On Jan. 30, Mansfield and surrounding communities will gather for an evening of inspiration and discussion at the first Kaleidoscope Community Conversations event, featuring Majora Carter. The event will take place at The Renaissance main stage at 5:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:00.
Reclaiming Your Community
The event marks the opening of a four-part series that aims to open new perspectives around topics including community redevelopment, economic mobility, conflict resolution and the impact of the news media on how we see our world.
Carter, acclaimed author of the 2022 book “Reclaiming Your Community: You Don’t Have to Move out of Your Neighborhood to Live in a Better One,” will take the stage to share insights and strategies for transforming low-status communities into thriving, mixed-use local economies.
“Smart employers know they have to compete for talent. They work to create corporate cultures attractive enough to help ensure loyalty from their teams… Imagine if a talent-retention approach was applied in low-status communities.” – Majora Carter, “Reclaiming Your Community”
Her presentation will be followed by time for discussion and Q&A with Richland Source CEO, Jay Allred.
Quoted on the walls of the Smithsonian Museum of African-American History and Culture, Carter’s philosophy encapsulates the essence of her work: “Nobody should have to move out of their neighborhood to live in a better one.” This powerful message serves as the guiding principle for her groundbreaking initiatives.
Carter’s “inside-out” approach to urban revitalization holds particular relevance for our region, as its goal is to harness the power of capitalism and the markets to create wealth-building opportunities for all demographics.
“I’m so excited for Ms. Carter to lead off our Kaleidoscope series of community conversations. The practical way she describes an “inside-out approach to” community renewal will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt like their city or town was misunderstood or looked-down upon,” Allred said.
About Majora Carter
Majora Carter, a real estate developer, urban revitalization strategy consultant, MacArthur Fellow, and Peabody Award-winning broadcaster, has emerged as a notable figure in the realm of community development. From the South Bronx, Carter is a leading advocate for change and serves as a testament to the potential of visionary leadership and sustainable transformation.
Carter’s extensive career spans economic development, technology inclusion and green infrastructure. Her innovative projects, policies and job training initiatives have made a lasting impact, not only in the South Bronx but also in cities across North America. As a lecturer at Princeton University’s Keller Center, Carter shares her wisdom and experiences, influencing the minds of future change-makers.
What is the Kaleidoscope Series?
Kaleidoscope is a 4-part speaker series with nationally-recognized authors around topics like urban revitalization, poverty and income inequality, conflict, and the news, particularly as seen through the eyes of the Black press.
What we hope it becomes is more than that. It’s an opportunity to spark conversations among people from all over our community. A place where ideas take on life because we are challenging our thinking. It’s where unexpected collaborations begin to form because one person is bold enough to share a thought and another person says “I think there’s something to that and I want to be a part of it…”
Anyone high school age or older should attend. Anyone who wants to love where they live should attend. Anyone who believes we can and should and need to press forward to make Richland county an amazing place to live and work should attend. YOU SHOULD ATTEND.
What could our community look like if we stepped out from behind our keyboards and showed up with our unique perspectives and a willingness to collaborate on solutions? It could be really profound.
The event is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: The Richland County Foundation, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, Renaissance Performing Arts Association, and Richland Source.
To learn more about the event and purchase tickets, visit The Renaissance Theatre website.