This summer, Project 440 is one of 17 Philadelphia cultural organizations participating in the Bloomberg Arts Internship (BAI) program supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The program helps young people develop the skills they need by providing students in Baltimore, Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. with work experience at select cultural institutions, as well as work-readiness and college-preparation training. We are thrilled to have Naja Johnson and Ricando Davis join us as summer interns. Naja and Ricando had the opportunity to interview each other earlier this month. Continue reading to learn more about Ricando, and be sure to check out our next blog post to get to know Naja!
Ricando Davis
Naja (N): What’s your regular halal order? Ricando (R): I don’t really eat halal food, but the first time I had it I had lamb and rice and it was good.
N: What made you want to join BAI? R: I love music, especially the arts, and when looking for something to do this summer I wanted to work at a place that shared the same interest as me. Another reason why I wanted to join BAI is because of their mission to allow young people in the Philadelphia School District to create and formulate different ways to spread art in Philadelphia.
N: What piece of music do you consider a timeless piece? R: The Chariot Jubilee by Nathaniel Dett
N: Do you think we should always associate the art with the artist?
R: When I think of art, I think of it as an activity that people use to express their deepest feelings, emotions, and or desires, so I do think we should always associate the art with the artist. Art is honest and pure, and if you create a piece that is not you, is it really “Art” in a sense?
N: How would you describe the feeling of your first musical performance? How could you compare then from now? R: For my first musical performance, I felt free and felt like whatever I was going through and/or whatever I have been through was non-existent. My first performance allowed me to realize that music could be a way to heal and escape from my problems and adversities. And even to this day I feel the same way, and that feeling never gets old.
N: In your ideal perfect day, do you see yourself practicing or thinking of your art? What comes to mind? R: Yes, I do. I see myself playing the keyboard and singing whatever comes to my mind, or sometimes I see myself performing on the Grammy stage.
N: If you were stranded on an island today what ways would you try to stay sane? R: Definitely sing a song and/or find different objects to make musical items.
N: Describe a time when you felt as though you were the elephant in the room. R: My first time taking an AP class at my high school. Walking into that room and being surrounded by people who did not look like me and did not share the same experiences made me feel out of place.
N: What are 3 items you would put in a time capsule? R: My certificates, pictures of my younger self, and a piece of my favorite cake (lol).
N: What is one of the biggest challenges you still face today? Do you find ways to cope? R: My biggest challenge that I still face today is not being patient with myself. I have this mindset that I am supposed to get everything fast and quick, and when I don’t, I beat myself up. But with time, I have learned and have been trying to internalize that patience is key. My way of coping is taking deep breaths whenever I become flustered and reminding myself that I am not perfect.