September 2022 Newsletter: Unleashing Impact in Communities Across the Country
At the core of the Harwood Institute’s work is the belief that real, lasting change only occurs when people and communities help lead the solution. We aim to achieve this through our work with fault line communities, educational programs that teach others to spread the practice, and innovative research that allows our work to be responsive to an ever-evolving society. While our approach is multi-faceted, the intent is singular - empowering public innovators and communities to unleash their impact as a catalytic force for change.
On the Ground in Jackson
In partnership with the Community Foundation for Mississippi, the Harwood team began working in Jackson, MS, in 2019. Since then, Jackson has faced numerous and relentless challenges, including multiple water crises and chronic infrastructure problems, making even day-to-day life difficult for Jackson residents.
With the support of the Institute and our partners, people in Jackson are working to make change through concrete, doable, and achievable actions. A main focus of the Institute’s work has been partnering with the Jackson Association of Neighborhoods (JAN). JAN has created space for leaders from across the community to meet and forge new ways to collaborate, created a newsletter to highlight local actions, built a database of neighborhood associations, and trained local associations in taking action and emergency preparedness. These actions have positioned JAN as an essential hub for community engagement and action, particularly during the current catastrophic water crisis.
JAN is leading the way through this crisis. The ripple effects of their work can be seen as community members band together, support one another, and join the effort to move Jackson forward with shared responsibility and a can-do narrative for the future.
Unleashing Impact Virtual Lab
This summer, a cohort of 25 individuals from communities around the country participated in the first Unleashing Impact Virtual Lab.
Over five weeks, participants learned how to grow and spread a chain reaction of actions throughout their communities, strengthen their community’s civic culture, develop new ways to engage in ongoing learning, deepen their ability to make more intentional choices and judgments, and stay grounded in the practice over time.
Many participants shared their plans to implement their learning immediately in their communities. Ray Holley, the Communications Manager for Sonoma County Library, expressed that the Lab changed the way he thinks about things entirely, including his approach to a major project. “My agency is building a $27 million library in an underserved community that has never had a library. The Harwood Institute principles of Turning Outward and the tools that were included in the Lab were really useful. I am overlaying them directly onto my work with this project.”
Rich’s Healing and Hope Tour: Stamford, Connecticut
In May 2022, the City of Stamford and the Ferguson Public Library hosted Rich for a stop on his Healing & Hope Tour. Stamford was one of 16 communities that participated in the research for the Civic Virus report.
Rich’s message resonated with many in the audience, including Mayor Caroline Simmons, who introduced the speech.
Mayor Simmons invited Alice Knapp, CEO of the Ferguson Library and the organizer of the event to facilitate a discussion on Civic Virus: Why Polarization is a Misdiagnosis at the Mayor’s Cabinet Retreat later this month. The impact of the talk continues to spread beyond those who were in attendance, now reaching the most influential individuals in the city government.
Harwood Team Update!
We are excited to welcome a new member to the Harwood team! Emnet Sisay, our Media and Network Engagement Manager, is a public engagement professional with a background in journalism and communications. She previously worked as a public diplomacy practitioner in diplomatic missions, including public relations, United States government exchange program administration, and alumni and network coordination, where she effectively communicated with national and international communities and developed and implemented strategic partnerships. Learn more about Emnet.