Arts Advocacy Day 2015

#AAD15

"Advocacy must be a part of your daily mission," words spoken by Jay Dick the Senior Director of State and Local Government Affairs from Americans for the Arts (AFTA) in the opening of this year's Arts Advocacy Day. With over 550 advocates from 48 states it was great to see so many people passionate about advocating for the arts. Being able to take this opportunity to travel to Washington D.C., speak with our government officials and advocate for the arts was such a great experience in learning why I love doing what I do as well as continuing to fight to have the next generation to have the same opportunities that I was given. Even though this was my first time attending the event, this was not the first time I've spoken to my elected officials about advocating for the arts as well as having my voice heard.

To read more of what I wrote go to the Educational Theatre Association page.

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Transformation

It's been a couple months since I've updated here.

I'd like to think the year is getting off to a great start, I've put up my website (www.whoismarkdrum.com), I'm dancing in a showcase at Alvin Ailey, I'm attending this year's Arts Advocacy Day in Washington D.C., and I'm relearning my native language.

Change is never easy and doesn't happen overnight. It takes time and I'm continuing to make the positive changes I want in my life. I can say I'm learning from experiences whether it was good or bad, I can admit when I'm at fault or was wrong and I'm just overall trying to be happy.

Isn't that what everyone wants? To be happy?

I can say that I'm keeping up with my resolutions and continuing to find more reasons why I love where I am. The next few months I've filled my calendar with events and I've even scheduled a little vacation in between! However I'm still pursuing acting and I say that I'm a blogger but I haven't blogged much. So hopefully more post will come to fruition and I'll continue to share my story to those who want to read.

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