Eddrena: Art x Tech

Hack the Hood believes in highlighting the young people who have brought their skills and passions to our program to inspire others. We're profiling a different young leader each month to share their journey through Hack the Hood and beyond, with Eddrena being our October feature.

1. What made you decide to join Hack the Hood (HtH)? When did you start with HtH? 
The decision wasn’t 100% all mine, although I was very interested in learning new skills . I had been getting into a lot of trouble as a teenager and young adult growing up in Marin county. So my aunt who lives in Oakland found out about Hack the Hood and enrolled me in one of the programs. I moved to Oakland, joined the Summer 2015 Bootcamp, and have been a proud alumna ever since. 

2. What did you learn that was unexpected? Was there anything that surprised you about the program?
​I learned a lot about business and entrepreneurship. That has helped me in my career today. What surprised me about the program is that all of the staff had other things they were passionate about outside of Hack the Hood and they would share their passions. It was a great environment to grow and learn real life skills.

3. What has your journey post- Hack the Hood looked like?
I’ve been working closely with a lot of Oakland natives on art, music, and film through Wine and Bowties. I’ve also been elevating my career path and I am currently the manager of a 3d photo studio in San Francisco called Doob 3D.

4. What do you do for fun?
I enjoy riding my bike, shadow boxing, and multimedia art. I also watch anime on funimation, Crunchyroll, AnimeHeaven, Netflix, and Hulu.

5. What are your favorite foods?
I love seafood, Ethiopian food, Thai food and Japanese food.

6. What are three places you enjoy visiting in the Bay Area and beyond?
I love going to Lake Merritt on a warm day. I can sit out with everyone and soak up all the great energy that Oakland provides. I love thrifting in the city and finding my next favorite item to wear. I also love going up in the Berkeley Hills for some adventurous hikes and great scenery.

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7. Who are your top music artists?
Toro y Moi, Lil Pump, Neotec, Strfkr, Made in Heights, Clean Bandit, Audio Bullies.

8. Who do you follow on insta?
I follow so many artists, designers and rappers. It’s hard to narrow it down but to name a few: @asapferg @philipjvo.ai @plroblem6oy @leftnrightrecords @siribo510

9. Where’d you grow up? What do you like about the Bay Area?
I grew up in Marin and San Francisco. Then I moved to Oakland. So you could say I’m HELLA BAY. I’ve been here my whole life. I've lived all over the Bay and worked within the communities that I lived in. What makes me hella bay is my style, my slang, and my determination to stay in the bay no matter the cost. I love the vibes I get in the Bay. You can’t get that anywhere else.

10. What’s something you’d like to see change in Oakland? What do you want your contribution to that change to be? 
I want there to be more affordable housing and to help the homeless get back to being part of our community. What I want my contribution to be is a helping hand. I give out water, clothes, shoes, and food to anyone in need in the Bay.

11. What do you appreciate about today’s technology?
I appreciate how connected we are and radical we can be with these connections .

12. What type of technology do you wish you had, but hasn’t been invented yet?
I wish there was a machine you could step inside and on the monitor it would tell you exactly what you needed to have your body back at 100% health. Then, it would give you all the meds and or liquids you'd need to be healthy again.

13. What would be your dream job? What do you want to be when you grow up? 
​I want to be a stylist, designer, and all-around great artist when I grow up. I would love to be a clothing designer that makes clothes for everyday life that looks dope while still being utilitarian.

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Photography by Christine Cueto.