Baltimore and its people are undeniably tenacious and resilient. Across this city, people are powerfully committed to a variety of programs and initiatives all dedicated to making Baltimore better. However, far too often we operate in separate silos. We identify issues that threaten our vitality and attempt to address then in isolation rather than as community. We come from different communities and have a variety of complementary approaches to how we seek to solve the challenges we face. Yet we are challenged by our collective inability to acknowledge and solve our own problems effectively in a manner that ensures enduring social transformation. It is time for a new approach. It is time to Amplify Baltimore!
Our city has experienced a dramatic population loss, shrinking public resources, and most strikingly, a lack of esteem about who we are and the gifts we possess. Everyday, we are keenly aware of the seriousness of the issues we face. From public education and public safety to workforce and economic development and access to healthy food in every community, we navigate challenges that many cities across the nation face. Frustrated by the overwhelming impact of these issues on our daily lives, we have become adept at describing our problems and assigning blame rather than becoming agents of change in our own communities. In today's culture of "what bleeds leads," we are purposely bombarded by a cacophony of voices eager to ring the alarm about social ills in a manner that lacks generativity, benevolence and compassion. It seems we have become powerless in the face of this and have forgotten that the power to create the Baltimore we want lies within our hands. On our worst day we know nothing positive ever comes from this lack of engagement and investment. Our acceptance of this culture of complaint has had a debilitating impact on our ability to thrive as a city. I know we can choose another way. Instead of disparaging Baltimore, I believe we must amplify it.
To that end, Civic Frame will host Amplify Baltimore, a series of quartely conversations that highlight how specific issues affect our city. We will provide clear paths to reasonable solutions accessible to a diverse array of citizens. We chose the name Amplify Baltimore because we believe Baltimore already has many strong voices committed in a number of different ways to making our city better. We want to turn up the volume on those voices and assemble them, like a jazz ensemble, in a manner where these distinctive elements complement one another when played together.
During this series, we will examine a number of pressing issues with a measured and critical lens. Each conversation will be comprised of decision makers, thought leaders, and everyday people and will ask us to acknowledge our history and present circumstances. Together, we will envision a number of ways we can chart the best future for the city we love. At the end of each conversation, time will be allotted for people to connect with entities and individuals who are committed to the direct action needed for our city to thrive. These conversations are not gripe sessions or an opportunity for individuals to share soliloquies about all that is wrong with Baltimore. In fact, this sort of banter which speaks against our possibility will be quickly halted. Instead, these conversations are an opportunity for us to contextualize where we have come from, where we are, and to think big about and make a commitment to how each of us can amplify what is already great about our city.
This effort began in earnest in September. It has grown to include a cross section of individuals from different walks of life, all committed to bringing their gifts to the table to make Baltimore better. During every conversation I have had about this work, I have learned about more exciting initiatives being cultivated in communities across this city. There can never be enough of them, and we hope to highlight as many of them as we can over this next year. Amplify Baltimore is about shining a light on the great things that are happening in this city and connecting people to those efforts. We are a bridge between the people of Baltimore and the resources we may or may not be aware of that will help us live better lives and embolden our communities.
I invite you to explore our full schedule. While we have secured some amazingly thoughtful and brilliant people to share their knowledge and insight on a variety of issues, we are sure there are others who are making significant contributions that we may not
know about. Feel free to send along your thoughts and suggestions. This is an open and communal process that belongs not to me or Civic Frame, but to the beautiful people of Baltimore.
There is nothing wrong with Baltimore that we cannot solve. In 2011, let us be about the business of making our city better one day at a time with all of the unique gifts we possess. Amplify Baltimore is just one of many efforts to gather people to do just that. Won't you join us?
Baltimore and its people are undeniably tenacious and resilient. Across this city, people are powerfully committed to a variety of programs and initiatives all dedicated to making Baltimore better. However, far too often we operate in separate silos. We identify issues that threaten our vitality and attempt to address then in isolation rather than as community. We come from different communities and have a variety of complementary approaches to how we seek to solve the challenges we face. Yet we are challenged by our collective inability to acknowledge and solve our own problems effectively in a manner that ensures enduring social transformation. It is time for a new approach. It is time to Amplify Baltimore!