We need innovation in the community organizing ecosystem. There are technologies in place that will allow us to create a network of community groups, and a network of people who’ve built these groups, so they can give advice and can mentor other community leaders. Yesterday, my team hosted a tech training for Block Clubs, community groups and residents associations. We were able to provide laptops for every block club (HUGE) and we worked with the leaders to create Facebook groups. We believe the more connected we are, the safer, healthier and happier we’ll be.
At the training we talked about creative ideas for hosting block club events, the biggest hurdles and challenges, goals and needs. My team prepared Facebook units for the community leaders: tutorials for how to host a block club meeting AND GET maximum attendance, how to advocate for speed bumps and stop signs, how to engage with youth on the block that may not know how they can get involved, and how to build productive relationships with the local police department.
Right now, we’re in the process of compiling all the feedback and creating a physical/digital best practices manual. I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish together.
We’re not only out here volunteering on the block, we’re also using technology for good. There’s other technology I see in divested communities in Chicago. There’s shot spotter technology (microphones on polls that listens for gun shots, there’s blue light cameras that record and report, speeding cameras), not only is this Technology being used reactively but it’s destructive to the psyche of the people. #itsnotregular Facebook tools allow me to use technology constructively, to build community not take from communities. Just wanted to say that, man. Shouts to my team for pulling off one of the greatest community events to ever be assembled. Folks was in there dropping jewel after jewel. Want to join? Need a new block club sign. Wanna talk solutions. 👉🏿
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