Environmental Design Group’s Post

Check out this touching blog by our Executive Director, Arnold Sowell Jr., about his father's remarkable track career and its impact on his own path in public policy. It's a powerful reflection on family, history, and our commitment to equity at NextGen Policy! Read Arnie's blog post at: https://lnkd.in/gh3R4e6m

Robin D. G. Kelley wrote, "Without new visions we don't know what to build. Only what to knock down." To me, it speaks to the current state of the world around us. And more so, what could be, if we were audacious enough to re-imagine the road ahead. - As a young immigrant to this country, as a first-generation college grad, and as a veteran of the United States Air Force, I've always held the belief that the future can become anything you set your mind to. And, I've attempted many times over to pursue the dreams and the passions that have captured my heart. But I've never gotten to the point where the many pathways all come together. Where everything makes sense, as if the universe had a plan all along, and that it was just a matter of me taking all those different journeys. Until now, that is. Until Austin Cheng and I met one day and discovered that our goals for a better tomorrow are so aligned that it had to be much more than mere coincidence. In a very short amount of time, Austin has helped me build our BTR TMRW platform to the point where we're preparing for the first stop of our nationwide tour. We're traveling with a group of investors to Huntsville and Nashville, with the singular goal of helping them build wealth through real estate. I'm sharing this video to introduce you to Austin. And, I'm hoping that it'll give you a better sense for who we are, both as individuals and as partners building something great on behalf of those around us. - #realestate #realestateinvestments #generationalwealth #communitydevelopment #personaldevelopment #growthmindset #leadership #btrtmrw

Today, as Americans, let's take a moment to reflect on the essence of our nation. Through conflicts and hardships, America has endured and risen, but only when guided by the collective spirit of its people. True leadership emerges when 'We The People' unite, celebrating our diversity our hope and shared experiences. Let's remember that our country is defined by its people, not just by governance or politics. It's about our principles, thoughts, and actions. Amidst complexities, the core values that shaped our nation remain true. I recently revisited a 4th of July message created for a client, which reaffirmed the timeless ideals on which America was built. Thank you to LiveView Technologies for producing this impactful content that still resonates today. #CitySafety #LiveViewTechnologies #ComprehensiveSecurity #TotalSafety #FullCoverage #SecuritySolutions #UtahJazz #RealTimeIntegration #FastDeploymentSecurity #SecureWithLiveViewTechnologies #UtahMade #AmericanIdealism

Delaware, Specifically Wilmington has the potential to become Silicon Valley EAST. We are positioned perfectly between New York and Washington DC. Our Fin Tech, chemical/hydrogen and lifesciences research and businesses WORLD RENOWED. Not only that, Delaware is a global POWERHOUSE when it comes to corporations and banking. Strong Leadership, Adaptive Education, and Access are critical for this to happen. If you have a moment, check out this 30-Minute conversation that myself and Brandon Brice had on Wilmington being best positioned to be Silicon Valley EAST. https://lnkd.in/dabJVC5Y

“Great thinkers, artists, and entrepreneurs rarely come out of nowhere. They cluster and thrive in places that attract other creative people and provide an environment that fosters and supports creative effort.” -Richard Florida from his book The Rise of the Creative Class In the final year of my master's program at American University, I am researching the intersections of arts education and community sustainability. How does an early emphasis on arts education cultivate active citizens in creative place keeping? What role does public space play in cultivating that environment?

The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor on this day in 1885. A gift from the people of France to the US. This monumental gesture symbolizes more than just friendship; it embodies the power of collaboration, the exchange of ideas, and the unyielding spirit of #progress. The L&D industry thrives on #collaboration, #knowledgesharing, and #continuousimprovement. Are we fostering #partnerships that #enhance our #learning programs? Are we open to new #perspectives that can drive #innovation? Let's build a future where the exchange of #ideas and collective #growth illuminate our path #forward, much like Lady Liberty lights the way for countless generations.

This week, I was honored to attend one of the most unexpectedly hope-filled evenings: the Center for Civic Innovation ATL's 2023 Fellowship Showcase. The hope was unexpected as the fellows this year were focused on reducing gun violence. Most fellows had loved ones directly impacted by gun violence. But hope rose in their community-based pursuit of safety and justice while pitching new, innovative proposals. Rohit Malhotra, CEO of CCI, framed the evening from the get go: "Violence is a failure of public policy. It is not an accident. It is a consequence. Here tonight is a reminder that we have hope, even when everything feels broken. That hope comes from community, from people, people who in spite of what the world tells them to be and in spite of challenges we put in their way, people who move forward with hope anyway." If they can have the courage and commitment to hope, the least that we can do is follow them, support them, and elevate their visions to a better future. One participant shared: "Pain that is not transformed will be transmitted." I would add that transformed pain is powerful. I highly recommend learning more about these great leaders and supporting their work.