Aja Dixon, Blight 2 Blight Intern

My name is Aya Dixon. I was born and raised in Baltimore City. I come from a performing arts family and a community of entrepreneurs. In 2017 I graduated from Baltimore City College High School. I currently attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. I own a brand called Aya that is also an acronym that stands for All that you Are. Being a Baltimore city native I have had a firsthand glimpse at the blight crisis in Baltimore. As a child I remember one day when I got in trouble with my mom and I could not understand why she was so angry with me. Me and my friends let curiosity consume us as we ventured into an abandoned house. I remember the porch was tattered and in the center of the first floor was a gaping hole that exposed where the basement once was. Now looking back, I understand that her anger stemmed from fear. Children have minds of curiosity and wonder. It is important that sites of danger are marked boldly and gated off from their paths of adventure. It is important to me that Baltimore city thrives. I will not let my city be abandoned and left to ruin creating a hazardous environment for the next generation to come. My city will thrive and people must be held accountable for their responsibilities.