Hi! My name is Asia Bender, and I’m a Ph.D. student in Arts Administration, Education, and Policy at The Ohio State University, specializing in Cultural Policy and Management. As someone who’s new to Columbus, I was intentional about finding a summer internship that would not only offer professional growth but also help me build meaningful relationships. That’s what brought me to Zora’s House. When you move to a new city, you crave a sense of belonging. I believe Zora’s House is exactly where I need to be to find that connection.

Zora’s House (ZH) is a nonprofit coworking and community space intentionally built by and for women and gender expansive people of color. (And yes—for those wondering—it’s named after the brilliant Zora Neale Hurston. My favorite is Mules and Men.) https://zorashouse.com

This first week was all about onboarding and learning what makes Zora’s House such a dynamic and vital space. From mentorship and entrepreneurship to financial literacy, leadership development, and community events, Zora’s House offers a robust range of programs and resources. To better understand the organization, I’m meeting with each staff member to learn about their roles and responsibilities. It’s essential to see the inner workings of how a space like this thrives and what it takes to lead it.

One of my key projects this summer is designing a program impact assessment. I’ve started engaging with ZH members to hear directly from them what the programs mean to them, what keeps them coming back, and how Zora’s House supports their personal and professional growth. Understanding and documenting this kind of impact is essential, not just for internal reflection and improvement, but also for telling Zora’s House’s story to funders, partners, and future supporters.

I’m genuinely excited for the journey ahead. I know the work will be challenging, but I also know it will be deeply rewarding.

Until next time,
Asia