OFF THE COUCH | D.PAINTER

DJ/Producer Dominic Painter relocated to Washington D.C., after making a name in the Los Angeles area. Social organizing became a passion in high school starting with the D.A.R.E. program. While attending the University of Maryland, College Park, his civic engagement took off, working with the Black Business Society and the national student coordinating committee for the Million Man March. Years later he helped to create the Hip-Hop entrepreneurial nonprofit, The Midnight Forum Inc., and rose to the executive director position during his 10-year history with them.

Dominic's citywide work with The Midnight Forum led to a partnership with D.C. government and the creation of the “MuralsDC” program. This venture created public art pieces, pairing professional street artists with aspiring graffiti writers to keep them from illegally practicing their art by fixing defaced property.