In the days that I have been immersed in SXSW, I have had the opportunity to choose my own path in what sessions and lectures I attend. I was fortunate to be asked to make this journey in order to bring back ideas for how “Mansfield is a place where creative expression is an engine […]
SXSW 2024
A group of 8 locals head to Austin, TX for the 2024 South By Southwest (SXSW) conference to research and develop new potential projects that fit within the Mansfield Rising Plan and reflect the city’s current growth.
Danger City no more: How can we adapt to the needs of the next generation?
Having dived into the insightful blogs written by the rest of the Mansfield Rising team, it’s been exciting to witness the breadth of topics, ideas, and issues discussed during our time here at SXSW. Little did I know that receiving a text from Allie Watson inviting me to join the team would lead to such […]
How can community and unity benefit all of us?
Many sessions I attended at SXSW — whether about gun safety, the future of sustainability, creating wealth, or even implementing Artificial Intelligence to aid in building the future of our cities — all circled back to community and the unification of the people within those areas. “What do you mean, Braxton?” Hang on, because I […]
Mansfield Rising 2.0 at SXSW: Unveiling the power of community transformation
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. […]
Mansfield is a place where talent grows, stays, and wants to be
Pretty lofty ideal, huh? But it’s something I believe in or I quite literally would not be attending South by Southwest with the second delegation sent as part of the Mansfield Rising effort. To be selected to represent the “education” portion of OUR city is a reality that a humble kid from Greenwood Avenue has […]
The heart of Mansfield
I scored tickets to Joe Rogan and friends at the Mothership on Tuesday for $50? I have seen Esther Perel and Laurie Santos, two people that have transformed my life, speaking right in front of me, in the flesh? I saw Danny Brown and Ilana Glaser from two rows back? And I still have two […]
My first 48 at South by Southwest: Immersing in the experience and eliminating self-doubt
“Passengers, please secure your tray-tables and personal belongings as we make our final decent. Welcome to Austin!” In that moment my stomach flips and I think to myself, How did I get here, and why me? What value can I possibly bring back that will impact tangible change for the community I call home? My […]
South by Southwest by Midwest: Bridging between time and space
While passing through the blanket of clouds into Austin airspace, I let my mind wander through multiple expectations. Though I was born in Texas, I haven’t been here since I was five years old and had no notion of what may be below. Hills? Desert? As we pass through the veil of cotton, I’m surprised […]
Mansfield Rising is taking you with us (kind of) to South by Southwest
Glad you’ve joined us for the first in a series of travel blogs from the team with Mansfield Rising 2024. For the next several days, we’re going to take you on a trip to South by Southwest in Austin, Texas with us as best we can. Our goal is to highlight the ideas, people, and […]
‘Mansfield Rising’ plan to get new faces & inspiration in March
MANSFIELD — Many recent improvements in downtown Mansfield can be traced to Austin, Texas. That’s where the origins were born for ideas found in Mansfield Rising, at the annual South by Southwest Conference (SXSW) in 2018, attended by 15 local residents. Six years later, a second group is ready to help the Mansfield Rising plan […]