iFp NEWS
The Changing Same, Damnit!
A few weeks ago, I saw a documentary called “The Changing Same.” Google it. It’s pretty intense. As I read this past weekend’s Boston Globe, the title continued to bounce around in my head. Over the past 7 years, the Globe has written the same article “Cambridge the tale of two cities” at least four times. The reporter could have saved some time by simply linking to the past articles and giving it a better headline - The Changing Same, Damnit!
This month iFp celebrates our 7th anniversary. We have been in Cambridge long enough to understand the problems. However, not long enough that we can’t see it with fresh eyes. Here are a few of our insights:
Issue #1 I’m not sure when the transition happens, but at some point, Cambridge residents and community members begin confusing countless committees, meetings and planning sessions with taking action.
“An entrepreneur is someone who jumps off a cliff and builds a plane on the way down.” - Reid Hoffman
Issue #2 - In spite of the Globe repeatedly beating the drum, few outside of Cambridge realize that this “famously diverse and progressive” city has such problems. When we first started iFp, we learned that some foundations do not support organizations in Cambridge. Here is feedback from a recent proposal:
“While the committee felt it is a great program idea, they observed it is focused in the well-funded Cambridge / Somerville school system, and thought this type of program would be more impactful if broader in reach to locations of even greater need.”
Clearly, some do not believe that the great divide exist. After all, Cambridge is home to Harvard, MIT and the most innovative square mile on the planet. The question is - is this problem sexy enough to be solved in house? While that’s being debated, we have found a few supporters inside and outside of Cambridge. This leads to #3.
Issue #3 I find it interesting how the Globe reporters, so desperate for a glimmer of hope write “so and so” donated $x to “so an so.” The contribution noted was much higher than in the 2014 article. Progress, at least. However, until the conversation shifts from charitable giving to structural change connected to a line item on a budget - the Globe will continue re-spinning the same old story.
iFp is without a doubt part of the solution. Now if we could be written into a budget or two - we could give the Globe something else to write about!
Our Mission
Innovators for Purpose (iFp) unearths high-potential diverse young people, build their sense of belonging, cultivate their identity as innovators and spark motivation to continuously learn new skills to succeed in the innovation economy.
Equally, we bring awareness within the innovation community that with sufficient nurturing, their desired inclusive talent pool is in its midst clamoring for a path forward.
We develop tools, experiences, and living pathways that forge authentic relationships that spawn incredible opportunities for our youth.
We are working towards building an inclusive, future ready workforce comprised of purpose-driven young people whose work transform lives (most importantly their own).
Cambridge a Tale of Two Cities
Two tales on city: The Port sits in the shadow of Moderna and Pfizer
Area Four residents live in the shadow of the future
A tale of two cities in Cambridge
Different Headline Same Problem
Cambridge high school struggles with equal access to AP classes
Michael K. Dawson, Co-Founder & CEO Innovators for Purpose
Hire Our Teen-Powered Design & Innovation Studio: iFp Studios
Building an Inclusive, Future Ready Workforce
Groundbreaking Augmented Reality Exhibit to Open in Joan Lorentz Park
Contact: Muna Kangsen, Manager of Communications, Programs, and Events.
Ph. 857-235-9809 or mkangsen@cambridgema.gov
For Immediate Release
Groundbreaking Augmented Reality Exhibit to Open in Joan Lorentz Park
Cambridge, MA, October 30, 2020 --- The Cambridge Public Library STEAM Academy will launch a groundbreaking augmented reality (AR) exhibit examining systemic racism on Thursday, November 5, at Joan Lorentz Park in front of the Main Library. Titled This Should Not Be, the exhibition will enable community members to engage in an immersive, augmented reality experience that examines systemic racism particularly in the United States and in light of the coronavirus epidemic. Walking through Joan Lorentz Park, participants will encounter several display cubes. To access the AR component, they must download and open the free Hoverlay app on their smartphones. When they are in range of one of the display cubes, a digital display will appear in the application, enhancing the physical space of the park with virtual images and video content.
This Should Not Be is a first for the Library, for Cambridge, and it is also groundbreaking in the field of augmented reality worldwide. “This breakthrough technology and resource is a brilliant way to engage residents on social justice issues and systemic racism,” said Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui of the exhibit. “I’m incredibly proud that our young people from the Cambridge Public Library’s STEAM Academy led the way in creating this critical exhibition, and I can’t wait to experience it.”
“I am excited that the Cambridge Public Library is hosting this exhibition, which explores racism using AR technology,” said Dr. Maria McCauley, Director of Libraries for the City of Cambridge. “I hope this exhibition will inspire us to think not only about how we can deploy technology to address structural racism in our country but also how to make technology more accessible to our community members.”
Inspired by America’s racial reckoning following high-profile incidents of brutal violence against George Floyd and many others, the exhibit results from a STEAM Academy project that required the young designers to develop an answer to the question, “How might we awaken people to the injustices in our society and inspire them to help us create a world that we ALL can believe in?” The project went from concept to implementation in five months with support from world-class instructors, powerful computers loaned from the Library, and community feedback offered through formal design reviews.
About the exhibit, Hoverlay co-founder and CEO Nicolas Robbe remarks, “For the first time, a public space hosts a digital overlay, not created by professionals, but directly by members of the community - teens nonetheless, to share their vision about social issues.”
STEAM Academy, a partnership between the Library and Innovators for Purpose (iFp) launched in January 2020 to offer high-quality immersive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) learning opportunities to youth and emerging adults. Funding for the STEAM Academy is provided by the City of Cambridge’s Office of Workforce Development, Cambridge Trust, Cambridge Public Library Foundation, the Margret and H.A Rey Curious George Fund, Eric and Jane Nord Family Fund, and Verizon.
The STEAM Academy is an important element of the Cambridge STEAM Initiative, a partnership between the City’s Department of Human Service Programs, the Cambridge Public Library and Cambridge Public Schools. The Cambridge STEAM Initiative is committed to creating, enhancing, and expanding equitable access to quality STEAM learning experiences from birth to adulthood.
Michael Dawson, co-founder and iFp CEO says this project is the most complex topic his designers have ever addressed stating, “Our young people have been up to the challenge by researching and discussing this topic. Now, they better understand the problem and have strong views on how to create a more equitable country.” He adds, “In addition to the complex subject matter, this human-centered design project incorporates cutting edge technology including augmented reality, sonification (making meaning of data with sound), data visualization, and 3D animation.”
Media Contact:
Muna Kangsen, Manager of Communications, Programs and Events
Office: 857-235-980
Mobile: 617-461-3708
Email: mkangsen@cambridgema.gov
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About the Cambridge Public Library:
At the Cambridge Public Library, we welcome all, inspire minds and empower community. We support a Cambridge where everyone has equitable opportunities to learn, people live their best lives, and democracy thrives. During the Covid-19 health crisis we are offering a variety of programs and services. Visit our website to learn more.
