Intern Spotlight: Chikumbuso Brings a Global Perspective to Downtown
Chikumbuso’s journey to downtown Walla Walla started halfway across the world. She’s originally from Lusaka, Zambia, and came to the US after finishing high school at United World College in Thailand. She’s now entering her senior year at Whitman College, where she’s majoring in economics and spending her summer with the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation.
Her focus is on developmental and behavioral economics, shaped by an interest in issues like income inequality, underemployment and access to basic needs. She hopes to apply her studies to real-world challenges and contribute to improving quality of life in communities like the one she came from and the one she is part of now.
When she came across the DWWF internship, the mission immediately resonated.
“The idea that everyone should feel welcome and have the chance to thrive, that is something I care about,” Chikumbuso said.
She saw the opportunity as a way to better understand how local efforts create meaningful change and how nonprofit organizations help shape the places people live and work.
This summer, Chikumbuso hopes to take on a project focused on supporting small businesses, especially in underserved areas. Coming from a place where small enterprises are vital to the economy, she is interested in exploring what helps them grow and succeed in downtowns like Walla Walla. She is curious about the roles that access to capital, mentorship and visibility play in business development.
One of her favorite experiences downtown so far has been the Wheelin’ Walla Walla car show, when the streets are packed, energy is high and the community comes out in full force. She has also been surprised by how much thoughtful planning goes into preserving the character of downtown while keeping it vibrant and active.
By the end of the summer, her goal is to contribute something meaningful. Whether that is through research, data or steady support for the team, she wants to leave with a better understanding of what community centered development really looks like.
And one fun fact about her? She has kept a Duolingo streak going for more than three years, learning French, Zulu and Italian.
About Downtown Walla Walla Foundation:
Established in 1984, the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation is a nonprofit community organization dedicated to promoting the history, culture, and commerce of downtown Walla Walla. The Foundation manages the Walla Walla Farmers Market and produces many downtown events, including the Summer Concert Series, Sip and Stroll, the Wheelin' Walla Walla car show, Walla Walla Brewfest, as well as the annual Holiday Parade of Lights, and Veterans Day Parade.
