Meet Rustbelt/Crossroads Blogger De Nichols

De Andrea Nichols is a communications designer, consultant, and social venturist dedicated to the development of creative social change initiatives within youth communities. A 2011 CAT Institute graduate, she holds a BFA in Communication Design from the Sam Fox School of Design and Art at Washington University in St. Louis and was awarded a 2011 Ideas that Matters grant from the Sappi Foundation for social project, Common Hoops, which uses industrial design and the sport of basketball to cultivate youth economy in impoverished, rural Alabama. Currently, Nichols thrives as a management training fellow at L&J Associates, Inc. in Memphis, TN, as she and professional partners develop The Creative Catalysts Consulting (C3) Group to further innovate campaigns and ventures within underserved communities. Nichols shares her journey with young creative social agents through her blog, The Catalyst Paradigm at www.blog.deandrean.com, and can be contacted via Twitter @de_nichols or email deandrean@gmail.com.

De will be blogging here about her experiences, ideas and perceptions about Rustbelt to Artist Belt : At the Crossroads – St. Louis.