Mansfield Rising 2.0 🚀
Eight local residents are attending South By Southwest (SXSW), a world-renowned festival for tech and ideas in Austin, TX. Follow along with their daily blog posts as they research and develop new ideas to bring back to Mansfield.
Yesterday, while standing in line waiting for my morning coffee, a familiar question was asked: “How’s your SXSW experience, and what brings you here?”
As I exchanged smiles with fellow SXSW attendee, I felt a surge of excitement (and dare I say pride) to share the story of our team of 10 from Mansfield, Ohio. We’re not just here for the latest trends or tech innovations, we’re here to gather ideas that can transform our city.
In response to the curious inquiry, I proudly explained how Mansfield, Ohio, has rallied behind our small-but-mighty group, supporting our journey to SXSW with the shared goal of bringing back innovative ideas to uplift and revitalize our community.
As I repeatedly introduce this story to attendees, the reaction is nothing short of inspiring – I can see a genuine spark of excitement in their eyes. SXSW isn’t just about us; it’s about the power of community and the potential that comes when a community stands together.
I’ve now been through three days of mind-blowing topics — ideas that I had no idea existed, and some I didn’t want to ever know. For example:
• The Search for Extraterrestrial Life Institute (SETI) is pointing a communication laser into space saying, hey, we want to talk!
• Grow with Google offers cybersecurity training certificates…go level up!
• Brooke Shields is launching a science-based brand to unite women over 40.
• More 18-year-olds are registering to vote now than ever (this is important)!
• As of September 2023, we now have a White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
• And something I will never unlearn…fecal matter transplants are a thing (yes, ingesting 💩).
Throughout all the discussions I’ve attended, I’ve found one common theme: It not only takes a village to thrive…it takes individuals within those communities to activate and come together to make great ideas flourish.
That’s what the Mansfield Rising 2.0 team is here for. Our team’s mission isn’t merely about personal or professional growth; it’s about bringing back the essence of community belonging, and the extraordinary things that can happen when people come together with a shared purpose.
Let me brain dump about a few of the sessions I’ve attended that have impacted me, and that I know can impact Mansfield, Ohio:
Finding E.T. Then What?
When I sat in my first SXSW meeting held at the Richland County Foundation, I mentioned a crazy topic (that I was secretly excited about): What will we do if and when we receive extraterrestrial communication?
The immediate feedback I heard was, “If it excites you, then go!” Awesome! This was the very first session I attended on Friday morning.
Scientists from the Search for Extraterrestrial Life Institute (SETI) discussed their progress on decoding signals from extraterrestrial civilizations. An overarching theme emerged in the discussion – the indispensable role of collaboration.
The SETI scientists described a collective effort; humanity is not only sending messages into space but also building models to decipher potential extraterrestrial responses. The community here extends beyond earthly boundaries — it encompasses the shared human endeavor to unravel the mysteries of the universe.
In this quest for knowledge, the collaboration mirrors the strength of our earthly communities, where individuals work collectively for one common goal.
Pro tips: Check out the Allen Telescope Array in California and join the SETI Discord discussion.
Democracy Takes a Village: Join the Discussion
Another impactful session I attended dealt with the realm of democracy, emphasizing that it’s not merely about casting a vote, it’s about active participation and a sense of collective responsibility.
The panel spoke passionately about the need for individuals and communities to play a role in ensuring a healthy democracy. Their stories highlighted the impact of community-driven movements, be it the NBA’s commitment to voting rights or Annie Gonzalez‘s advocacy for open political discussions.
Democracy, as echoed in these discussions, is a village effort. It requires communities to be engaged, informed, and actively shaping the narrative to protect the core values of democracy. It’s a call to action for individuals to recognize their role in the democratic processes and actively contribute to shaping their future.
Pro tip: Find clarity about voting issues at Vote.org.
Community is the Future of Public Safety
Addressing community violence is an important issue in Mansfield, in America, and at SXSW.
The panel of speakers advocated for a paradigm shift. The emphasis was not just on law enforcement but on community-led approaches, restorative justice, and trauma-informed interventions.
Jamila Hodge, a former prosecutor, underscored the importance of community-based solutions outside the conventional justice system. The narratives shared by Lisa Daniels and Greg Jackson highlighted the transformative power of community understanding and intervention in preventing violence.
It’s a reminder that public safety isn’t achieved solely through legislation — it’s nurtured through community bonds, understanding, and proactive efforts to address the root causes of violence.
Pro tip: Use the QR codes in the picture below to follow the work of these speakers and become more informed.
I still have two more days to gain all the knowledge I can at SXSW, and then I can see lots of coffee-fueled unpacking of all we learned.
In the end, it’s not just about the ideas we bring back: It’s about the sense of belonging, the shared dreams, and the knowledge that, with the power of community, transformation is not just possible — it’s inevitable.