Name: Brian Clark (View Brian's Gift Page and Photos of His Impact
Here)
1. How did you hear about The Generation Project?
I heard about The Generation Project while I was working with Teach For America's Alumni Affairs Team in the New York Regional Office. My interest was perked by its innovative approach to donating. At present, I am a Program Manager with Teach For India in Pune.
2. Tell us a little bit about the gift you designed.
The gift I designed was rather broad for the purpose of teaching ballet or about ballet in low-income communities. My partner is a classically trained ballet dancer who is a company member with Rioult in New York City. Though I am not a dancer myself, it struck me how little I had been exposed to dance in my life as the son of a Mexican immigrant who had come to the states to pick fruit. As I thought about it more, I became rather perturbed by the idea that so many kids in inner-city schools may be surrounded by the arts throught he nature of the cities in which they reside, but otherwise unable to access them due to the stratification ofour society. I wanted to create a gift that would allow a talented teacher to help expose students to an art form I have grown to love.
3. What advice do you have for other donors?
One thing I would tell other donors: Be creative! Though I may not be a classically trained ballet dancer, nor am I fluent in dance-speak, I know that I love it. And our scholars should likewise have the chance to fall in love with dance too!