Christopher L. Johnson, MA’s Post

🗣️ Debating isn't just arguing - it's our way to smash social mobility stereotypes and get students on the path to a glittering career! Last week we had the pleasure of partnering with Debate Mate to welcome students from St George's Senior School into our office for an energetic day of debating, creativity, and hands-on learning. Led by our L&D team Polly Boardman Chartered MCIPD and Patrick Tola Oladapo, our staff got the students engaged in lively discussions on current issues like reality TV, the voting age, and the value of extracurricular activities. They went head-to-head, addressing a real-world issue: homelessness. The winning pitch proposed converting empty properties into shelters, supported by the local community. We also gave them a taste of our recruitment, communications, and finance roles in interactive workshops: 😰 a playful look at 'how not to interview' 🐔 🤳 creating a TikTok marketing campaign for Frontier Fried Chicken 🕺 💃 planning a prom on a budget By sharing our career journeys and offering advice on topics like GCSEs, travelling, and overcoming setbacks, we hoped to inspire these young minds. For our team, it was a chance to reconnect with fresh perspectives and remember what it was like making these decisions at a young age! With our commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, we want to make economics accessible to all and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups. Partnering with Debate Mate, who improve social mobility by tackling educational disadvantage, is another way we hope to make a difference for some of our most deprived local communities. 👉 Learn more about our social impact and #ESG work at Frontier: https://okt.to/RHIBjz #DebateMate #DebateSkills #FutureLeaders #CareerInspiration

How did you end up on your career path? Through careful planning? Education or training? Just happenstance? Denise Scott and I have been thinking a great deal about these questions, as Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the Citi Foundation continue to strategize ideas promoting equity and opportunity. Read a new New York Daily News editorial, where we discuss our thoughts on this issue and create a positive ripple effect that extends beyond any one organization or neighborhood. https://lnkd.in/emaAEqcm 

Welcome to Sparkhill. So apparently, I’m a product of a “no-go area” 🤔 In light of recent comments made by a certain MP, labelling Sparkhill, my neighbourhood, as a “no-go area”, I felt compelled to share my perspective. Not really one to delve too much into politics, especially here on LinkedIn. But this particular assertion touched a nerve. Such remarks can undermine community cohesion and exacerbate divisions, at a time when unity is more crucial than ever. It's disappointing to see certain areas misrepresented, fostering unnecessary fear and skepticism. I’m not here to stir up any debates. I just wanted to shed a little light on this “no-go area”. Firstly, I am immensely proud to hail from one of the UK's most diverse communities. Sparkhill's vibrancy and welcoming spirit have significantly shaped my worldview. Growing up amidst such diversity has developed my understanding of people. I’ve fostered a deep appreciation for individuals from all cultures and backgrounds. And honestly speaking, I don’t think I’d be as open minded as I am today, had I not served my apprenticeship in life…in this “no-go area”. Is it perfect? Absolutely not ❌ Does it have its challenges? 100% ✅ Yet, it's disheartening when these challenges are highlighted without acknowledging the efforts to overcome them. Instead of casting aspersions, it would be more productive to support and commend the work of our local services, community organisations, youth initiatives, as well as the many hidden heroes contributing to our community's vibrancy. For those skeptical about Sparkhill, I personally invite you for a guided tour. I’d be more than happy to show you around. Us Brummies are a friendly bunch you know 😉 We’ve got the best food, our high streets are full of life, local businesses are thriving, and if you need a trim after work, my barber is open till 10pm💈 Whether you’re in the mood for a Sudanese Coffee, the freshest Baklava going, or a good old cheese & onion pasty - we’ve got it covered! Sparkhill, much like the rest of Brum, has so much to offer. It really is time for those in Westminster to stop the nonsense slurs, stop perpetuating Islamophobic myths, and experience the real world. And in the meantime, we’ll continue to applaud our community and city's achievements, and we’ll continue to foster a more inclusive society. Hope everyone has a blessed week. ✌🏽💙 #communityimpact #diversityandinclusion #lovebrum

“We’ve found that diverse founders are not just about building a business, they’re all about ‘how can we impact society in a positive way?’ Those are the types of businesses we need to be supporting, because we’re facing so many challenges, not just as a country but as a world.” ^ That was our CEO Emma Joy Obanye in The Times today. The article shines a spotlight on our OneTech alumni Trudie Fell of BelleVie | B Corp™, who is revolutionising social care with a community-based model, and Kike Oniwinde Agoro's BYP Network, which connects Black professionals globally, challenging corporate diversity norms. These two founders exemplify what we've always known at OneTech. Diverse entrepreneurs don't just build businesses - they solve critical societal problems.But here's the kicker—all-women teams received less than 2% of UK VC funding last year, and for Black female founders, it was a mere 0.14% over the past decade. This isn't just a diversity issue. It's a catastrophic missed opportunity for innovation and economic growth. At OneTech, we're tackling this head-on. There is no fluff or jargon—just practical support, genuine connections, and real opportunities for underrepresented founders. Thank you to Richard Tyler and Naomi Ackerman for giving these founders the spotlight they deserve. Want to know more? Read the full article here:  https://lnkd.in/eN-85BZb

"What's in a home? Bridging generational divides through housing" - new blog out 🚀 👇 On a personal level, genuine, sustained, and powerful friendships with people outside of my generation have shaped my life, values, and outlook… but not everyone is so lucky. Many individuals my age have almost no interaction with older people outside of immediate family - or even know their neighbours. I believe that integration across traditional silos, such as age groups, must be a vital focus for a country burdened by an obsession with the ‘nuclear family’, which has led to chronic loneliness and increasing reliance on professionals for emotional attachment. My Fellowship will explore how intentional housing innovations can foster belonging, and the ways in which design can enable relationships to flourish 👇 🌻 Welcoming all and any connections!

We're excited to launch The Circle of Actions, a seven-month learning opportunity for communities to develop plans and interventions to tackle the crises of loneliness, rising polarization, disconnection, and growing social and economic inequities. We approach this work with curiosity and intentionality. Some of the questions that we're holding include: 💫 Who do we choose to be amidst uncertainty and disconnection between ourselves and our neighbours? 🌱 How can we build more equitable, inclusive, and connected communities for all living beings? 💖 What does it take to build resilient, place-based, multi-sectoral collaboratives that cultivate a strong sense of belonging reported by everyone in our communities? 💪 How are our communities already fostering belonging, and what conditions are needed to amplify and sustain this? 🔭 How can we create next-generation social infrastructure that is rooted in our collective gifts and creates a strong sense of shared purpose? The deadline to apply is February 29. More info: https://lnkd.in/e9imqGkB Reach out if you have questions and join Prachir Pasricha and I for a Q&A session on February 7 (12:00 pm ET). Register here: https://lnkd.in/ejn93R3A #RightToBelong #equitableoutcomes #buildingbelonging Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement Prachir Pasricha Astrid Arumae Jaime Stief Danya Pastuszek Ruté Ojigbo Liz Weaver Lisa Attygalle Heather Keam Justin Williams Sylvia Cheuy Sonja Miokovic Mike Des Jardins Angelina M. Cissé (Pelletier) Rochelle Ignacio Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness Deb Wisniewski (she/her)

It is with great enthusiasm that we announce Wolwedans as the winner of the Impact Award in the Community category. Central to Wolwedans’ ethos is its prioritization of people. This ethos is manifested in vocational training initiatives, desert-centric economic projects, and inculcating a values-driven ethos among its personnel. By nurturing personal growth and providing avenues for advancement, Wolwedans aims to create a ripple effect of positivity, enhancing local communities and setting a global benchmark. Wolwedans addresses societal upliftment through active community engagement. Fostering equitable working conditions, fostering positive local relationships, supporting social initiatives, promoting social responsibility, and bolstering small and medium enterprises are among its primary endeavors. Wolwedans aspires to elevate the quality of life within the community, underscoring its unwavering belief in the fundamental right to basic needs fulfillment and the enhancement of overall well-being. See the full list of finalists: https://lnkd.in/duWbrZJ4

The Power of Our Community: WE Today, we wanted to share a fundamental truth that lies at the heart of our company, "We Study, We Grow" - the importance of community a.k.a. WE. Communities provide a unique foundation for growth and success. They are places where ideas are born, where support is readily available, and where collective knowledge thrives. Here's why we are so passionate about building and nurturing our "We Study, We Grow" community: - Support System: In our community, we find support, encouragement, and motivation. We celebrate each other's wins and offer a helping hand during challenging times. - Knowledge Sharing: Knowledge is power, and within our community, we have a wealth of expertise to tap into. Sharing insights, experiences, and best practices elevates us all. - Networking: Building meaningful connections is essential for students. Our community serves as a powerful networking platform, connecting us with like-minded individuals and potential partners. - Innovation: The synergy within our community fuels innovation. Collaboration sparks creativity and leads to groundbreaking solutions. - Collective Growth: As "We Study, We Grow," so does our community. Together, we create a ripple effect of positive change, not only for ourselves but for those around us. Let's keep nurturing and expanding our "We Study, We Grow" community because together, we're not just building a company; we're creating a movement that empowers individuals to grow! Let’s grow together! #CommunityBuilding #Community #WeStudyWeGrow #EducationMatters #TogetherWeSucceed

Exciting News: 🌟 🏰 We're on a mission to build more than just a theme park. We envision a living history museum that not only tells the stark truths about our past but also paves the way for a brighter future, creating a 💲1 billion impact in each community we touch. This ambitious project aims to generate jobs, offer trade classes, and champion industries like entertainment, retail, and real estate, all while constructing affordable housing communities around the parks. 🌱 Will you join our grassroots movement to address and heal from America’s haunted past? This is more than a business venture; it's a heartfelt mission to enrich, educate, entertain, and confront systemic issues head-on. 🚀 Our bold plan includes a request to the City of Taylor for 100 acres, transforming it into a beacon of learning, healing, and unity. But to bring this vision to life, we need YOUR support. 💬 We're kickstarting a grassroots movement to rally support far and wide. Help us by sharing our story and the profound implications of our project. 👩👩👦👦 As someone deeply affected by the criminal justice system, I'm calling on you to support our cause. By spreading the word through your platforms and email lists, you'll not only raise awareness but also help us gather the momentum needed for a project that promises significant economic, educational, and cultural benefits. 💡 As we aim to grow into a 💲1 billion company, our goal is clear: to support and fund organizations like yours, vital to our community's progress and well-being. This isn't just a call for support; it's a commitment that as we flourish, we'll be a key funding source for your initiatives, fostering a cycle of positive impact and growth. 🤝 I believe in the transformative power of community and collective action. Your early support could be the spark that ignites our journey towards shared goals and dreams. 🙏 Thank you for considering this. Let's chat about how we can collaborate and make a difference together. For more info or any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. #HauntedTexas #CommunityImpact #InnovationInEducation #SustainableDevelopment #UnityInDiversity #GrassrootsMovement #ChangeMakers #LegacyBuilding Let's make history together! 🌍✨

What I Learned In High School. If you want to thrive in this new way of living, you’ve got to be an organism and an organization that is always growing and changing. That requires meeting the needs of your community and identifying opportunities. Not just holding tight to what’s always been. #ContinuousGrowth #CommunityNeeds #ThrivingInChange https://lnkd.in/eQNDwU-q