About Us
Our Volunteers
We are a group of dedicated volunteers who work in our community each summer since our inception in 2016, to bring awareness to our community, as to how the arts play a very intricate role in a child’s development, as well as his/her mental health. Since the arts are no longer in “most public schools,” especially in rural Mississippi, DATCC was created to sorta “bring back” the arts…this very essential element in a child’s life. We incorporate the academics as well, to include age-appropriate math and reading comprehension. Our participants also engage in “real life” scenarios relating to racial, social and civic justice. Through our performing arts component, our children perform Black History skits relating to the struggle of social justice, as well as educate our audiences to “little known facts” about Black inventors, entrepreneurs, etc. DATCC volunteers are compassionate, and we care about the future of every child we mentor.
Lakesha Rand
J.J. McClain High School Academic Instructor Visual/Creative Arts Instructor
Malika Meeks
Delta Technical College Assistant Academic/Performing/ Culinary Arts Instructor
Mrs. Maggie Stingley
Retired Educator Academic Instructor
Dennis Thurmond, Jr.
Jackson State University Assistant Academic/Performing/ Culinary Arts Instructor
Prayer LaFaith Roberson
J.J. McClain High School Academic/Performing Arts (Modeling) Instructor
Our Leadership
Founder
Arnita Fisher Knight
My name is Arnita Fisher Knight. I am the proud Mother of Marquis Javon Knight, who lives in Brandon, Mississippi with his wife Elizabeth. He has two Sons...Gabriel and Noah, whom I love to the moon and back...but my story doesn’t start here...I am a product of Mississippi, by the way of Natchez, Mississippi. I left Natchez at an early age and began my journey with God. God has allowed me, through life experiences and spiritual awakenings, to go to the military (Army), being stationed in Korea and stateside, and discharging with an honorable status. With this military status, God has allowed me to work for the Federal Government in Atlanta, Georgia, and Tampa, Florida, (VA Medical Centers). As a disabled veteran, God allowed me to go back to college and acquire a degree from Alcorn State University in Social Work. He allowed me to work as a front-line social worker for the Department of Human Services inRankin County, Mississippi, where I worked with children and families. All along my journey, I kept God first and constantly asked Him for guidance. After two and a half years at the Department of Human Services, I resigned and I did something drastic...I went to truck driving school. I acquired a Commercial Driver’s License and began to drive 18 wheelers across the country. I knew that driving this truck was in His will, because I did not have any knowledge of driving any type standard shift vehicle...talk about having “FAITH.” After driving trucks as a solo driver for a year in a half, I knew that God had to have been preparing me for something. As my journey continued, I asked God to put me where He needed me next...to show me a place where He needed me to go, as He did Abraham, and I was placed in Lexington, Holmes County Mississippi, in November 2012...and this is my journey’s short version.As I reflect (which I often do) I can see why I have traveled these roads, less traveled by many. The life experiences I’ve encountered thus far have given me strength to carry on a mission, “To Help Create Self-Sustaining Young Folk,” which is our organization’s mission statement. God’s journey for me isdefinitely a challenging one, but with His strength, I choose to “Faint Not.”
Program Coordinator
Deedra Shanelle Wright
Ms. Wright was born January 28, 1974. She is the mother of three adult children, Tiara, Aeryk and Malika. She also has seven grandchildren. She is a 1992 graduate of J.J. McClain High School. Shereceived her Associate Degree from the University of Phoenix, and plans to finish her six classes to complete her studies to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She currently holds certifications in Medical Assistance, Phlebotomy, and EKG Tech at Virginia College. Ms. Wright is a member of Saint Paul Church of God In Christ, “The Mother Church,” in Lexington, Mississippi. She faithfully serves as a member of the choir, kitchen staff, chairperson of the Praise Dance Team and a member of the Drama Ministry. Ms. Wright has a passion for drama and has had the co-lead and lead rolls in two stage play productions, “Temporary Fill,” and “Our Family Reunion.” Withthe passion and experience Deedra has for the performing arts, she asked if she could be a part of what she saw as the opportunity to “direct” positive influences in the young minds of Holmes County Mississippi youth, teens andyoung adults. She began volunteering with DATCC at its inception in 2016. Ms. Wright’s most influential Bible Verses are Isaiah 40:28-31, and James 1:2-4. These scriptures have encouraged her during some darker times. Her motto is: “Have faith even in the storm.” “It is there where one grows strength and character.” Her life lesson and what she has come to learn is, “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice youhave.”
