At Community Tampa Bay, we believe that when young people see the world through each other’s eyes, they change it for the better. This Giving Tuesday, we’re sharing the voices of youth and beyond, who have been transformed through our programs — especially ANYTOWN®, our signature summer leadership program.
Leading up to Giving Tuesday, you’ll hear directly from the people whose worlds have been changed by dialogue, empathy, and action. Inspired by our popular ANYTOWN® icebreaker “In My World…,” each of their stories will begin with this same simple phrase, but reveals something extraordinary — a world that’s kinder, more just, and more inclusive because of Community Tampa Bay.
Read below to discover how Solana Rostick’s world has been shaped by her experiences at ANYTOWN®. Rostick graduated from ANYTOWN® in 2018 and went on to participate in Advocacy Academy. After graduating with her Masters in Museum Studies at the University of Florida in December 2025, she will begin a new position at the Clark Atlanta University Art Museum in the new year.
“In my world, I am deeply committed to working in a museum environment that elevates marginalized voices and fosters inclusivity, reflecting my passion for ensuring that diverse communities see themselves represented in major art institutions. This mission began my junior year of high school.
In the summer of 2018, I was exposed to the importance of diversity through ANYTOWN®. I along with 50 other students from around Tampa Bay participated in the ANYTOWN® program: a week-long residential camp on a college campus that featured workshops and dialogue groups that promoted cross-cultural interactions. This experience helped me appreciate the beauty of diversity and its importance of keeping a community united as one.
As I continued onto college and graduate school, this appreciation spilled into my passions in visual art and museums. During my undergraduate studies, I pursued my degree in art history in which we primarily studied and focused mainly on white male artists. With the exceptions of my African American Art, Gender in Modern Art, and African Art classes, it was frustrating as I didn’t see myself represented in the artists and artworks that we were studying. As I continued learning about the museum world, I noticed the gaps of diversity within staff, exhibitions, and collections within the museum field.
Throughout my coursework, I saw myself gravitating towards a community-centered and social activist pedagogy in my work as a museum scholar and as an art historian. I made sure to continue this by not only holding space as a Black woman but also through my coursework, volunteering, and internships. As a critical emerging museum professional, I desire to see the art museum not only promote the creativity of underrepresented groups but also within their collection holdings. Thank you to ANYTOWN® and Community Tampa Bay for planting the seed that guided me to leading an inclusive, opening mindset both professionally and personally.”
This Giving Tuesday, you can help us continue planting seeds and shaping an inclusive future. Your gift makes experiences like ANYTOWN® possible for young people across the Tampa Bay region.
