The Walls Project proudly welcomes Dr. Ashlyn Harrison, a visionary leader dedicated to transforming communities through art, education, and innovation. In this interview, she shares her inspirations, bold ideas, and vision for driving meaningful change.
Walls: Dr. Harrison, welcome to your new role as Senior Director of Programs at The Walls Project! Let's start with something unconventional—what's a personal philosophy or mantra that guides how you approach community-driven work?
Dr. Harrison: My personal philosophy is rooted in a mantra my mom used always to tell me: 'Don’t be a product of your environment; make your environment a product of you.' This principle has guided my approach to community-driven work, inspiring me to not only adapt to my surroundings but to actively shape and improve them. It reminds me to lead with purpose, create opportunities for growth, and foster resilience in the communities I serve, ensuring that every challenge becomes an opportunity for transformation.
Walls: Your background is impressive—how has a specific challenge in your career shaped your approach to collaborative problem-solving?
Dr. Harrison: One challenge that has shaped my approach to collaborative problem-solving was addressing burnout and resource strain among educators and staff in underserved communities. As someone deeply involved in mental health and education, I witnessed how overworked teams struggled to meet the needs of their students and themselves.
To tackle this, I focused on building partnerships and creating wellness-focused initiatives, like mental health workshops and streamlined workflows, to alleviate stress and improve efficiency. This required bringing together stakeholders from different backgrounds, educators, administrators, and mental health professionals and finding common ground to prioritize both student outcomes and staff well-being.
This experience taught me the importance of listening, creating space for innovative ideas, and ensuring that solutions benefit everyone involved. It also reinforced my belief that true collaboration isn’t just about solving problems it’s about empowering people to thrive.
Walls: The Walls Project is known for bringing creativity and innovation to urban revitalization. What role do you think art plays in breaking down systemic barriers?
Dr. Harrison: Art has always been a powerful way to break down barriers, whether it’s visual, performing, or even literary. For me, it’s not just about murals; it’s about how art in all its forms can connect people, spark important conversations, and inspire change. Growing up, dance and theatre were my outlets. With over 15 years of experience training and teaching dance, I’ve seen firsthand how the performing arts can transform lives, especially for young people. I’ve worked with students who were shy at first but found their confidence on stage or in the studio. That’s why I’m such a big believer in exposing kids to the arts early. It gives them the freedom to explore their creativity, think critically, and discover what makes them unique. Art doesn’t just change spaces; it changes people, and that’s where the real transformation begins.
Walls: What’s a book, film, or piece of art that deeply influenced your worldview and how you engage with the world today?
Dr. Harrison: As a young Black woman, several books, films, and works of art have profoundly influenced my worldview and shaped how I engage with the world. Books like Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow and Multiplication Is for White People by Dr. Lisa Delpit opened my eyes to systemic injustices and fueled my commitment to education, advocacy, and equity. Becoming by Michelle Obama highlighted the power of perseverance and authenticity, showing me how to navigate challenges with grace and determination.
Films like 13th by Ava DuVernay and H.U.S.H. by Antwon Lindsey taught me the importance of resilience and storytelling, providing both a lens into the past and a call to action for the future. Hidden Figures and The Woman King illustrated the transformative power of representation, reminding me of the importance of seeing ourselves reflected in stories of strength, intelligence, and leadership.
The art piece Sugar Shack by Ernie Barnes has always been a powerful inspiration for me. Its vibrant depiction of joy, community, and culture captures the essence of resilience and unity in the Black experience.
Each of these works has reinforced the importance of engaging with the world intentionally, leading with empathy, and striving for meaningful change in my community and beyond. They remind me that representation matters because it allows us to see what is possible and inspires the next generation to dream bigger.
Walls: In your opinion, what’s the most underestimated skill or quality that a leader in community programming should have?
Dr. Harrison: In my opinion, one of the most underestimated skills a leader in community programming should have is emotional intelligence. While strategic planning, resource management, and policy knowledge are essential, emotional intelligence, encompassing self-awareness, empathy, active listening, and interpersonal communication is the true foundation for building trust, fostering collaboration, and addressing the nuanced needs of our diverse communities.
Walls: If you were to develop a program that addresses an emerging issue no one is talking about yet, what would it focus on?
Dr. Harrison: One issue in underserved communities in Baton Rouge that isn’t being talked about enough is the lack of culturally responsive, holistic mental health services. As a licensed mental health therapist, I’ve seen how mental health isn’t one-size-fits-all, and traditional approaches like sitting on a therapist’s couch doesn’t work for everyone. For many, healing comes in different forms, whether it’s through art, music, movement, or storytelling.
Addressing mental health needs to be about treating the whole person, mind, body, and spirit in ways that feel accessible and empowering. This could look like mindfulness workshops, community support groups, financial wellness classes, or creative outlets like dance and theatre. By meeting people where they are and offering options that reflect their unique experiences, we can create a more inclusive and effective way to support mental well-being.
Walls: When you think about the long-term legacy of The Walls Project, what do you hope future generations will look back on and say?
Dr. Harrison: When I think about the long-term legacy of The Walls Project, I hope future generations will look back and say it was more than just a movement to transform spaces, that it was a catalyst for empowering people and redefining what was possible in marginalized communities. I want them to remember how it brought art, creativity, and innovation to the forefront of urban revitalization, breaking down systemic barriers, fostering connections, and creating lasting opportunities.
To continue growing the organization and expanding its impact, I plan to develop new partnerships, secure sustainable funding, and implement programs that amplify the voices of underserved communities. My goal is to create more accessible spaces where people can express themselves, celebrate their culture, and discover their potential through art and creativity. By investing in these efforts, I want to ensure The Walls Project becomes a lasting symbol of hope, inclusion, and progress that future generations will build on.
Interviewer: Let’s end on a lighter note—if you had to paint one wall in your city, what would it look like, and what story would it tell?
Dr. Harrison: If I could paint one wall in Baton Rouge, it would be on Southern University’s campus my first alma mater, honoring its legacy as the first and only HBCU system and the resilience of the Scotlandville community. The mural would be titled “A Legacy Unbroken,” it would feature pivotal moments in Southern’s history, including the Civil Rights Movement and the tragic campus riot where two young men lost their lives fighting for justice. It would also celebrate the university’s contributions to education, civil rights, and community empowerment. With symbols like the bluff, the Jaguar mascot, the Human Jukebox, and the oak trees, the mural would serve as a powerful tribute to Southern’s enduring legacy and the strength of those who shaped it, ensuring their stories inspire future generations.
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