Ten years. Hundreds of young artists. And a community that shows up. Executive Director Olisa Enrico joins hosts Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren with youth artists Maia Gaiia and Sonatta to unpack The Residency’s journey from a two-week summer intensive partnering with MoPOP/Arts Corps and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis to a year-round 501(c)(3) that serves 300–400 youth annually — plus the capital-campaign dream of a permanent home. We talk stage presence, business skills, community  and what it means to throw down for a decade of impact in Seattle. 

Takeaways: 

• The Residency grew from a 2-week program to a 4-week intensive with 45 artists, then expanded year-round.  
• In 2020, The Residency became an independent 501(c)(3) and rapidly pivoted to online programming to keep community connected.  

• Today the org serves ~300–400 youth annually across intensives, workshops, performance opps, and leadership programs.  

• Across ten years, ~400–500 unduplicated young people have come through the program.  
• “Who controls the narrative, controls the world” — youth voice and community collaboration sit at the center of the mission.  

Timestamps:  

[02:20] Meet Executive Director Olisa Enrico; introducing youth artists Maia Gaia & Sonatta.  

[04:39] Origin story: MoPOP/Arts Corps + Macklemore & Ryan Lewis → from 2 to 4 weeks.  

[06:07] Becoming a 501(c)(3) in 2020 and the Zoom-era pivot.  

[07:42] Scale today: 300–400 youth/year; gateway via Summer Intensive.  

[22:23] Sankofa: looking back to move forward; why narrative control matters.  

[34:35] How to support + Nov. 2025 10-year celebration invite; tickets at theresidencyseattle.org.  

Resources & Links: 

-The Residency: Website, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook 

-Event: An Evening with The Residency: Celebrating 10 Years  

-Olisa Enrico: LinkedIn 

-Maia Gaiia: LinkedIn, Instagram, Depop 

-Sonatta: Instagram 

-Alysse & Libby: Bios & LinkedIn 

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-LinkedIn: @BEATS WORKING Show 

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-Facebook: @Beats Working Show 

-YouTube: @BEATSWORKINGPODCAST 

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