CETA 2020: Our first 2 emojis (of hundreds)

CETA 2020: Our first 2 emojis (of hundreds)
Created January 6, 2020

Monday, January 21, 2019

Class Notes 1/9/19- Meeting at the Plantory with Andrea James and James Brown

All notes will be posted in the comment sections
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2019 at 2:26 PM

    Andrea was the council member for 1st district (also the first black woman elected to city council in 2007), now works for Mayor Linda Gorton
    Andrea’s journey:
    Background in medical field
    Born and raised in Lexington - originally thought it was the most “dreadful town ever”! It lacked diversity and inclusion.
    She decided to work and provide health benefits when she returned to Lexington.
    Got involved after someone asked her to sign a petition (regarding H1 overlay) and she wanted to do more research. She started going to town hall and neighborhood association meetings.
    She realized that the government is directed by those who present their arguments. She could offer the perspective of a citizen/resident in the neighborhood.
    After meeting a woman named Sarah, she decided to bather folks and educate them. After a month-long battle, they defeated the 1st H1 initiative, which bolstered her confidence.
    They then decided to try to save the Charles Young building back in 2004. This required even more research and tough negotiation. They were able to help people relocate and find suitable housing.
    Andrea ran for office, Sarah was her campaign manager and worked with her when she won.
    Her goal was to educate themselves and the community, as well as to avoid a negative image as a politician. She even helped reopen the Lyric Theatre.
    Helped adopt housing and development small area plans. They are still a part of Lexington’s overall development plan. Unfortunately, it increased the cost of living, development, property values, which led to divisiveness.
    Give everyone information, dream big, choose wisely.
    Lived in East End area; realized she needed to move to give her children a chance at success. They were able to move to the country.
    Historically, all white people lived in East End. Then, all black people. Now, its moving back to white people.
    Her husband feels that what happened was good for the neighborhood; when you create development in communities, you have to consider the sustainable families in a community and how they are affected by new policies.
    Be sure to consider who benefits - don’t think from a social services lens alone, think from an asset lens. Who is involved? What’s being framed for you - in what you see, where you’re going, what is being presented to you.
    Who do you tune out? Open your eyes and ears and listen to all voices - especially those who have benefitted from what has happened.
    Is whatever happening, whatever you’re doing, truly equitable? Does everyone have fair and just opportunity?
    If everyone has opportunity, we can discover what the barriers are that prevent people from reaching the bar. Where is the bar set?
    Keep in mind where you are right now as you meet people within the community - where you are does not need to determine where you’re going.
    Everyone has opportunity to change their circumstances - but that doesn’t mean there aren’t barriers in the way (addiction, poverty)
    There’s always a way to reroute to get to where you want to go. (Like sending directions in Google maps)
    Everybody’s got hurdles. Some are higher than others.
    When considering whether or not to run for gov’t in her new district, many people told her she was better suited for serving the 1st district than the 12th district, which is made up primarily of white men and horse owners.
    Andrea and Sarah started their own company (On The Table) and do community engagement, campaign consulting, giving people strategies to engage. (Currently looking for more help!)
    Anyone can come and talk with On The Table. A pivotal civic exercise.

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2019 at 2:26 PM

    James Brown’s story
    Born and raised in Lexington, grew up on West End, 1 of 8 children. Felt responsibility for his siblings early on.
    Worked for Toyota in Georgetown for 13 years, worked as a realtor by day. In 2009, decided the leave cars to sell real estate full time. His wife started working night shifts as a nurse while he stayed home and took care of the kids.
    Joined Neighborhood Association, his son’s PTA, and Commerce Lexington. Started to realize how they all interacted and tied together.
    His predecessor’s (Chris Ford) office reached out to him and asked if he was interested in running for office. Declined his initial request, but thought about it. After discussing with others and with their encouragement, he decided to run for council member of the 1st district. He is currently serving in this office.
    You do the best you can all the time to represent the people you serve. Despite the challenges, James finds the work rewarding and is glad that he is serving.
    Douglass Park Centennial Commission. Attempt to reclaim the park after a tragic accident in which a bystander was shot and killed by a stray bullet. The Commission brought life back to the park.
    You are able to empower and help better the community.
    Did something similar with Duncan Park. Then, they started picking parks to help revive. (Coolalvin, Douglass, Windbyrne, and most recently, East End.)
    You have to be very intentional about it - if you are not teaching folks to fend for themselves, you are doing them a disservice.
    Group Discussion:
    On The Table is an empowerment exercise. It is assumed that someone at the table will take action. The organization also provides funding to move an initiative forward. It’s about relationship building - then move on it if it is for the betterment of the community.
    Sometimes you have to get out of where you are to understand the perspective of where you are.
    Equal ≠ Equitable
    If you want to lead, own it and do it.
    If you’re going to run for office, do it because you want to. Give an elevator speech in 27 words, 9 seconds, 3 main points. Make your reason clear. The speech should be concise, confident, and sincere.

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