#PeopleofNEI: Ally, building a unified Fort Wayne

Stephen J. Bailey | Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Northeast Indiana is evolving. These are the people shaping its future. #PeopleofNEI

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Ally was born and raised in Fort Wayne. She talks about why she is choosing to stay and what Fort Wayne means to her. “I am 23 and this is a growing period for me. Like most people my age, I’m trying to figure out who I am and where I’m going. My inspiration to stay here is because of the people that I see around me. I love seeing people taking charge and doing things. I want to be a part of that. As a black woman, I feel like I have to be aware of how I say things, how I look, how I approach people, and what I talk about because of the color of my skin. I often feel pressure to appear happy, smiling, and not show any attitude. I feel sometimes like I can’t quite be myself or be too raw, because as a black woman, I might offend someone. My biggest hope is for people of different races to come together not just for the purpose of celebrating our differences but simply as a city uniting. I get so happy when I see people of different colors and backgrounds coming together in everyday life and situations. I love seeing crowds and places that are evenly mixed with different people naturally. I get excited when I see people from different backgrounds talking to each other and connecting instead of stereotyping each other. Talking to people without being guarded is important to me and I love being part of progression in this city. Fort Wayne is doing incredible things from the Fort Wayne Zoo to the festivals to Promenade Park to the new downtown scooters. All of this movement forward is so big. Fort Wayne has realized our potential and now we are stepping up our game. I want to see this city continue to come together in big ways. That is why I am staying.” #PeopleofNEI

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Read more articles by Stephen J. Bailey.

Stephen J. Bailey is a Fort Wayne native and the owner of PH Digital that was founded in 2006. Based out of the Anthony Wayne Building in downtown Fort Wayne, he specializes in web development, SEO development, social media management, and digital marketing campaigns with numerous companies in northeast Indiana. Stephen loves road trips, sushi, his pups, and spending time on our three rivers.

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#PeopleofNEI, Arts and Culture, Community Development, Community Engagement, Creative Placemaking, Emerging Leaders, Emerging Leaders, Emerging Neighborhoods, Government / Non-profit, Healthy Communities, Lifestyle, Main Street, Neighborhoods, Profiles, Quality of Life, Regional Communities, Regional Communities, Rural Living, Talent, Talent Attraction, Talent Development 
Downtown (46802), Dupont (46825), Fort Wayne, Georgetown (46815), South East (46803, 46806), Southwest (46804, 46814), The 05 (46805), The 07 (46807), Waynedale, Wells Street/Nebraska 

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