A Business Perspective on Social Activism with Social Media and SoLoMoCo
William Jackson, M.Ed My Quest to Teach – #MyQuestToTeach
A dynamic and engaged opportunity to understand Branding,
creating your Niche as a business owner; the foundation
of understanding the value of digital content in relation to
business and entrepreneurialism.
Applying the So-Lo-Mo-Co Concepts
So-social Lo-local Mo-mobile Co-community uses of Social
Media platforms and tools to share content and collaborate
in dynamic and engaged projects.
Business owners should be engaged with their communities
using digital platforms that are not just used for profits, but to
apply digital tools to build relationships and influence the
thinking of the community. Engagement is key, not to change
the perspectives of the community, but to empower the
community to see what changes need to be made and
providing the resources to create necessary social,
economic and educational improvements so everyone can
benefit.
In order to have a strong and stable community, businesses
should know the needs of their communities, the challenges
that are present and how they can collaborate with local
schools, ministries and even higher educational institutions.
These connections help build partnership allow for potential
internships to cultivate new talent and new innovators
and employment opportunities for youth, teens and young
adults.
Wireless communication infrastructures are important to
build connections that open collaborations and create
connections for social, educational and economic activism.
Building a Brand and creating a Niche for business minded
youth, teens and young adults. Communities are only as
stable and strong as the generations coming up. The
community only grows with the talents and availability of
youth, teens and young adults. The issue with many
communities of color is that children of color lack
exposure and mentor-ships that guide them into innovators,
creators and dreamers. When children cease to dream
this is a dangerous sign that there is a lack of vision and
passion for future creativity and contributes to communities
dying.
Social activism in bringing people together for economic
empowerment and building the I and E of Individual
Entreprenurialism. Branding and finding that Niche to
connect with, establish a digital footprint that is relevant
and realistic in the community and city.
Community workshops are important because they will
show that people of color have a vision for their communities
of color. Offering opportunities to teach, mentor, guide and
empower others. Looking at communities across the
nation there are wonderful events going on, but they lack
mentors, experts in fields of STEAM.
Malcolm X stated,
“We are not fighting for integration, nor are we fighting for
separation. We are fighting for recognition as human beings…
In fact, we are actually fighting for rights that are even greater
than civil rights and that is human rights.”
Malcolm X (Black Revolution)
Do not be scared of these words, but embrace them to
build communities of hope and purpose. Each community
is part of the body of a city, if that community begins to
die or is allowed to die the city itself weakens. Just as a
body that has eroding parts eventually the whole body is
affected.
The rights to influence the community on a path of growth,
productivity, inclusion in the economic and political process
is needed if a city is to be the influence for all.
People of color need to learn to be influencers of color so
they can increase the opportunities in their communities and
bring about a mental change of elevation and stability in
growth economically, educationally and even environmentally.
Gentrification happens over time when there is no growth,
no investments and no action to improve a community by
those in the community.
How many opportunities do youth, teens young adults see
men and women of color participate in national and international
events that do not include sports? The careers of the 21st and
22nd century are here, but kids need exposure and opportunities.
They need to participate, attend, value, engage and appreciate
new learning opportunities.
If children only see ONE side of the story they will only stay on
that ONE side. If children only see others that look like them as
labours, lower educated and lower economic status many
will accept this as normal and not try to improve their lives.
Vision is valuable, vision is memorable and vision is
generational.
Applying So – Social awareness to change in the community
using digital technologies can reach people and make
those connections. Lo – Local engagement is important
because of the influences of sponsoring, promoting and
gaining the attention of the community. Mo – Mobile technologies
that are growing and adapting for people of color and culture.
To continue to build digital infrastructures that encourage
young minds to enter into STEAM careers and grow beyond
their current economic, educational and social situations.
Co – Communities needs to see people of color that are successful,
growing, educated, employed and engaged in learning and economic
growth.
William will be part of a panel discussion at WordCamp Philly speaking
on social engagement with business and entrepreneurship. Aida Correa
will be closing the conference speaking on diversity, incivility and
a the value and importance of community.
