About Us

​

DAWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that honors, celebrates, and empowers the essential work of BIPOC community frontliners through direct financial support and culturally relevant health-centered programming.

Portrait of a man with a shaved head and beard wearing a green shirt and gold chain against a dark background.
Stylized digital artwork of a man with a beard playing a double bass, surrounded by large pastel-colored leaves on a gradient background, with the name Jimmy Blaze written in bold white and red text at the bottom right corner.

​We are dedicated to embodying a culturally and socially transformative energy that transcends boundaries and empowers individuals and communities to find unique solutions to the complex challenges of a rapidly growing city like Austin.

Since 2019, DAWA’s innovative mission of giving to the givers has delivered catalytic social and economic impact in the Live Music Capital. Centering community and culture as conductors creates greater sustainability and resilience for those we choose to honor and serve daily.

Teacher and Musician, Jimmy Blazer

A woman wearing a light purple chef's jacket and hat, smiling in front of a dark background with white handwritten style text and doodles that says, "What is a community frontliner?" and the logo "DAWA" at the bottom.
A woman in a chef's uniform saluting, with a black background and doodle-style graphics. Text above reads 'A GIVER', and a paragraph below explains about people whose paid or unpaid labor supports communities but lack financial security or access to safety nets.
A woman wearing a light purple jacket and a head wrap standing in a photo studio with black and white backdrops, looking down with a thoughtful expression.

our values

01
Communities
Hold Their Own Medicine

We create CONDITIONS for communities to access the wisdom they already carry.

02
Healing As
Infrastructure

Restoration is foundational work for social change. We cannot build from EXHAUSTION.

03
Culture is
the root

The creative practice of art directs and guides our development and strategy.

OUR THEORY OF CHANGE

Beyond the immediate financial impact, providing human-centered, low-barrier cash assistance allows people to be seen and feel supported, creating a lasting impact on their mental and emotional health/well-being.

1

Black and white photo of a woman singing into a microphone on stage, with a man playing guitar in the background.

Prioritizing Community Frontliners has an amplifying effect on the entire community. Nourishing them, nourishes the whole community.

2

Three women smiling outdoors in casual and colorful clothing, standing close together.

Our STAFF

A man wearing a black headscarf with a gold ram pin and a white jacket, smiling, with colorful geometric background.

Jonathan 'Chaka' Mahone

Founder/Creative Director

A visionary storyteller who believes in the power of art, and the importance of the artist as a community catalyst for social and cultural change, economic development, healing, planning, and collective conversation. 

A woman with curly black hair, wearing a cream-colored dress with black vertical stripes, standing indoors with a colorful patterned background, smiling and posing with her hand on her hip.

Lisa Smith-Williams

Development Director

A self-published author and dedicated reformer with Master’s degrees in Education Administration and Business Administration. With 13 years of experience as a teacher, assistant principal, and fundraising development leader for a major Texas charter school network, she has implemented transformative systems that empower communities. 

A smiling woman with dreadlocks wearing a colorful headband, hoop earrings, a choker necklace, and a denim jacket, sitting at a table in a bright room.

MONIQUE HATCH

DAWA Fund Manager

Passionate about creating opportunities for the BIPOC community and supporting the growth of people who identify as such. 

A young man with curly dark hair, a beard, and a mustache smiling with his teeth showing. He is wearing a light gray sweatshirt and has his arms crossed, with a plain light gray background.

EVER CALDERON

DAWA Studios Manager

A self-taught audio and video systems engineer, specializing in livestream broadcasting and production. His expertise was critical to the technical direction of DAWA Studios and has been utilized to produce multiple livestreams in partnership with SXSW, Love, Tito’s, Six Square, and The Pershing. Love for electronics, seeing new people and places, and community brought him to DAWA.

Group of diverse smiling people, including women, men, and a child, standing together outside a modern building with a sign that reads 'CITY' in large letters. One person is holding a framed certificate.
A group of five diverse men standing in front of a colorful, geometric patterned wall, smiling at the camera.
A black metal box with the text 'DAWA HQ' mounted on a textured wall with green, white, yellow, and black paint.
A group of diverse people gathered at a music event, with one person playing a trumpet. They are standing in front of a blue background with a logo and the words 'amtexas'.
Close-up of a woman with freckles, smiling, wearing turquoise earrings and a necklace, in a black t-shirt that reads 'Healing Isn't a Luxury'.

Board Members

  • A smiling woman wearing a black dress with jewelry, standing in front of abstract wall art and a potted plant in a white pot on a black table.

    Veronica Robertson


    Veronica "V" Robertson serves the DAWA Board with extensive experience as a single mother of creative artists and entrepreneurs, a state employee, and a community curator of safe spaces for BIPOC individuals in Travis County for over two decades.

    Through her "Love Life In Music" platform, she continues this work as a speaker and spoken word artist. Additionally, she co-curates "My Spirit is Rooted Collective - The Rooted Experience," a bi-monthly Black sacred worship experience designed by and for Black folx of all faiths. 

  • A man with dark hair smiling and standing with arms crossed in front of colorful decorative wall hangings.

    Sharad Kohli


    Sharad Kohli is a family physician who has dedicated his career to advancing health justice. He has over two decades of experience developing programs that promote well-being and allow people to take ownership of their own health. He integrates wisdom from diverse healing traditions and draws upon the power of community to foster wellness.

  • A woman with blonde hair smiling, standing indoors with large green, white, and orange patterned art behind her, and large plants on either side.

    Krista Bergeron


    Krista Bergeron is the owner and head coach of Austin Simply Fit, an inclusive strength training studio known for high-integrity coaching and efficient 30-minute private sessions. With a background in social work and a lifelong connection to sports, she’s passionate about helping people feel strong, seen, and supported. Since joining ASF in its first month, she has grown it into a mission-driven business that prioritizes diversity, education, and community impact—proving that strength truly is for everyone.

  • A smiling man with crossed arms standing indoors in front of colorful abstract wall art and a potted plant.

    Alec Brownridge


    Alec Brownridge is passionate about weaving together well-being and analytics to help communities thrive. He brings a unique blend of movement and mindfulness practices with a talent for turning data into stories that spark understanding and healing. As a board member of DAWA, Alec is committed to holding space, building connections, and supporting initiatives that nurture both individual and collective resilience.

  • A man with glasses and a beard smiling and standing with arms crossed in front of blue and beige patterned wall hangings, with a large green plant in a white pot nearby.

    Drew Dunavan


    Drew Dunavan, Co-Founder of The Werd Company, brings 15 years of extensive experience in technical production and project management to his role on the board of DAWA. His background includes overseeing major AV installations for various sectors, including venues, hospitality, and government projects. Drew's expertise has allowed him to collaborate with Fortune 100 companies, major brands, and A-list artists, consistently bringing complex events and installations to life with exceptional results.

  • A woman with long dark hair smiling, wearing a black blazer and denim jeans, standing in front of colorful abstract wall art and a potted plant.

    Elsa Morales


    Elsa Morales is a PR professional with over 12 years of experience leading strategic communications across the tourism, nonprofit, hospitality, and multicultural sectors. She currently works at Giant Noise, where she oversees nonprofit accounts including Austin Parks Foundation, Austin Ed Fund, and the Greater Austin YMCA. Morales is passionate about amplifying diverse voices and has led numerous Hispanic and Latino-focused initiatives. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring Austin’s newest restaurants, traveling, and spending time with her dog, Hugo.

  • A woman with blonde hair smiling, standing with her arms crossed in a room with colorful abstract artwork on the wall behind her and a potted plant on a table.

    Jenny Spytek


    Jenny, principal at Spytek Bookkeeping, LLC, a virtual bookkeeping firm for makers and creators, knows the crucial importance of working behind the scenes of each specific brand, designing an organized finance environment tailored specifically to individual needs. From an early age, her mother instilled in her a deep respect for life, an appreciation for different cultures, and the importance of accepting and embracing people from all walks of life. Jenny is honoured to carry on that volunteer work for these important community causes as a board member at DAWA.

  • A young man with dark hair and beard standing with arms crossed in front of colorful abstract wall hangings and a large potted plant.

    Max Mckamy


    Max McKamy is an experience architect who believes in the power of live experiences, and the importance of music and community as catalysts for social connection, cultural change, economic opportunity, healing, and collective dialogue.

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with long dark hair, wearing a beige jacket and colorful scarf, standing indoors with patterned wall art in the background and large green plants nearby.

    Nhi Nguyen


    Nhi Nguyen is a Vietnamese American holistic creative. Her work is rooted in curiosity, care, and a belief that creativity can be a powerful tool for connection and healing. As someone deeply inspired by community, culture, and storytelling, Nhi brings her creative perspective to spaces that center belonging and collective well-being. She is grateful to support DAWA’s mission as a board member and to contribute to a community that nurtures healing, creativity, and care.

  • A smiling woman with long dark hair, wearing a blue blouse and a brown vest, posing with her hand on her hip in front of colorful abstract wall art and green plants.

    Elisa Cuellar


    Elisa Cuellar is the Talent Experience and Culture leader at Favor, where she focuses on enabling people within the three-sided marketplace through performance, engagement, culture, retention, and development. She brings deep expertise from leading DEI strategy at H-E-B and over a decade in higher education. Outside of work, she enjoys chasing experiences with her husband, Paul, and four-year-old, Evan, and engaging in cultural preservation work tied to her Liberian heritage.

  • A man with a beard and braided hair smiling with arms crossed in front of colorful patterned wall art.

    Zae Jenkins


    Zae Jenkins is a technology sales leader in Austin, Texas with a passion for creating meaningful connections between people, ideas, and opportunities. Drawing from experience in global business development and revenue strategy, he specializes in helping organizations grow through thoughtful relationship-building, operational clarity, and collaboration across teams. Outside of work, he’s inspired by creativity and community.