The discovery of art changed Daisha Board’s life forever

After her corporate job in America didn’t go as well as she expected, Daisha Board started looking for something that could help her. help put food on the table.

What the Council discovered was art. And he became the oasis that forever changed her life.

“I started making art in 2016,” Board told Mavs.com. “I got fired from my corporate job and really needed an outlet to do what I’m really passionate about.

“My family collects art. I’m from New York – Queens. Culture is under your feet, which is why I was really looking for it here in Dallas.”

Consider the search a resounding success.

Board has created the Daisha Board Gallery, located in West Dallas, which incorporates art with a twist. Her clients come from all walks of life, especially those who have never done art before.

“I love the fact that my collectors are black families buying art for the first time and thinking about how they are going to create a legacy for themselves and wealth for their generations,” Bord said. “So, it was very good. I can’t complain.”

Board can’t complain because she is also one of four finalists competing for the top prize in the Mavs Business Assist (MBA) program. She also can’t complain because she not only has regular clients buying her art, but also Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell. added to his collection by purchasing some of Borda’s valuable works of art.

“(Board) has a great gallery,” Powell said. “She has the opportunity to reach out to an artistic community that sometimes goes unnoticed.

“She is very open to anyone who is interested or who wants to express themselves. This is something I can definitely fall behind. This is a beautiful gallery.”

An art enthusiast, Powell bought a piece of art expressing love.

“It’s pretty ambiguous in terms of the characters that are in it, and that’s the way it should be,” he said. “This is not meant for interrogation.

“It just needs to be taken as a picture of love and helps you find ways to love each other and accept the ways that others love. I think it’s a beautiful message and it’s a beautiful thing.”

As an adult, Bord now realizes that she was surrounded by art almost everywhere she turned.

“We have a great collection that I inherited from my grandmother,” Bord said. “She was a Harlem legend. At the time, I didn’t really appreciate it. But as an adult and seeing value in more than just buying things you love and presenting art that reminds me of my children and my grandparents, that legacy is important to me now.

“I love the fact that we are starting to build amazing collections in minority communities that have capital. They just needed resource. They needed accessibility and a place where they felt safe.”

However, getting this seat for the Board was not easy. Especially since art — and African-American art buying — are usually unrelated.

“And that was one of my concerns when I approached these banks for the financing and loans they gave me,” the Council said. “They thought that I, as a black woman, would only sell art to black people and that would limit me. But my space is open to everyone.

“Art should be for everyone, but I focus on these marginalized communities because they are ignored, undervalued and underestimated. But we have huge economic power and I love the fact that they are investing with me.”

The Mavs also invested heavily in the Board, as she and three other finalists received $10,000 each during a ceremony held last Monday at Pegasus Park. The final four entrepreneurs were supposed to receive $5,000 each, but S2 Capital doubled the funds. to every winner.

“It will be a huge asset,” the Council said. “Now we are looking at a lot of our items in the queue – boxes, bubble wrap, plastic products. Sometimes it takes about six months to get these things, so that will help with that. In addition, I can use these funds to hire a part-time assistant who can work with me and continue building in the gallery space.

“There are so many great opportunities for this funding. We have opportunities when we do with children and invite them to the gallery, so I would like to sponsor an event where we have a bus with children from disadvantaged areas to come to the gallery and learn more about art, see yourself in art and know they can be artists.”

The board said she was “thrilled” when she had to discuss everything that entailed with her company – and reveal all the trials and tribulations – before a panel of five judges, which included Mavs CEO Sint Marshall.

“I was very nervous,” she said. “It’s one thing to talk in front of people in a gallery and explain the art I’m passionate about, but not know what to expect (Monday).

“But I’m glad it’s over and I’m glad I’m moving forward. And I am very proud of all the entrepreneurs participating in this program and what we are learning.”

Bord, whose gallery first opened in October 2021, is also very proud of being able to overcome several barriers to art.

“Often people think that art is not available and think that it is only for a select few,” she said. “And when they see athletes coming in, they’re like, ‘Wow, I’m interested in that too.

“Dwight came in a few weeks ago and bought his first piece of art with me. Even people with this status collect things and material things, and really owning a property is part of the assets that we bring for ourselves. I am very pleased and proud that we have a wide range of collectors.”

Powell said he has a “decent amount” of art at home and definitely has plans to visit the Borda Art Gallery again.

“I have so many walls in my house,” Powell said. “I will definitely make another trip there.

“It’s in my rotations now that I have time in Dallas to at least see what they have going on there. The exhibits run for about a month and a half each, so I definitely want to check out each one as it becomes available.”

Twitter: @DwainPrice