New Mode.

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. Life has been full between work and family life. I’ve learned a lot over the past year, personally and professionally. However, my aim for the blog has shifted to being an online notebook: a way to keep track of what I’m learning and various topics of interests (which means I’ll be posting ad hoc).

New Ideas.

In my current role, I have become fascinated with the world of design thinking, and how those principles can be applied not just to my current work, but to societal and communal issues as well. I recently had breakfast with the CEO of Smallbox, Jenny Banner, who shared with me a model that was developed by the Creative Action Lab called Equity-Centered Community Design

 

Equity-Centered Community Design, created by Creative Reaction Lab, is a unique creative problem solving process based on equity, humility-building, integrating history and healing practices, addressing power dynamics, and co-creating with the community. This design process focuses on a community’s culture and needs so that they can gain tools to dismantle systemic oppression and create a future with equity for all. Creative Reaction Lab’s goal is to share equity-centered design to achieve sustained community health, economic opportunities, and social and cultural solidarity for all.

During my time serving and volunteering at Nehemiah Bible Church, being a member of the near east side Indy community, working for The Oaks Academy and then IU School of Medicine, I often find myself in the crux of the equity conversations as it relates to race, especially between people of color and whites in America. I’ll be taking the time to learn more about the creative lab, and how Equity-Centered Community Design can help reconcile disparate groups (brings back memories of “The Pedagogy of the Oppressed” and “Theatre of the Oppressed“)

Human – Centered Design Thinking.

Additionally, the book “The Moment of Clarity” by Christian Madsbjerg and Mikkel B. Rasmussen was recommended to me by my mentor and former boss. It’s all about using the human sciences to solve your toughest business problems.

I am captivated by what I have learned and am learning. However, I need to set aside some time to finish exploring Equity-Centered Community Design and Human-Centered Design Thinking. After some reflection and meditation, I will breakdown some key takeaways on how they can be applied to mission-based organizations.

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