Splendid Spotlight: Meet Dia Parker from Athena’s Warehouse

Athena's Warehouse is a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty with a holistic wellness initiative called "Discover Your Inner Warrior.”

In this week’s Splendid Spotlight I spend some time getting to know Executive Director of Athena's Warehouse , Dia Parker, how it all began, and goals for the future.

Tell us a bit about Athena’s Warehouse and what you do:

“Athena’s Warehouse was founded in 2009. It began as a program that offered a free prom dress in exchange for a day of community service. After connecting with the young women they met through this program, the founders realized the great need that was in this community. This led to hosting weekly workshops beginning in 2012, focusing both on professional and personal skill development. Currently serving youth ages 15 to 25.”

How long you’ve been Executive Director and your favorite thing about your role?

“I’ve been Executive Director since 2019. I actually went through the program myself and attended the workshops when I was in high school. It was an unforgettable experience. One memory involved learning about yoga, outside of the context of an activity for wealthy, white women. Being in a space with other women of color, speaking about mental health, was such a unique and valuable experience.

One of the things I love most about my role is, by being a past participant of this program, it gives me a unique perspective on our program, services, what we’re doing and how our team can pivot to the needs of the women we serve.

Originally founded by current Georgia House Representative Bee Nguyen, the first Vietnamese-American woman to be elected to the Georgia General Assembly. 

I’ve always been interested and involved in politics. As a black woman, I feel you have to be, there is no other choice. Seeing Bee run for office was an amazing experience and I was fortunate enough to also serve as a legislative aide for her. Seeing her commitment to sisterhood and providing experiences for those who are often excluded was so powerful to me and I wanted to honor that legacy.”

I feel like your special sauce, that most executive directors of nonprofits don’t have, is that you came full circle. You understand what it’s like to be in the program and now also lead the program with your staff and train new people. What a unique opportunity and role you have!

Let’s fast forward to 5 years from now - What are you doing? What is Athena’s Warehouse doing? 

“I’d love to be able to provide or direct more young women in finding mental health support. There is currently no pipeline in place for teens to seek these services unless there has been a case of domestic violence. Due to most of these students being minors, we need to work on educating the parents who may be seeking support for their child. Building this trust and relationship with parents will be key in growing this portion of Athena’s Warehouse.

I would also love to have a physical space. We have been operating as a remote space, and then during Covid, a virtual space. This limits the kind of work we can do. Having a physical space would also allow us to host these women if they need temporary housing as well. Poverty can often bleed out into other areas of these women’s lives. Even if they are on the right track on paper, mental health can take its toll.”

I have great hope in GenZ as the generation that will normalize therapy. Creating that pathway and having availability to these resources is key. 

Switching gears, part of what I do and love is Social Fundraising, uncovering how to attract supporters online, converting supporters into volunteers and donors.

What has been a social campaign or movement you’ve experienced that really hit home with you?

“Last year we launched our Resiliency Campaign to share with our supporters and donors that we are still here, we didn’t close down, we didn’t take a single day off. It was a partial fundraiser, but mostly to tell our community that we are still here. We shared our services, who we serve and how we’ve changed as the community’s needs have changed.”

So what I’m hearing is that you branded your campaign, which is really important, and you let people peek in and see who you are and what you’re about.

What makes your job easier to achieve? 

“Having an amazing support system. Asking supporters HOW they are going to show up for Athena’s Warehouse. Taking those people who want to show up for young women, but aren’t sure how. Taking their talents and utilizing them. 

Pro tip: get a team you LOVE.”

OK, finish this sentence for me: More nonprofits should be______?

“Led by community members!”

“Led by the communities they serve. When I found out Athena’s Warehouse was not a national organization, that it was led by a woman of color who had an idea, and put her heart and soul into promoting it, I knew how unique it was. So many nonprofits are not run by the people who are receiving the services and also struggle to get community members in the seat of Executive Director, on the board, etc. Taking it beyond the one or two direct services you provide. Building that mentorship to create those leaders that you need for your organization for tomorrow.”

The fact that you’ve gone through the program and then went on to be Executive Director is such a unique journey, but it really shouldn’t be as surprising as it is! I love this about Athena’s Warehouse that you encourage women to go through your program then invite them to a seat at the table to get involved once they're ready.

Is there one thing you wish people knew about Athena’s Warehouse?

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“One thing I’d like people to know is that we are completely reliant on the community for a lot of our programming. We are not state-funded. We don’t get paid by the schools.

It’s really just the generosity of the heart and soul of anyone who values empowerment and the success of young women.

We bring in experts in our community for our workshops. We couldn’t do anything without the support of the community.”

Share with us about what’s next and how people can get involved:

“One of the main ways people can get involved is to become a mentor. We are opening up a virtual mentorship program this fall. People can sign up using TutorFly. On that platform they’ll be able to set their schedule, and contact their mentees directly through the platform. 

There will be 1:1 mentorship, guidance on the career path they took, hearing about their vocational experience. We’re always interested in bringing in people with unique careers to talk about their experience and journey. And we always need readers and editors for resumes and essays written by our students. Just follow the volunteer link on our website to get involved.”

That’s a wrap! Dia brought some major ah-ha moments for so many of us - myself included! Make sure you’re a part of my newsletter mailing list (join here) to receive reminders and updates on every week’s Splendid Spotlight, hosted every Wednesday at 12pm EST on my Instagram @SplendidConsulting