Innovators for Purpose Gaining Momentum in Kendall
The momentum is building, but who knew it would take eight years? iFp was founded in March 2014. Six months later, the Boston Globe published an article “Area 4 residents live in the shadow of the future.” This wasn’t the first article about “Cambridge as a tale of two cities” and hasn’t been the last. Several of the articles are linked here.
Following release of the 2014 article, we talked to every Kendall Square company listed. Since Innovators for Purpose was founded to address the very same problem discussed in article, we expected serious engagement. It would be mostly crickets for the next three years.
The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority would be the first Kendall Square organization to respond in a tangible way. The result is the iconic Looking Glass sculpture in Galaxy Park. The Looking Glass brings to light some of the amazing history in Kendall. Although that was our goal, there was a deeper meaning for us.
When we first started iFp, young people talked about feeling invisible and disconnected from the larger community. There was no sense of belonging outside of the few blocks surrounding their home. Kendall Square? Why would we go there? Walking through Kendall Square might still feel foreign for many Cambridge youth. However, at least in Galaxy Park, iFp students have a new feeling.
The Looking Glass has become one of the most photographed objects in Kendall. Hundreds of memories are commemorated with selfies in front of the Looking Glass. Just like the tech and science companies, our teens have created value in Kendall. Our teens see themselves as innovators and problem solvers. No different than any other innovator or problem solver in Kendall.
Hanging out in Galaxy Park, Kendall Square - just because
MIT would be the next in KSQ to support our work. We have an incredible installation resulting from our partnership coming this Spring. The installation will recognize the inventive spirit of Kendall in an inclusive manner.
Future Home of our next installation
We received our third STEM education grant from Akamai this year. Several years ago, we took our students on a guided tour of Kendall. During the tour, students learned about Danny Lewin, co-founder of Akamai. Danny was killed aboard American Airlines Flight 11, while attempting to foil its highjacking on September 11, 2001. On occasion, we hang out in Danny Lewin Park. Interestingly, we now have a couple students interested in Cyber Security - one of Akamai’s product lines.
Last year I was invited to join the Kendall Square Association Board of Directors. First thing I did was to double check my LinkedIn profile. Yes, my description of being a Status Quo Agitator was still there. I can only assume they did their due diligence :) The increased visibility has been great for iFp.
Our most exiting new partnership over the past year has been with Microsoft. They have agreed to be the lead partner on our next iteration of the 2 Blocks project. The project delves into an educational system that is only working for a few - resulting in small percentage of Cambridge K-12 educated residents being able to access the tremendous opportunities in Kendall. We are looking forward to doing more with Microsoft especially around Computer Science education.
In the early days, we talked about creative problem solving and human centered design, but was asked about science experiments. It is our belief that you must expose and engage, then educate and empower. That’s if you are attempting to broaden the pipeline, not enrich the current narrow and leaky one.
Our approach is working. iFp alum can now be found on college campuses studying to become designers, researchers, computer scientists, engineers, scientists and business leaders.
There are many missing logos from the image above. If you work for a company that can get on board with
our theory of change: to expose and engage, then educate and empower
as well as
our mission: to broaden the pipeline of skilled young people pursuing high-impact college and career pathways
let’s talk.