From the corner to the cul-de-sac, to building bridges of hope.

From the corner to the cul-de-sac, David “Dae-Lee” Arrington's unique journey now inspires his passion for equipping leaders and organizations to unlock the power of relationships. Raised in Huntersville, a low-income Black neighborhood in Norfolk, Virginia, he grew up in a distinct Americanized silo—immersed in scarcity, resilience, and community. In 2001, life shifted dramatically when he moved from the corner in Norfolk to the cul-de-sac in south Charlotte, North Carolina, to study at the Art Institute.

This transition into a drastically different Americanized silo that was predominantly white and affluent was a challenging 180-degree shift racially, socioeconomically, and culturally. It exposed him to realities that were unknown on the corner and the disconnected lives we often lead. That experience, and the uncommon relationships cultivated throughout his journey, shaped his unique lens and approach as a bridge builder.

Music soon became the bridge that helped Dae-Lee make sense of his new reality and navigate the environmental shifts he was experiencing. Over the next two decades, music carried him onto stages around the country and across cultures, where he witnessed firsthand its power to bring people from various walks of life together.

Even a GRAMMY nomination could not rival the joy he found in watching music become a catalyst for understanding, healing, and belonging.