DOGWALKING IN TOWSON

How I Got Here: How April Danielle Lewis supports the tinkerers on Piscataway land

She never anticipated that her dog-walking experience would pave the way for her role as the director of community and culture of Baltimore's largest maker community.

By: Alanah Nichole Davis & Sameer Rao, techincal.ly

APRIL DANIELLE LEWIS.(COURTESY PHOTO)

For this artist and self-proclaimed community cultivator, working at the intersection of art and technology came about when having access to materials and tools was limited. She started working with Baltimore’s largest community of maker professionals when she needed access to a CNC router. That opened new possibilities for this mother, volunteer and friend to many in Baltimore.

April Danielle Lewis, the director of community and culture at Open Works, entered the maker movement with little prior knowledge. Despite always making things throughout her life, she never identified herself as a “maker.” It was during her time at Open Works that she realized many creators — particularly those from marginalized backgrounds — also didn’t associate themselves with the maker movement. This revelation led Lewis to acknowledge the exclusivity prevalent in traditional makerspaces.

Motivated by the lack of intentional equity and inclusion, Lewis found inspiration in Open Works.

“There are far fewer FINISH READING HERE

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