Scratchwerk ^EDU

Conversation with Charles Griggs - The OG's Playbook on Community Leadership

What does it take to create lasting community change? For Charles Griggs, Director of Community Initiatives in Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan's office, the answer lies at the intersection of experience, empathy, and strategic advocacy. In this candid conversation, Griggs shares insights from his journey through media, marketing, public health, and public service. As the architect behind the relaunch of Jacksonville Journey Forward – a comprehensive initiative addressing crime prevention and community engagement – he brings a uniquely holistic perspective to some of today's most pressing challenges. "If you don't understand how the machine works, you can't effectively change it," Griggs explains, cutting through the noise of well-intentioned but often ineffective advocacy efforts. With a refreshing blend of historical awareness and forward-thinking pragmatism, he challenges listeners to move beyond simply identifying problems toward developing data-driven, community-supported solutions. The discussion takes a powerful turn when examining narratives around Black boys and men. Drawing from his role as a board member for National 100 Black Men of America, Griggs articulates how exposure and opportunity create pathways for better choices. "Young people don't know what they don't know," he observes, underscoring the importance of intergenerational mentorship during times of social change and uncertainty. Whether you're engaged in community work, interested in effective advocacy, or simply trying to make sense of complex social challenges, Griggs offers a masterclass in how principled leadership can bridge divides and create meaningful impact. Listen in and discover why information isn't just power – it's the foundation for transformational change. Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2355334/open_sms]

Werk Week News Update - PwC AI Agents, ChatGPT Memories & the Future of Wharton Business

We explore three major AI developments reshaping business and technology: PWC's new Agent OS platform, ChatGPT's memory feature, and Wharton School of Business's new AI major. • PWC launches AgentOS, a $1 billion platform helping businesses deploy enterprise-level AI agents • ChatGPT's new memory feature allows it to recall user preferences and past interactions • Wharton School of Business announces a new major in artificial intelligence and business starting fall 2024 Please don't forget to follow and like us on Spotify, Apple or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2355334/open_sms]

Werk Week News Update - Smart Health, Smart Meetings, Smart Glasses

Tech giants are pushing boundaries with AI in healthcare, meeting participation, and augmented reality wearables. These advancements signal a fundamental shift in how we interact with technology in our daily lives. • Apple developing Project Mulberry, an AI health companion aimed at replicating primary care physician functions through iPhones and Apple Watches • Otter.ai has launched a voice assistant that actively participates in meetings by speaking and responding to questions in real-time • Meta revealed details about upcoming $1,000 smart glasses featuring voice control, real-time translation, and AR overlays Please follow and like us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcast. Until next time, keep up the Scratchwerk, keep building. Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2355334/open_sms]

Conversation with Marsha Oliver - The Power of Presence, Purpose & Public Relations

What does true representation look like in spaces where you're not expected? Marsha Oliver, Senior Vice President of Community and Public Engagement at the PGA Tour, takes us on a journey that challenges conventional thinking about career paths, community impact, and authentic leadership. Tia Leathers and Ronnie King join Marsha in a conversation as Oliver recounts her life-changing experience in South Africa just two years after apartheid ended, the philosophy that guided her controversial decision to serve as spokesperson for Republican Mayor Lenny Curry and how she's helping direct a $100 million commitment from the PGA Tour to underrepresented communities. Between heartfelt stories about generational differences in approaching discrimination and candid reflections on the current "crisis" surrounding DEI initiatives, Oliver leaves us with a message that resonates with anyone who's ever felt like an outsider yet chosen to show up anyway: "Your biggest accomplishment is the ability to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you someone else." Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2355334/open_sms]

Collectively Uncomfortable : How Communities Turn Risk Into Reward

Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable has become something of a personal development mantra, but what happens when we apply this principle to our communities?  Many of us believe our communities are "so close" to breakthrough – but can this perspective be keeping us in comfortable patterns that limit real progress. The truth? We might not be as close as we think, and the path forward may require more significant disruption than we're currently willing to embrace. What might collective discomfort look like? What does it mean to risk it all for progress?  The goal isn't just personal advancement but creating a future where the next generation starts with "billion-dollar problems" instead of struggling with the same challenges we face today. Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2355334/open_sms]