Celebrating Local Black Heroes: Sydney Davis
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan is proud to celebrate Local Black Heroes throughout the year. During Black History Month, we are highlighting several Local Black Heroes and businesses. Sign up for our e.news to get updates in your inbox and learn more about the impact of local heroes in your community.
Sydney Davis is the Executive Director of Black Arts & Cultural Center and founder of NixCode, a no-code app development software company. She gives back to the community through her willingness to share her time with those in need. She explains, “Donating and gifting are great ways to give back, but time is scarce for those who need help. I’m happy to give my time.”
REMOVE LIMITING BELIEFS
Davis believes that anything is possible. She shares, “There’s nothing that can NOT be done if you do the work, apply yourself and be resourceful. Let go of superficial goals and thoughts of success, stay grounded in impactful work.”
Davis has done exactly this. Her app, NixCode, allows app-creators who are not coders to launch their idea into the world. By providing app-creation access for non-technical business owners, Davis has grounded herself in impactful work by creating equitable tech opportunities for all.
Davis was named one of the 30 Influential Women Advancing Artificial Intelligence in 2020.
MENTORING
Davis recounts Monique Wells, her first supervisor after college, as a pivotal mentor in her life. Wells taught Davis about the importance of “genuine connections through dependability and consistency.”
Wells also encouraged her “not to focus on superficial goals, but work that has an impact on people.”
COMPLETING TASKS AS SELF-CARE
For Davis, self-care looks like resting and catching up on responsibilities. She says that things left undone carry a heavy burden and that when you finish them, it lifts a load off of you.
She goes on to share, “I also care for myself with rest and things or experiences that boost my self-esteem such as flowers or traveling.”
WHY WORRY ABOUT A LEGACY?
Davis admits that she recently found herself curious about why people might care to leave a legacy. She explains, “I don’t desire the credit or acknowledgment of a legacy, nor care what people think … I do hope that before I leave I can create a space for Black artists and entrepreneurs to have a dedicated space, the tools, and resources to help them propel and achieve their goals by removing barriers to access … I hope the work sustains.”
Regarding her entrepreneurship, she shares, “My goal is to go public or get my company acquired and use a portion of my funds to invest. I hope to circulate a few million dollars investing in the economy for the benefit of Blacks in Kalamazoo. Perhaps that too could be my ‘legacy.’“
