Ty Harper is a Program Director at Christina Cultural Arts Center in Wilmington. Read his story as this week’s #PeopleOfWilmDE!
“I was born and raised in Wilmington and I’ve been employed for 10+ years in Wilmington. I was first employed at Jackson Street Boys & Girls Club in 2003, which had a huge influence on my ability to connect with students and families at Christina Cultural Arts Center (CCAC). I have been working at CCAC for approximately four years now and my experience gets better every year.
My mother was raised in Northeast Wilmington, and my father was raised in South Wilmington, but I grew up on the West Side of Wilmington (Hilltop). I went to Richardson Park Elementary School, A.I. Middle School, and Sanford School, where I was a student-athlete on the basketball team. When I was 16, I got my first job as a camp counselor at Jackson Street Boys and Girls Club. In 2009, I graduated from Delaware State University with a Bachelors degree in Psychology.
I love the work that I do, and I enjoy the people that I work with. AT CCAC, we cultivate an environment where our students can explore critical life and social skills through art. For that reason, I have a great deal of appreciation for the opportunity to work with like-minded artists and industry leaders.
Additionally, my choice to work in Wilmington is one of many ways that I give back to the city where I was born and raised. Although I have lived in Maryland and Georgia for short periods of time, Wilmington, DE is home. My hometown is one of my biggest inspirations!
I am an artist at heart; and I like the idea of teaching something in order to master it. As a teacher of our HeArt Under the Hoodie after school program, I have been afforded countless opportunities to practice and develop my leadership skills. Having the time and resources to train the next generation of artists on a daily basis is an honor. Ultimately, I also end up learning from our students. There is a huge reward in connecting with students through arts education.
Personally, I am forever grateful for the Christina Cultural Arts Center. The fact that I am exposed to art, business, and leadership all day, every day is a huge benefit to my evolution as a human being. Our displayed artwork and mementos throughout our organization positively reinforce my personal values of patience, creativity, freedom. I am glad to have formed (and still maintain) so many meaningful connections by being involved here at CCAC. So much of my experience has transformed me to my current state of success.
Three interesting facts about me are:
- I am vegan.
- I played soccer in high school.
- I was 32 years old when I first visited New York, NY.
Other organizations I’m involved in are:
- Participant at the 1st Annual Hip Hop Cultural Summit (Delaware Art Museum)
- Performer at Delaware Shakespeare’s The Tempest Poetry Slam (Christina Cultural Arts Center)
- Performer at Christina Cultural Arts Center’s Lift Ev’ry Voice: A Tribute to James Weldon Johnson
My proudest moment as a Wilmingtontonian is:
On May 25, 1993, I was featured with classmates in The News Journal (Yes, I still have a copy of the front page article, lol). That is definitely one of my proudest moments as a Wilmingtonian. What makes the experience even better is that I am now in a position to share an uplifting story that inspires students at CCAC. I truly wish for the same kind of success in our youth.”
Wilmington Favorites
Favorite Wilmington attraction/event and why:
“My favorite Wilmington attraction right now is Brandywine Park. When I’m in nature, I find time to be at peace and relax. I also like to visit the Downtown Farmers’ Market in Rodney Square and Green Box Kitchen. I enjoy shopping with vendors who have quality products that support my plant-based lifestyle.”
Best place to catch live music:
“Over the years, I have performed and attended several shows at The Queen. To this day, I still look forward to attending live shows there.”
On a typical day or night off, if I’m out in Wilmington, I go:
“When I’m not at work or in the studio, I spend time with my family and friends. I often suggest attending restaurants and/or events at The Riverfront Wilmington. The Peoples Festival is one of my favorite events! There is so much diversity with respect to music, culture, and food. I appreciate the experience every time! I’m also a basketball enthusiast, so I enjoy attending events like Duffy’s Hope Celebrity Basketball games!”
Ideal itinerary for a night out in Wilmington/weekend in Wilmington:
“I like to start my evenings off with a leisurely walk downtown. Then, my next stop is Makers Alley or Oath 84 for drinks and appetizers. After that, I’m ready for live music at Christina Cultural Arts Center or The Queen.”
Insight and Future Vision
What are you excited about that’s going on in Wilmington right now?
“I enjoy all art forms. With that being said, I love the Soul of the City Festival. Experiencing all of the fun activities and live performances is refreshing. Watching CCAC students and staff perform is also inspiring.
I also value education. Accordingly, I’m excited about the positive impact that HBCU Week has had on our youth. I always look forward to this full week of community and culture.”
How would you like to see our city grow in the next year, next 5-10 years?
“I’d like to see more health-conscious retail shops located downtown Wilmington, where respected authorities can provide important information about optimal health. I truly believe that better health (mental and physical) is a strong foundation for success.”
What advice would you like to give people living and working in Wilmington?
“Gratitude is at the top of my list. I encourage everyone to be patient and take time to embrace their present moment. For me, patience and thankfulness go hand in hand.”
