DeAnna Shores

“My introduction to the west end came probably over 20 Or not probably it was over 25 years ago. And I know that because my son brought him home from the hospital here. We thought this was a good place to call home. And so we settled in. Matter of fact, I remember, most of my memories are around him being born. And just that whole experience that we had while we were there.

I have fond memories of really getting to know the community by walking around with my son.

The West End represents to me such a time an opportunity to transform yourself to be reborn and also be rooted in something that is historical and meaningful. And it's exciting and it's been exciting.

I think that there is strength in the notion of culture, being proud to be a part of something bigger than yourself. I would really say that it is easy to get lost in the things that are challenging us that we're seeing every day. And not just in the West. And we're seeing it all over. But I think the resilience, right of the West End is being rooted in that history in that culture and that, that sense of pride.”