We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Candice Bledsoe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Candice, what is the most important factor behind your success?
My hard work ethic, creativity and innovation are the most important factors behind my success. These components are very much a part of who I am. As someone who examines gaps within education, I look for new innovative solutions to address problems that underrepresented students face. My creativity and hard work ethic help me to produce different, fresh, and new strategies to support women and students of color.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The Action Research Center serves the needs of others by conducting action research in schools, communities, and non profit organizations. The center promotes personal development, academic excellence, and social change. Our innovative programs equip students, parents, teachers, and community leaders with the knowledge and skills to become change agents. In fact, 99% of CEYS students graduate with a HS diploma, and 90% CEYS students enroll in college. Please, review the Action Research Center Report Card to learn more about our successful programs. Our mission is to provide stakeholders with access to information to enhance equity in our communities. Our programs encourage student and community leadership development. We envision all stakeholders serving as change agents in their communities.

The Action Research Center also leads the Collective. The Collective is a group comprised of artists, singers, activists, writers, scholars, and academics. We share the stories of minoritized women in America. We aim to lift up and create space for women of color to share their voices, especially as it relates to the intersection of race, gender, and class. Our vision is to create strong communities of color whose inherent value and dignity is experienced in all aspects of society. As the drum majors of justice, we bear witness. We carry our sisters’ stories with us and in us, giving birth to our shared truth. Please, make considering making a donation to support our programs here: https://paypal.me/actionresearchcenter.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dallas/Ft. Worth has so much to offer and I truly love the community. The first part of our week would consist of museum visits. First, we would visit the Juanita Craft Civil Rights House & Museum, African American Museum at Fair Park, The Latino Cultural Center, The Amon Carter, the Modern Museum of Ft. Worth, and the Lenora Rolla Heritage Center Museum. We would also support local theatre in person or through streaming for the Soul Rep Theatre, Bishop Arts Center, AT&T Elevator Project, and Kitchen Dog Theatre. Finally, we would visit the following restaurants or food spots: SoulGood, Flora Street Cafe, Blackjack Pizza, The Knife, Black Coffee of Ft.Worth. Kookie Haven, The Sausage Shoppe, and Snappy’s Catfish.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my grandmothers, the late Rebecca Bell and Johnnie Mae Lucas. Both of my grandmothers are no longer with me today. Johnnie Mae Lucas, who we called M’Dear, passed away a few years ago at the age of 98. As an educator, she taught me about the power of storytelling. Our stories have power and it is so important that we serve as truth-tellers. Rebecca Bell, who was also a First Lady, shared her creativity through fashion and interior design. She had a special ability to create beautiful masterpieces that inspired so many people. It also made her a vital member of the community.

Website: www.cuttingedgeyouthsummit.com
Instagram: @CandiceBledsoe
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcandicebledsoe/
Twitter: @DoctorBledsoe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ActionResearchCenter
Youtube: @CandiceBledsoe

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.