NURTURING CREATIVITY IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL

THE VISION AND MISSION OF FUTURE ARTISTS OF DC

Photo by: Rex Nash @rexdnash

In the heart of Washington, D.C., where history and culture intertwine, there’s a quiet revolution taking place. It’s not happening in the corridors of power or the grand museums, but in community centers and workshops, where the next generation of artists is being nurtured. At the helm of this movement is Tazah Richardson, a plus-size model, pageant queen, and entrepreneur who has dedicated herself to creating opportunities for young artists in her hometown through her nonprofit organization, Future Artists of DC (F.A.D.).

The Birth of a Dream

For Tazah, F.A.D. is more than just a nonprofit; it’s the realization of a lifelong dream. "The Future Artists of DC, affectionately known as F.A.D., was on my bucket list for many years," she explains. Growing up in Columbia Heights Village, a neighborhood in Northwest D.C., Tazah was surrounded by music and the arts. "All my family was either a musician or a vocalist," she recalls. "Music and arts have always run through my blood." This passion led her to Duke Ellington School of the Arts and later to Norfolk State University, where she majored in music education.

But Tazah’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. Raised by a single teenage mother in an underserved community, she knew firsthand the obstacles that many young people face. Yet, it was the resources and programs she accessed during her school years—such as the marching band and the arts programs at Duke Ellington—that kept her from becoming another statistic. "I knew once I hit adulthood that the same resources I was privy to during junior high school, high school, and college were all resources that I needed to make available to the future artists in my community."

A Mission Rooted in Empowerment

The mission of F.A.D. is clear and powerful: to provide young artists in D.C. with the resources and knowledge they need to market and monetize their artistic abilities. "Too many young artists are truly talented but have no idea how to market themselves," Tazah explains. "Or how to manage money to create wealth and to be able to make their passion their profession."

Tazah’s experience as a plus-size model has also played a significant role in shaping F.A.D. "When I started my career as a model, I knew I wanted to use all of my resources and network to create an avenue for teens to learn and perfect their craft," she says. This desire to give back, coupled with the platform she gained through modeling and pageantry, ultimately led to the creation of F.A.D.

Programs and Initiatives: Crafting a Future

F.A.D. offers a range of programs designed to support and empower young artists. These include mentorship opportunities, access to materials, and workshops in financial literacy—an essential skill for anyone looking to turn their passion into a career. "We’ve offered photography workshops, and we’re now offering AI workshops for all of our digital creators," Tazah shares. "We’re working on providing master classes in multiple disciplines of artistic expression with mentors who are currently working in the business."

Mentorship is a cornerstone of F.A.D.’s approach. Tazah carefully selects mentors based on their interest and expertise, ensuring that each teen receives guidance tailored to their unique talents and goals. "We’re still a baby nonprofit, and we’re still trying to get the information out to the masses that our nonprofit exists," she says. But with her background in recruiting for Best Buy corporate, Tazah is well-equipped to find the right people to help her young artists thrive.

Impact and Success: A Bright Future Ahead

While F.A.D. is still in its infancy, it’s already making a significant impact. One of the organization’s recent successes was a visit to Microsoft’s corporate headquarters in Northern Virginia. "We were able to raise funds to pay for summer programming for five young teens at the Boys and Girls Club on Mississippi Ave. SE," Tazah explains. During their visit, the teens learned how to use AI to market a business, create logos, and even use virtual reality to create digital art. "The look on their faces was priceless," Tazah says with pride.

Although it’s too early to measure the full impact of F.A.D.’s initiatives, the organization is growing rapidly, and the interest in its programs is increasing. One of Tazah’s most memorable moments was during a Black History Month art supply drive, where F.A.D. collected and distributed art supplies to teens at the Teen Tech Center. "They were all surprised that someone with no ties to them directly would be that invested in providing resources and materials for them to explore their passion in the arts," she recalls.

Challenges and Growth: Building a Legacy

Running a nonprofit organization is no small feat, especially when it’s a one-woman show. "Some of the biggest challenges F.A.D. has faced since its inception is not having enough support to get it off the ground and running smoothly," Tazah admits. Balancing her 9-to-5 job, modeling career, pageantry, and her business, IssA LooK, while also running F.A.D., has been a daunting task. "I’m currently building a team because juggling everything is quite challenging," she says.

Despite the challenges, Tazah is committed to expanding F.A.D. and envisions it growing into a national organization. "My intention is to expand this organization to different major cities all across the nation," she says. "Hopefully one day there will be a Future Artists of New York, Future Artists of LA, a Future Artists of Atlanta, and so on."

A Personal Connection and Vision: Giving Back

For Tazah, the work she’s doing with F.A.D. is deeply personal. "I grew up in Columbia Heights Village in NW DC, which is essentially 'the hood,'" she shares. "I grew up in a single-parent home to a teenage mother. In an environment that should have shaped me in a different way." But thanks to the support of her family, mentors, teachers, and coaches, Tazah was able to rise above her circumstances and become the woman she is today. "None of these titles would have been possible without those programs and influences. So I’m personally invested in this work."

Tazah’s guiding principle is simple yet profound: to leave the world better than she found it. "I can’t end world hunger. I don’t have the cure to cancer," she says. "But what I do know is what an influence the arts have on a young creative mind and what it can do to instill discipline, courage, and creativity in our youth."

Artistic Development: A Path to Success

At the core of F.A.D.’s mission is the belief that every young artist deserves the opportunity to develop their talents and turn their passion into a profession. Tazah encourages her teens to have a voice, to express their opinions, and to present their ideas to the world through their art. "Tell me how you feel. Someone else will be encouraged and inspired by your art. Change the world through your voice," she urges.

Mentorship plays a crucial role in this process. "Mentorship is something that everyone should have," Tazah says. "Teenagers and adults alike can use a mentor. You never stop learning." But for many young artists, access to the necessary resources is a significant hurdle. That’s why F.A.D. hosts an annual art supply drive to ensure that teens have the materials they need to perfect their craft.

Future Plans and Aspirations: A Vision for Tomorrow

Looking ahead, Tazah has ambitious plans for F.A.D. She hopes to expand the organization, host an annual art gala to raise funds, and continue providing scholarships to talented young artists. "I’m really excited about providing our first scholarship to The House of Distinction Dance team," she shares. "Being able to issue our first annual dance scholarship is definitely a highlight for us this year."

Tazah’s ultimate goal is to create a new breed of artists in D.C. who are not only talented but also financially literate and equipped to turn their passions into successful careers. "Imagine if artists were just as proficient at being financially literate as they were at creating a reel on Instagram or a TikTok," she muses. "We’d have so many more millionaires and less disenfranchised communities."

Final Thoughts: Words of Wisdom

As she continues to build and grow F.A.D., Tazah offers this advice to young aspiring artists: "Stay consistent. Stay hungry for knowledge. Don’t let anything stifle your creativity, and last but not least, learn the art of financial literacy. That will help catapult your career in ways that you never thought possible."

In Tazah Richardson, D.C. has a tireless advocate for its future artists, someone who is committed to ensuring that the city’s young creatives have the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed. With F.A.D., she’s not just building a nonprofit—she’s building a legacy.

Photo by Tonya Caver @_lyric._

QSM: Tazah, you've mentioned that your upbringing in Columbia Heights Village and being raised by a single mother deeply influenced your path. How did those early experiences shape your determination to create opportunities for young artists through F.A.D.?

Tazah: Growing up in CHV (that’s what we call it) with a single teen mother in the 90’s during the height of the Crack epidemic exposed me to the good, the bad, the ugly and the unimaginable. My father was in and out of jail most of my childhood and I later lost him to gun violence in 2002, while I was in the 11th grade. I watched so many of the kids my age living under the very same circumstances fall victim to our environment, but the difference between myself and them was the access to music arts programs throughout Jr. High and High School. I was able to see people that looked like me lead successful careers in the arts and they didn’t have to sacrifice their passion, integrity or their lives. I was exposed to different cultures and an array of different ways to express myself creatively. This is the experience that I aim to provide to our youth here in DC. Who knows who I would be or where I would be if I didn’t have those influences in my life. These types of programs should be prevalent in all of our neighborhoods and schools.

Photo by: Rex Nash @rexdnash

QSM: Balancing a modeling career, a nonprofit, fulfilling your duties as a National Queen, working a 9-5 and your other ventures sounds incredibly demanding. How do you manage your time amidst such a hectic schedule?

Tazah: I am still a work in progress, believe me. To manage all of these obligations I have to keep a tight calendar and protect my time. I do a lot of planning at least 2 months in advance to ensure that I don’t overbook myself and that I have adequate time to show up as my authentic self and execute at a high level. I’m not signed to an agency, so I have to manage my bookings, I am a makeup artist so I have to stay up on new makeup trends, I am a business owner so I have to market myself and manage my brand, I’m a pageant Queen so I have to be punctual and beautiful at all of my appearances and I manage a non-profit so I have to be accessible to effectively manage relationships of vendor partners and sponsors. It sounds like a lot, and it is but if you are really intentional with where and how you spend your time, keep a tight calendar and maintain consistent communication with your network, it is all completely manageable.

QSM: You’ve spoken about the importance of financial literacy for young artists. Can you share a moment or a lesson in your life where understanding financial management made a significant difference?

Tazah: Financial literacy was never anything that was talked about in detail in my household or at school for that matter. I can’t speak to a time when my knowledge of financial literacy worked in my favor. I can only speak to the times when my lack of that knowledge created a learning opportunity for me, which is why I fully understand the importance of comprehending money and how it moves. I have had college debt, IRS debt, medical debt, other people’s debt and I am still dealing with it. If I had someone telling me how important understanding these concepts was at a younger age, I would probably be in a much better financial situation today. I am currently working towards financial freedom, and I am bringing these young people along for the ride with me so that they don’t have to face the challenges that currently face.

Photo by: Rex Nash @rexdnash

QSM: The arts have a way of touching lives on a very deep level. Have there been any specific stories or moments from your work with F.A.D. that have profoundly impacted you personally?

Tazah: When I hosted my first Holiday Arts Supply Drive, it was held in Columbia Heights Village social room. All the kids in my neighborhood were invited to enjoy cookies & hot cocoa, participate in arts projects and take-home arts supplies donated by the community. One of the older tenants brought down her granddaughter to enjoy the festivities and she pulled me to the side with tears in her eyes and said “I watched you grow up from a little girl to a beautiful young woman. You have always been respectful, and I have always told your mother that you were meant for great things and here you are, a Beauty Queen giving back to your community. I am so proud of you. Please keep doing what you are doing, our children need you”. Her words gave me chills. I knew at that moment that I was walking in my purpose and that I couldn’t stray from it.

QSM: Starting a nonprofit can be a vulnerable journey. What have been some of the most challenging moments in building F.A.D., and how have those experiences shaped your vision for the organization?

Tazah: I have always found it difficult to ask for anything. I will try forever to get it done on my own before asking for help. I will struggle in silence before I ask for help and running a non-profit is literally constantly asking for help. It is definitely an uphill battle for me. Maybe it’s the fact that I was born to a single mother, and I watched her do everything for me and herself on her own. I watched her suffer and triumph alone and it is the example that I grew up immolating. I also feel uncomfortable documenting my good deeds. It makes me feel like I am exploiting the youth that I am trying to serve but in my career at Best Buy, I have learned that documenting what I am doing in my community will ultimately help me gain more support for my cause. The last thing I ever want to do is make the youth that we serve feel like a photo op or charity case. They may be in need of resources, but they are still prideful and should be treated with dignity.

QSM: As you work towards expanding F.A.D. to other cities, what are your biggest fears or concerns? How do you plan to address them as you scale the organization?

Tazah: I don’t really have any fears or concerns about expanding the program. I will maneuver according to God’s plan because I know that God is moving through me to do the work that I am doing. What is for me and my non-profit will be for me and my non-profit. When it’s time to make that move, I will be prepared for it.

Photo by: Rex Nash @rexdnash

 QSM: You’ve shared so much about your professional life and your dedication to F.A.D. What does self-care look like for you? And how often do take that time for you?

Tazah: I enjoy alone time. Lighting candles and taking a long bath is my go-to escape. I turn on my Prince station on Pandora (yes, I listen to Pandora, judge your mother lol), log out of social media, turn my phone on don’t disturb and I soak for an hour or so. I get massages at least once a month (shout out to my masseuse @TouchOfTheAlchemist on IG) for keeping me stress free. A healthy sex life is also a part of my self-care routine, shout out to my boyfriend (not going to @ him lol).

QSM: Hi-Five on that last one!!!! (lol) Finally, with everything you've accomplished and all the roles you play, what is one thing you wish people understood about your journey and the sacrifices you've made along the way?

Tazah: You are NOT your circumstances. I am a 40-year-old, unmarried, fat black woman from the hood, with no children and no college degree. According to society standards I should be disregarded, living in poverty and taking advantage of government assistance, but that is NOT my story. I have my good days and my bad days just like everyone else, but I am successful and thriving in all of my endeavors. I am experiencing new love in my 40’s, I’m starting new business ventures, I am passionate about my dreams and making them reality. Just because life is hard, and the cards are stacked against you doesn’t mean that you have to lay down and just take it. I fight everyday for the life that I lead and it’s not easy, but it is obtainable.

QSM: What are some ways that people can support the mission of Future Artists of DC, whether they are local to the area or across the country?

Tazah: You can volunteer as a mentor for upcoming workshops by emailing F.A.D.givesback@gmail.com. You can make donations to the CashApp at $FADGivesback or you can contact me directly via email or on IG @thefutureartistofdc if you would like to volunteer as a helper at any of our events or workshops. If you are a corporation, small business or individual contributor that is interested in being a sponsor or vendor partner, please contact me via email.

Creative design, Hair and MUA credits: Tazah Richardson @tazah_themodel