Intern Reflection by Senait Womack

Senait Womack

Chile! If you had asked me in Fall 2022 if I would find fulfillment through working with Daybreak Arts, I would have come back with a “What you talkin’ ’bout, Willis?”

Daybreak is not just a nonprofit that cares about the well-being and elevation of its artists, but also everyone who comes through its doors. I was sent the Metro Arts application, thinking this would be an amazing opportunity to see what organizations are keeping Nashville niche. Prior to the interview, of course, knowing a little something about the area of focus Daybreak centers on is important. It intrigued me how Nicole connected with such a deliberately cut-off community through the arts. From that moment, I knew I had to work with Daybreak. What I was not expecting, though, was to cackle with the lovely Ashley and Nicole during the interview. That connection made me fall in LOVE with Daybreak.

As the newly elected head of an organization, I was eager to understand what the smooth operation of a company looked like. As a Nonprofit Management Intern, that is exactly what I got. From helping organize inventory for the Gala (Ashley the trooper), to assisting with HCA alongside Lauren and THE Sidney Sparkle while learning new and innovative artistic techniques, to sending emails to potential partners, Daybreak filled my cup.

With all the skills I knew I wanted to improve upon, I was also curious about being immersed in an underrepresented community. Unfortunately, homelessness and housing insecurity are extremely prevalent, yet not broadcast or resourced enough for people to truly understand or address. I wanted to understand the issues within the community and how in the world Nicole thought the arts could help anyone get back on their feet. Being able to sit, listen, and internalize the experiences many of the artists have gone through and seeing them show up on the other side is powerful. And through the arts? Double whammy. I will forever hold onto the lessons I learned from the artists and apply them in any way possible.

Daybreak is more than an internship to me, if you have not noticed from my previous paragraphs. It is a family, and honestly, a part of my family now. I will forever be grateful for the work Daybreak has done before, during, and beyond my time there. And trust, this will NOT be the last time they see me.