Dravidi Stinnett, from Long Beach California, moved to Pittsburgh in 2013 to complete a year of service as part of Repair the World’s first Pittsburgh-based cohort. During her time as a Repair Fellow, she worked closely with her cohort and Director Zack Block to launch the Pittsburgh Repair the World program and build relationships in the community. She now works as a Human Resources Assistant at the US Department of Justice.
What motivates you in your commitment to service?
It feels like it’s what I’m supposed to be doing. I think growing up with challenges and sometimes taking the hard road of just figuring it out makes me want to give back more and more so that the next person (the person behind me, wherever that is) doesn’t have to waste time on all of the bumps – we need some of them to grow. If I can be a part of making something better, I’m here for it.
How did you learn about Repair the World? Why did you choose to do it?
My twin sister is an Americorps alumnus (PGH Literacy Core) and she talked me into it. I was working (temporarily) at the V.A. in Los Angeles in the community care department with veteran homelessness outreach, when my sister and I went to watch the Diane Sawyer special about Strawberry Mansion in Philadelphia. When it was over, we started going back and forth with program ideas and ways to help.
The stories really resonated with both of us. My twin and I are the first of our mother’s eight children to graduate high school (let alone go to college). The student’s stories felt like part of our story. I remembered asking myself some of the same questions the students in Philly asked. I watched the show and I talked back to the screen and said, “Oh, that was me in high school.”
I figured it out (bit-by-bit, mess up by mess up – I’m STILL learning) but it was HARD, honestly. I watched the show and I wondered if they knew they could do this or that…there is a way. I thought, “Someone should share what I know.”
My sister said I should apply to Repair because we could go to Philadelphia together to help and create.
I was also attracted to the Jewish values. I had been exploring Jewish values and my identity and what that meant to me and my life at this point on my own for a while before I heard of Repair, so I was excited and thought this was a good opportunity to explore that more…a chance to mix my personal and professional journeys.
Why did you choose to stay in Pittsburgh after your time with Repair the World was over?
While doing the Repair the World fellowship, I built up so many relationships and found places that I really liked to go, so it became a place pretty hard for me to let go of (even though I could do without the snow).
I like recognizing people when I go places—that is a hit or miss thing in Southern California. I built up a little community and I could feel it!
Has there ever been a time when you lacked the confidence to take on a professional challenge or a leadership role? How did you overcome that?
Yes, all the time. I consider myself a shy person, someone who likes to process things, so maybe I overthink. Whenever someone asks me if I’m ready, my real answer is no; just make me do it and I’ll get it done. Being ready for something is the biggest lie. We are figuring things out one piece at a time…the trick is finding other people who can admit it and who know a little more than you and are willing to let you learn with them.
Why should nonprofits value the leadership of diverse young people?
You miss out on all the ideas if you only listen to the ones you like. If you really want to be of service to ALL people you need all the ideas on the table.