✨ Reflecting on Growth Through Nashman Workshops ✨
Over the past few months, I attended three thought-provoking workshops at the GW Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service, each of which provided unique insights and skills for engaging with communities, fostering social innovation, and leveraging the power of storytelling. Here's a quick recap of what I gained:
1️⃣ Entering Communities Respectfully (Sept. 18)
Led by Abimbola Ogundare, this workshop emphasized the importance of ethical and reciprocal community engagement. I deepened my understanding of how our social identities impact interactions and learned strategies to build relationships based on mutual respect. It reminded me that impactful change starts with truly listening to and understanding community needs. At this session, I was also incredibly lucky to meet the fantastic Sandhya K. who always teaches and inspires.
2️⃣ Social Innovation - How to Start? (Oct. 2)
Ayman Rahman challenged us to embrace the inertia of starting something new. This session provided actionable tools to find inspiration, understand community experiences, and turn ideas into meaningful action. It reinforced the value of starting small, staying empathetic, and building momentum toward solving complex challenges.
3️⃣ Social Innovation - Storytelling and Media (Oct. 16)
Ayman Rahman returned with a dynamic session on crafting compelling narratives. I gained a better understanding of how stories can inspire collective action and learned social media strategies to amplify messages effectively. This session reignited my passion for using storytelling to connect with diverse audiences and drive meaningful change.
These workshops have equipped me with the tools to engage communities with humility, approach problem-solving creatively, and tell stories that resonate. As I continue my journey in public administration and policy, I’m grateful for opportunities like these that refine my ability to lead with purpose and empathy. Lastly, many thanks to all the workshop presenters and coordinators! Y'all truly do important work bringing these programs to The George Washington University community.
Let’s keep learning and growing together! 💡
#CommunityEngagement #SocialInnovation #Storytelling #ProfessionalGrowth
