pricing:
- Varied Prices
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gene-xcellence.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gene_xcellence/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genexcellence20/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gene-xcellence-648a34272/
Image Credits
1. Tailor Pickens 2. DeAsia Danladi (right) and Tailor Pickens (Left) 3. Intensive Excellence Program Students 4. Tailor Pickens & Cricket Wireless Staff 5. Susan Crooks, DeAsia Danladi, Tailor Pickens
