Demeatria Boccella: Comfortable in her skin
by Essence Davis
Obama Academy
Demeatria Boccella has experienced many different things, especially with the color of her skin. But she has looked at those experiences with a different perspective and used them as motivation to achieve her mission of making it in the fashion industry. Like her, I strive to be in the fashion industry as well. She has expressed being a beautiful Black woman through many unique ways, like dance, music and design. There are countless ways that I connect to her, but what really hits home is when she mentions not being comfortable with the skin she is in and at a point in time wanting to be lighter. Even I thought being the color I am wasn’t as attractive or beautiful as lighter skinned individuals; and it gave me low self-esteem. It wasn’t until I saw people my complexion being proud of their skin and being comfortable with their skin, that I became proud and comfortable of mine. This made me realize that beautiful comes in every color, no matter what color you are. I overcame the phase in my life and Demeatria did as well. I never knew you could have so much in common with a person that you never have come in contact with.
Demeatria is important to the story of Pittsburgh because she helps people be proud of who they are and encourages them to express their diversity through music, fashion and dance. She helps people understand their true beauty and to be proud of whom they are. She does this by hosting fashion events, such as FashionAFRICANA, which showcases different cultures. FashionAFRICANA was founded by Demeatrla Boccella and co-founded by Darnell McLaurin in 2001. FashionAFRICANA was held at the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Andy Warhol Museum, the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, the New Hazlett Theatre and the Kelly Strayhorn Theatre, just to name a few.
Not only does Demeatria have FashionAFRICANA, she has The Utopia Project, which includes pre-teen and teenage girls. The program teaches how art and fashion work hand-in-hand in the fashion industry through its inclusion of industry professionals. The Utopia Project has been presented at local schools, such as Westinghouse High School, The Ellis School, Schenley High School and CAPA. Demeatrla has done many things to be considered important to the story of Pittsburgh.
To me it is important to appreciate diversity because it gives you a different perspective on the people who are not only around you, but around the world. To me, I am able to go above the ignorance and prejudice. All over the world we are diverse people and to celebrate our differences unites and educates us. To celebrate diversity means to understand and accept different cultures. You accept diversity when you learn to tolerate ignorance and overcome challenges, and when you learn about different cultures, beliefs and religions. Accepting diversity means that it is okay to be different; and you shouldn’t be treated unfairly because of it, because after all, diversity makes the world go around.
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