Neighbors brighten Clark Park wall in Everett

For two weekends at Clark Park in Everett, people picked up paintbrushes and painted the concrete wall of the tennis court.

Organized by the Bayside Neighborhood Association, the project was funded by a grant from the city’s Cultural Arts Commission. An attempt to turn city basketball courts into murals called Project Backboard inspired the idea for Clark Park.

Erika Flak, member of the Bayside Steering Committee, led the project and prepared several graphic design options and color palettes.

John and Lisa Phillips, also on the steering committee, worked with city officials to carry out the project, although the grant did not cover all costs.

Other ideas for the park are in the works, and help and input are being sought from other Bayside neighbors.

Learn more at http://baysidena.yolasite.com.

EvCC President named Aspen Fellow

Earlier this month, the Aspen Institute announced its 2021 Ascend Fellows, including Everett Community College President Daria Willis.

The group of 19 is committed to reinventing systems, unlocking potential and overcoming barriers so that children and their families can thrive.

Daria Willis, president of Everett Community College. (EVCC)

“When I was in college I was a single mom on grocery aid and struggled to get through the day,” Willis said. “As college president, I’ve worked hard to expand access and opportunities for all students. I am honored to join Ascend at the Aspen Institute to work with leaders from across the country to transform systems and create meaningful change to help families thrive. ”

Each fellow is their own trailblazer who seeks bold change in a myriad of challenges and opportunities faced by families, many of whom are still affected by the nation’s pandemic and racial accounting, according to a press release. The Fellows lead their endeavors, from combating the extinction of the voice and visibility of the indigenous people, to building a movement fueled by the strength of historically undervalued communities, and working shoulder-to-shoulder with entire communities to create a movement develop new caring paradigms that enable all children to thrive, learn, feel safe, known and loved.

Over the next 18 months, fellows will inspire, challenge, and support one another as they work in various sectors, all of which impact the prosperity and well-being of families, from reinventing care and learning systems to unlocking capital that opens doors to economic inclusion and justice, breaking new ground with research changing course for policies and practices that directly affect communities.

The 2021 class will join more than 80 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellows selected for their visionary leadership and willingness to take a quantum leap forward in breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty for families in America.

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The concrete wall of the tennis courts at Clark Park in Everett was painted into a bright mural by people over two weekends.  (Jay Austria)

The concrete wall of the tennis courts at Clark Park in Everett was painted into a bright mural by people over two weekends. (Jay Austria)