Deep Ellum has always been a celebration of the music and arts. I have many core memories of music and dancing in my early 20s. It’s been a place I’ve considered home away from home. I’ve gone through a lot with being raised in an environment that did not nurture my love of art. I was welcomed by Debbie Driscoll and treated with such immense respect! She made me feel like my art and heart mattered. I have this extremely positive outlook on Deep Ellum being the true heART of Dallas. Deep Ellum has had its misconceptions, and I still find it to be an incredibly alluring place. The smells, the atmosphere, the weird, and quirky parts that all add to this understated gem. The most profound beautiful things in life come from broken, traumatic, imperfect people. That goes for this neighborhood! It belongs to the remarkably eccentric souls. This place is full of so much life, and purpose; that can be something so special for future generations. Deep Ellum is every bit apart of the embodiment of resilience. I hope that more people can see this place through my looking glass, and see it for the truly magical place that it is. It’s home.