Security Check:
Hi, I’m Ashley, and I’m a Community Development Consultant, currently working at Wanderlust in Hollywood, CA, while also helping the folks at Breakout.

What’s your historical Los Angeles and New York connection?
Up until 6 months ago, NYC was everything to me. My world and my identity were very much intertwined within the island. After a near death experience, I decided there was more to see and made my way west. So far, so good. Describe your experience in LA and your experience in NYC NY and LA are the yin and yang for me. I need both – the masculine intensity of NY and the calming femininity of LA. NY pushes me to achieve greatness and LA accepts the new things I want to test out on my life.

What was the biggest challenge of moving from LA to NYC?
No longer being defined and having the opportunity to start that process over again. A lot of loneliness came with my move which taught me a lot about myself.

How can NYC and LA best engage with each other?
In my mind, they’re so different there shouldn’t be competition among the two. How someone could possibly compare them is confusing to me. Collaborative conversations among the creatives would be a good place to start.

Favorite LA secret spot:
RVCC & the motorcycle shop down the street that we occasionally paint in.

Favorite NY secret spot:
Mezzrow Jazz Club.

If you weren’t building what you were now, what would you be doing or building?
Singing in a cafe in Europe!

Inflight Entertainment: What song/album/podcast/show have you been engaged with lately?
Malecka – Corsica