ABOUT
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Photo by Lynn McIntosh of Dark Flower Studios
As an Atlanta native, artist, and social entrepreneur, I dedicate my work to closing gaps created by systemic injustice. I invest in youth because breaking generational cycles requires more than representation—it requires access and a clear roadmap. If we want transformation, youth need to know how.
The inequity in our city and nation is staggering. While excess exists, families living in poverty endure mental and physical strain from lack of rest, food, clean water, healthcare, and education. I believe rest is a birthright—not a luxury. Art is my rest and how I’ve made peace with growing through poverty.
I’m grateful to my parents, who persisted through great scarcity and raised me with an abundance in care. They met in hospitality and taught me how to lead people through an experience—wisdom I’ve carried from Montessori classrooms to stadium stands, from Community Management at The LOLA , to nonprofit board rooms.
I earned my B.S. in Biology from OU in 2017, aspiring to be a doctor. That path shifted when I became Outreach Coordinator in the Counseling Department, where I gained skills in grant writing and program evaluation—tools I use as the Fractional Executive Director of Athena’s Warehouse (2019–present).
After my family was displaced by gentrification in 2016, I co-founded VBH to educate tenants on their rights. In 2022, I earned my M.A. in Social Innovation from ASC. I am proud to be part of the transformational work of A Sip of Paradise Garden as we gather to provide tangible community based solutions for all workers, starting with those who serve us all, bartenders. I'm proud to be a brand ambassador for Everyday Luxury by Crystal White who I met years ago at The LOLA where I am also a brand ambassador.
Dia Parker is the Fractional Executive Director of Athena’s Warehouse, an Atlanta based nonprofit dedicated to the fight for equitable success pathways for young women and gender nonconforming youth ages 14-24. Since 2013, Dia has led small remote and hybrid teams, written grants, developed and evaluated health based programs. Dia was born and raised in Atlanta, GA her mother raised her to be an activist from an early age and in 2015 when their family was gentrified from their home of 15 years in the newly founded city, Brookhaven, she began working with other organizers to create Los Vecinos de Buford Hwy, a nonprofit dedicated to educating tenants who speak Spanish as their primary language about their rights. She will never forget how amidst the chaotic gentrification event, how desparately her mother attempted to explain to other tenants that they had a right to reclaim their deposit-since the landlord had broken the lease. This small piece of information would have put $400-650 back into the hands of families who had not yet secured new housing. Yet, many families left those dollars behind in a panic, under the misconception that they were being evicted.
At 32 years old, Dia has spent over a decade immersed daily in service to her community. She has been privileged to earn her Bachelors of Science at Oglethorpe University in 2017 and recently completed a Masters of Arts in Social Innovation at Agnes Scott College in December of 2022 with a Certificate in Evaluation & Assessment. Dia also sits on the Board of Cross Keys Foundation as the Scholarship Committee Chair. Each week you can find Dia at her favorite co-working space in Midtown Atlanta, The Lola , or at her alma mater, Cross Keys High School- mentoring and educating youth.
Thank you to Voyage ATL for featuring my little life's story.
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