We recently connected with Stefani Davila and have shared our conversation below.
Stefani, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
My small business is related to photography and art to raise funds to support Meraki Youth and Jovenes Contra El Cancer initiatives. In 2019 I founded Meraki Youth to support local and global communities. Therefore, in 2021 I founded the FJCC International Volunteer Mission Trip, intending to raise cancer awareness and bring a community together to help those in need in Ecuador. Through my work with photography and art, I have raised more than $1200 for this project and Meraki Youth items for local community events.
Since the first two editions of the program were a success, for this upcoming 3rd Edition during the summer which I am co-organizing with Victor Sandoval and Carlen Arevalo, the goal is to raise more than $5,000, ten tablets for children with cancer that need it for educational purposes, and as an initiative have a wish list for special patients that are under extreme need. Therefore, my small business initiatives through photography and art will help support this program and create awareness about cancer.
Lastly, as a storyteller, as I continue building the base of my small business, photography has been essential in portraying many life experiences and situations of the world through my eyes.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am originally from Quito, Ecuador, and I came to the U.S. almost seven years ago. I am a junior majoring in Business of Creative Enterprises at Emerson College. As the founder of Meraki Youth Organization in Miami, Florida, dedicated to community service, acts of kindness, and climate justice, I work side by side with the fantastic board that supports Meraki’s mission.
Since childhood, I have always loved to capture moments with my camera with my family or by myself. Photography was something that helped me undergo my first years in a new country, with a different lifestyle and away from home. Also, in connection to photography, storytelling became part of my daily life. I understood that expressing feelings with just one image was enough, but sharing my thoughts about my experiences and how I view life could inspire others. In 2019, I started taking photography as a way to raise money and be able to afford certain things for my family and myself.
Although it is not a registered business and is still a hobby in becoming a small business, I have a passion for what I do.
Throughout these years, I have been a photographer for organizations like Jovenes Contra El Cancer, Florida Immigrant Coalition, and United We Dream. With a mission of sharing the stories of many people affected by immigration policies and health concerns related to cancer.
Therefore, as I followed my passion for photography, I could support people and use my talent to create change.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being creative is seeing how your work can help others. My photography makes people smile, connect, mourn, heal, travel back to the past, or think about the future. In terms of the art I create, it makes anyone feel connected to the abstract views of how I interpret life. Overall, seeing and understanding how my art impacts others’ life and how their reactions, comments, and experiences impact mine.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
As I mentioned before, my particular mission is to create a change with my photography and art. Being able to raise funds while doing what I love is incredible. Raising funds for a cause that is dearest to my heart which is supporting Jovenes Contra El Cancer Foundation, is something I must keep doing. Just for anyone to understand why this is my mission: In 2006, my brother Alex Davila died from cancer. However, he left a legacy of community organizing and activism. After being diagnosed with cancer at 15 and fighting the disease for over a year, he was the driving force in creating Fundación Jóvenes contra el Cáncer to support youth and families in Ecuador affected by this unforgivable disease. Therefore, I want to invite anyone to support our fundraising initiatives and if there are any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jovenescontraelcancer.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_merakiyouth_/ https://instagram.com/stefphoto.art?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/jovenescontraelcancer/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefani-davila-290495215/
- Other: https://instagram.com/stefphoto.art?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=
https://merakiyouthorg.wixsite.com/meraki-youth
https://linktr.ee/MerakiYouth