This is part of a series highlighting recent ACE participants who are finding meaningful ways to connect and build on their ACE experience beyond their ACE summer program. After student-athlete participants complete their ACE summer, they are encouraged to think about a specific goal that connects their ACE experience to their life in a meaningful way. ACE staff support this process through the development of a personal ACE Action Plan and 1-1 coaching, group meetings, and check-ins throughout the year.
After participating in the ACE in South Africa program in 2024, Tatum Wall returned to campus and focused her ACE Action Plan on continuing her work with Duke’s Pancakes for Parkinson’s – a campus organization focused on spreading awareness about Parkinson’s disease and raising money to support The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, all in an effort to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
On her Action Plan, Tatum shares, “Inspired by my Grandfather who has Parkinson’s disease, I have been an executive board member of Duke’s Pancakes for Parkinson’s since my freshman year and am now Co-President. Pancakes for Parkinson’s volunteers to support the Parkinson’s community as well as raise money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. For my ACE Action plan, I wanted to build on an event I created last year: an art gala for local community members with Parkinson’s to showcase their art.”
“The township we worked in South Africa, Langa, has a flourishing art scene. During our time there we visited art galleries and studios, hearing about how art is transforming the lives of Langa residents. These stories reminded me how impactful art can be to building identity.”
– Tatum connecting her ACE experience in South Africa to her Action Plan
Planning an event such as this comes with challenges. Tatum reflects on overcoming these challenges sharing, “In order to grow the event this year we had to find a new larger venue. It was difficult to find a venue in our budget but more importantly, finding a venue that had parking that was accessible to a large group of people with a movement disorder. Luckily our partners at the Duke Movement Disorder Clinic received a grant that allowed us to rent out a space at the Durham Arts Council that could accommodate such needs.”
Tatum shares that the “The club is still in the planning stage for the art gala. We have a venue and date, April 11th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Durham Arts Council (120 Morris Street Durham, NC 27701). We are still currently accepting artist applications, so please reach out if you’re interested or know someone who may be interested!”
For those interested in attending or volunteering at this event, please follow and contact @dukepancakes via Instagram to stay up to date and get involved.