Hoods to Woods

My personal tag line for 2010 is simple: “surrounded by inspiration.”  If you don’t inspire me on some level, chances are you won’t see much of me this year! It may sound harsh, but time is real and I can’t really afford to spend it around people who aren’t inspiring, progressive and making their mark in the world.

While this blog is dedicated to the Fly Female Entrepreneur, I’m equally inspired by the men in my community making power moves and taking their crafts to the next level. Today’s testosterone-laced inspiration comes from Bed-Stuy’s own, Deka. As a snowboarder-slash-graphic artist, Deka is single-handedly defying stereotypes of what success “looks like” in the hood.

Hoods to Woods trailer #1 from Brian Paupaw on Vimeo.

Last year I had the pleasure of checking out Deka’s documentary, “Hoods to Woods” and strongly encourage you to do the same. “Hoods to Woods” is a documentary based on the story of Brian “Deka” Paupaw and his journey from the inner city streets of Bed-Stuy Brooklyn to the deep country mountains of North and South America. Through Deka’s self-told story, we experience how the culture of snowboarding transformed a life once stifled by the social constraints of the streets, into one which is only bounded by the edge of a mountain.

Embracing the power of “each one, teach one,” Deka is working diligently to bring snowboarding to at-risk youth in Bed-Stuy Brookyn. With your help, The Hoods to Woods Foundation will offer a complimentary six-week snowboarding program that promotes leadership, health, and well-being to our youth while introducing them to the beauty of the great outdoors.

So by now I’m sure you wondering “how can I be down?” There are a couple screenings of “Hoods to Woods” coming up over the next couple of weeks that you can attend to learn more about the movement:

Dates: 1.6.10 and 1.13.10

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Cloud

287 Macon Street, Ground Floor

Brooklyn, New York (Bed-Stuy)

Suggested Donation: $10

To learn more about Deka and the “Hoods to Woods” documentary click  here.

Tell a friend to tell a friend!