Noor Huda Ismail’s Post

One thing about me...I'm going to take a selfie. I just think it captures the moment better than a regular group photo! And I'm a millennial, sue me! But this is one of my favorites ever, and what a moment it was. This picture was taken on Day 5 of week 1 of Girls Rock! Phoenix Rock Camp last year with the band I managed, Organ Thief. At this point, these teenagers learned an instrument, co-created a band logo and name, wrote a whole song, memorized it (mostly), recorded this song in a few takes, screenprinted their logo onto tshirts, AND they went to 4 workshops and saw 4 local bands play in between all of this. In a week, they'd perform on stage at Walter Studios. But in a layer behind all of that, this was the first time as an organization that we had taken on planning two weeks of camp instead of one, and it was our first camp since COVID made us pivot and pivot and pivot. We had a new camp venue, a new showcase venue, new volunteers and board members, a new (first) paid position, new ways of doing things, and brand new challenges. We were just as exhausted, in awe, and immersed in the process as these teenagers were. Actually - maybe a lot more exhausted since they have their youth to fuel them and they don't have to pay rent... It is by sheer will that the organization even stayed afloat during COVID, frankly. As a working board and as a volunteer force, we couldn't let go of what we have collectively created since 2015. One year from now, we'll be a 10 year-old organization. This year, I'll have been (very) involved for 8 years. All of this is mind-blowing. A lot of my adult life I've spent with the fine folks in this community, which is ever in flux. No doubt it's shaped a lot of my adult Self. This year, we're a little more primed for the exhaustion that June will bring. We remember well what it takes to get through two weeks of Rock Camp. We have brand new instruments thanks to Roland Global / Boss Global. We're adding more board members, recruiting more volunteers, and trying to increase that camper number based on volunteers. So all that to say...please tell your network, if they love music and/or art and/or kids and/or helping people live life authentically, they belong at Girls Rock! Phoenix Rock Camp this summer. Head to https://lnkd.in/gJXFaNiq for more information, and hit that "Get Involved" button to GET INVOLVED!!!! 🤘

Dance has an incredible power to unite communities. From the passionate rhythms of Salsa to the elegant moves of Swing, community dances create spaces where people from all walks of life come together, break down barriers, and share unforgettable moments. Let's explore the magic of "Community Dances" and how they unite on the dance floor. 😇 #ConnectToGrow growzilla.co #growzilla #community #communitybuilding #communitymanagement #communitydevelopment #communitygrowth #communityfirst #communitystrategy

Wavelengths of Harmony: Music transcends boundaries, uniting diverse voices in a symphony of shared emotions. From street buskers to community choirs, it orchestrates connections that resonate, weaving a tapestry of local unity.😍 #ConnectToGrow growzilla.co #growzilla #community #communitybuilding #communitygrowth [community, community building, community growth, community management, community development]

In your opinion, what's the number 1 stereotype about #communitymanagers? Here's Emma Buitendag's (Community Manager at The Alliance) take. 😄 (More videos on our channel: https://lnkd.in/eEiRmbfN)

Below are some Juneteenth conversation highlights from Zora DeSeignora and CSL Colleagues!!!

The most asked question at our launch party was: "What do you guys build?" Our answer is: "Places and spaces that matter" While we can and will build just about anything, our areas of expertise and interest lie in "places and spaces that matter." In other words, places where people go to congregate, socialize, exercise, or recover from sickness. Places where people Worship, dine, and absorb culture via the arts. Places of impact both personally and professionally. It's easy to think of these places; you probably frequent them daily! 🏨 Comment below on a place or space that matters to you and why! 🏫 The work is in the name "Community"!

I'd like to return to the question about how practical joy is as a city building objective. People continue to raise the concept of hierarchy of need and say - "surely we need to deal with the grim issues of our times before tackling joy. After all, people need food, housing and safety before they can entertain joy." I challenge that last sentence with the follow example: Maslow's Hierarchy of Need would suggest that southern black gospel music should never of happened. But this unbridled joy did happen in a society of slavery, poverty and violence. And more importantly, it played a major role in giving its community the resilience to carry on, thrive and create the civil rights movement. When I speak and write about collective joy, it is not in terms of the ultimate city building goal. It is the critical objective that leads to a compassionate, optimistic and unified community. It is through collective joy that we gain the resilience to tackle our issues. JOY is Practical. #citybuilding #healthycities #joyexperiments #urbanplanning #civic #cities #JOY

Effective community engagement processes are critical to ensuring residents and community partners are able to share ideas, input, and solutions. Authentic dialogue is a simple and powerful place to start. It is a communication process in which people share their perspectives and experiences and seek to understand others. Learn more about how dialogue can catalyze community change in our newest Community Commons Original: https://bit.ly/4dEDTcu #CommunityChange #Dialogue #CommunityDialogue #CCOriginal [Image description: A collage of four photos of community members engaging in dialogue. White text below reads "Dialogue as a Process for Catalyzing Community Change". A green banner spans the top right corner and contains white text that reads "CC Original".]

I“If you’ve ever wondered what it is like to be blind—and if you’ve ever wondered if you have any “blind spots” in the way you see the world”, (Sammy SweetSpirit, 2022) Sammy’s book is a must read! I want to tell you about my cousin, Samantha, who goes by Sammy SweetSpirit.  Sammy was introduced to this journey of life early and because of this blind at birth. Sammy has lived her life navigating this complex world but has not let it affect her spirit.  Recently Sammy has been on a journey to get her message out to the world. Many companies and those of us who work in Human Resources have a strong interest in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as well as a focus on Accessibility, but what does this really mean? As we aim to learn more about others and their diverse experiences, talking to Sammy would be beneficial for all of us! I ask you to spend some time tonight to imagine what it might be like to live with a disability and how we can all benefit from conversations with amazing people like Sammy. By listening and learning, we can all grow as individuals and professionals. Below is a link to Sammy’s GoFundMe which is helping her to spread her message to the public and an article recently written in Forbes.  https://gofund.me/fae98929 #DEI #Accessibility #Inclusion #Forbes #Hiring

Art for All: In the vibrant strokes and colors of community murals, we find stories that transcend words, touch hearts, and unify diverse voices, fostering a sense of belonging and shared identity.🤩 #ConnectToGrow growzilla.co #growzilla #community #communitybuilding #communitymanagement #communitydevelopment #communitygrowth #communityfirst #communitystrategy