Meet Valeasia Walker | Lead Grower

We had the good fortune of connecting with Valeasia Walker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valeasia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind creating Urban Design Outreach was deeply rooted in my passion for community engagement, strategic design, and creative problem-solving. I recognized a need to provide high-quality design and print services that not only help small businesses, non-profits, and local government agencies elevate their brands but also foster meaningful community connections.

Rather than operating from a fixed location, I’ve built Urban Design Outreach around collaboration and mobility, partnering with businesses and organizations to host events that bring traffic to their spaces and amplify their missions. Whether through pop-up workshops, networking events, or brand activation campaigns, I focus on creating experiences that provide value to both the host and the attendees, driving engagement and visibility for all involved.

Another key factor in my thought process was sustainability. With businesses and consumers becoming more environmentally conscious, I wanted to integrate eco-friendly printing practices, using recycled materials and energy-efficient processes to align with organizations that prioritize sustainability.

Ultimately, Urban Design Outreach is about more than just printing and design—it’s about building connections. By combining creativity, strategy, and collaboration, I help businesses and organizations tell their stories, strengthen their presence, and create a lasting impact in the communities they serve.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is rooted in community, culture, and transformation. It’s about taking the everyday—whether objects, spaces, or ideas—and reimagining them into something new, meaningful, and powerful. At the core of my work is the belief that art is a tool for preservation, education, and empowerment—a way to tell stories, strengthen connections, and create tangible change.
One of my proudest projects is Give Sanctuary Festival, a cultural preservation event designed to bring communities together to celebrate the past, present, and future through creative expression. The festival is built on the idea of community members offering their skills, talents, and resources to build a collective experience—whether through music, art, storytelling, or craftsmanship.
Another initiative I’m passionate about is MODLAB (Made Over Design Lab), which focuses on reusing and reimagining the things we already have. This workshop series empowers individuals and businesses to update, recycle, and improve their wardrobe, décor, and property in creative and sustainable ways. Through hands-on learning, people not only gain practical skills but also see the potential in repurposing rather than discarding.
In addition to these projects, I serve as Creative Director of two artist collectives: The Dropouts and The Spottie Ottie Dopaliscious Angels. These collectives foster artistic collaboration, challenge conventional narratives, and provide platforms for emerging and established artists to showcase their work. My art has been featured at The Tubman Museum in Macon, GA, Zucot Gallery in Atlanta, and the Avondale Arts Center in Avondale Estates, spaces that celebrate creativity and cultural storytelling.
The Journey and Challenges
Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. Like many artists and entrepreneurs, I faced challenges related to resources, visibility, and sustainability. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that community is everything. When you build authentic relationships and align your work with a purpose, the right opportunities, partnerships, and support networks emerge.
I’ve had to be adaptable—whether it’s finding alternative spaces for events, shifting to digital platforms, or experimenting with new ways to engage audiences. Overcoming obstacles required a mix of resilience, collaboration, and an openness to learning. I now embrace the idea that every challenge is an opportunity to innovate.
What I Want the World to Know
Urban Design Outreach is more than a brand—it’s a movement. The acronym U.D.O. reflects my philosophy of action: “You Do.” I want people to feel empowered to take part in shaping their communities, culture, and creative futures. Through my work, I aim to show that everyone has something valuable to contribute, and when we come together with intention and purpose, we create something real, something lasting.
Ultimately, my art is about transformation—of materials, spaces, and people. Whether through Give Sanctuary, MODLAB, or artist collaborations, my goal is to leave a lasting impact by turning creativity into community-building and making art a vehicle for empowerment and change.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting, I’d make sure they experienced the **culture, creativity, and community** that make this area special.

We’d start with **Black Dot Cultural Center**, a Black-owned bookstore and coffee shop perfect for warm drinks and deep conversation. Then, we’d wander through the **garden and artwork at Black Art in America**, a peaceful blend of nature, culture, and history.

I *shouldn’t* be telling you this, but we’d end the night at **Anansi Cocktail Lounge**, a hidden gem with beautifully crafted drinks and the perfect ambiance—*but keep it a secret!*

Other must-sees? **Avondale Arts Center** to explore exhibitions and meet local artists, **ZuCot Gallery** for an incredible collection of Black contemporary art, and **The High Museum** for one last artistic deep dive.

Before heading out, we’d reflect over tea at **Just Add Honey**, leaving spiritually, culturally, and creatively fulfilled.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The foundation of Urban Design Outreach is community. The name itself is intentional, and the acronym U.D.O. reflects my core belief in action and participation—I love to play with the phrase “you do” as a call to empower people to get involved, create, and build together. My success is not just my own; it’s rooted in the support, collaboration, and encouragement of those around me.

I want to dedicate my shoutout to the incredible network of small businesses, non-profits, and community leaders in DeKalb County who have embraced my vision and helped make Urban Design Outreach a reality. Their willingness to partner, share their spaces, and engage in creative initiatives has been invaluable. Specifically, I want to recognize businesses like Black Dot Cultural Center, Opulence XVI Ltd. and Pittsburgh Community Market in Atlanta.

Additionally, I have to recognize mentors Valorie Davis (my mother) and Sand Hook Oei who have encouraged me along the way—whether through business advice, creative inspiration, or simply reminding me that I’m on the right path. Their support fuels my drive to keep pushing forward and finding new ways to serve the community.

Urban Design Outreach is about collaboration, and I believe in lifting others as I climb. My journey is a reflection of the people and organizations who have poured into me, and my goal is to continue that cycle—creating opportunities for others to connect, grow, and thrive.

Website: https://www.UrbanDesignOutreach.com

Instagram: https://versed.well

Linkedin: Valeasia Walker

Youtube: @urbandesignoutreach723

Image Credits
John Stephens; Nina LaRose; Klaye Foster; Valeasia Walker