Park+’s Post

I cannot recommend this book or Diane Kalen-Sukra, MA, CMC's approach enough. Five years later it is more relevant and necessary than ever for leadership, governance and community building.

Why don’t people argue that the Sagrada Familia, Notre Dame, etc, take too long to build and are too big? We visit them *because* they are so big, to *marvel* at their bigness. For much of human history, we have tried to show our greatness, or to celebrate that which we have believed to be greater than us, through constructing large monuments. So why are large-scale projects now so heavily criticised? It may not surprise you that the idea that big is bad came from an anti-growth, anti-technology activist. Large infrastructure projects demonstrate represent the best of us. They demonstrate what humankind can achieve when we work together and when we have a shared vision to create a better future for our kin and beyond. “Small is beautiful” is a lie. Read more > https://lnkd.in/eVszn9QS

Officially on the 2nd half of the tour- with only 4 stops remaining! Two major learnings from this stop: This was held at the Detroit Institute of Arts - Detroit's #1 museum. We had our own private room for the session, but our check in table was visible to the public who was exploring the museum. If you've been to a tour stop, you know our check in table is covered in stickers for attendees. Surprisingly, we had a TON of people - random people walking around the museum - come up to the table and take stickers - kids and adults (check the comments below, I'll even add a sneaky photo that I took to prove it)! By the end of the event, there were only 2 out of maybe 150 stickers left on the table (30% attendees and 70% taken by the public). Had I known the power of a WELL DESIGNED (because I do take pride in our amazing designer and tour merch) stickers, I would've had a bonus one created specifically for people not in ERGs - or even one that defines ERGs in a creative way. 💡 The takeaway - make sure your free swag (especially ones that everyone can have) actually peaks interest of people with both the design and message. Speaking of peaking interest, I had to explain to dozens of people the "obvious" question of What Is An ERG? A question that's plagued me - rather ironically - because the standard definition is full of buzzwords that mean nothing to the average person. Redefining ERGs had already been something on my radar, so this was the ultimate chance to test out how close I am. Some of my favorite people to explain this to were the kids - "what's an erg?" 🤣 "erg" pronounced as one word. 💬 "It's how you make friends at work!" is what I often landed on - and hopefully planted some seeds of love for the future employees. That answer often intrigued the adults, giving me the opportunity to elaborate more and even get a few new Linkedin followers! All in all, I feel like more of this work needs to be done. TOO MANY PEOPLE have NO IDEA what ERGs are. Adding this into my MANY To-Do's for the ERG space 🤔 more to come! Excited to a very modest Denver stop this week! -The ERG Homegirl Huge shoutout to Carla Tinsley-Smith for making this happen!

Celebrating Rewi Alleys Legacy Through Sister City Connections Part 2 Purpose of Highlighting These Connections By highlighting these sister city connections, we aim to: • Validate tangible connections: Demonstrate the real and ongoing impact of Rewi Alley's work in Canterbury, New Zealand, and China. • Promote cultural and educational exchanges: Encourage more collaborative projects, student exchanges, and cultural events that honour Rewi's legacy, especially in his home province of Canterbury. • Foster greater understanding: Build stronger ties between communities in Canterbury and their sister cities in China, promoting mutual respect and understanding. Conclusion The Rewi Alley Foundation of New Zealand, along with the sister cities of Christchurch, Selwyn, and Hurunui, continue to celebrate and promote the enduring legacy of Rewi Alley. These connections are not just symbolic; they are tangible links that foster cultural exchange, educational cooperation, and a deeper understanding between New Zealand and China. Through these efforts, Rewi Alley's spirit lives on, inspiring future generations to build a more connected and compassionate world.

Elon Musk's perspectives, while influential, may not necessarily reflect the sentiments of all employees, especially those from equity deserving groups. And, as February approaches, so does an invaluable opportunity for organizations to reaffirm their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Black History Month is not just a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black individuals throughout history but also a pivotal moment for workplaces to engage in meaningful conversations and learning experiences to help everyone contribute to workplaces where Black folks can thrive. At Bloom, we understand that fostering an inclusive environment goes beyond mere acknowledgment; it requires active participation and education. That's why we are proud to announce our dedication to Black History Month training initiatives, featuring three impactful sessions: 1️⃣ Systems of Oppression: This workshop is open to anyone  wanting to learn intersectional and anti-oppressive practices that function to dismantle anti-Black racism. 2️⃣ Dismantling Anti-Black Racism: his workshop is designed specifically for non-Black folks (but is open to anyone) to deepen their understanding of anti-Black racism, how it manifests, and how to identify it within behaviours and systems. 3️⃣ Exploring the Intersections of Women, Race, and Work: This workshop provides folks with the tools to discuss the how and why surrounding the unique experiences of women of colour in the workplace. Additionally, we're excited to introduce an exclusive session tailored for our Black employees: ➡ [For Black Employees only] Navigating Microaggressions at Work: This brand-new session provides strategies and support for addressing and navigating microaggressions in the workplace, empowering our Black colleagues to thrive in an environment free from bias and discrimination. At Bloom, we believe that celebrating diversity isn't confined to a single month—it's an ongoing commitment. We have crafted context-specific training that leads to sustained action. Please reach out to learn more or booked your sessions: https://lnkd.in/gm9AMV6k #BlackHistoryMonth #DiversityandInclusion #Empowerment

It has been a privilege to collaborate with The Aspen Institute and Citizen University for the release of the Academy’s newest report, “Habits of Heart and Mind: How to Fortify Civic Culture." Rooted in the Our Common Purpose Working Group on Civic Culture, the report brings forward new strategies for addressing civic disengagement and fractionalization at a time when our shared values and sense of civic responsibility are more needed than ever.   Give the full report a read and share with folks who might find these strategies helpful: https://lnkd.in/eHVHBrQU

The “cosmopolitan canopy” is an island of inter-racial civility in a sea of segregation. Such public spaces are an increasingly common feature of many US cities. They grow organically and encourage mostly positive race relations. See my book, The Cosmopolitan Canopy.

Vive la compangnie! Long live togetherness! Check out this fantastic article by artist Dana Olărescu about the Abundant Futures project, which explores language, land, food, social and environmental justice and so much more. Mangnifique! https://lnkd.in/epf-eYHq

There are some changes to Ohio Shared Living! Here are 5 Things to Know.... https://lnkd.in/gBmwYcAi

Valentine's Day is behind us, but that doesn't mean you can't read Camron Bridgford, AICP's Love Letter to Cities. Check it out on the Cityfi blog! #cities #cityplanning #citybuilding #urbanplanning #urbanism