Community: The Foundation of Everything ???

As a panelist at the InnoTech Austin Women in Technology (AWT) Summit, I had the opportunity to explore a topic close to my heart: "Community" For me, the essence of community is embedded in the word—unity.

This unity manifests as harmony, where every member can bring their full potential to achieve shared goals. Community provides a sense of belonging and a shared dimension of identity. Aligning personal values and goals allows individuals to work together effectively toward common objectives. ??

My Communities are all different ??

Communities vary in structure, some have formal membership processes, such as donations or declarations, binding you to a set standard. For instance, my involvement in the Latine professional community, specifically as President of the Board of ALPFA Austin , showcases how communities actively collaborate to empower and elevate diverse professionals in the region. ??

My role on the Board of The SAFE Alliance , dedicated to ending violence in all forms, exemplifies how formal communities can address significant challenges through well-defined steps. ???

Other communities are loosely connected by shared interests, such as diversity and inclusion professionals like Global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in the Workplace who may be spread across different regions, countries, or the world. Although members may not always know each other personally, this community provides valuable support through a shared mission where social media has become a powerful ally for learning, and collaborating with people near and far. ??

The most powerful community is sometimes one that doesn't have a name. Actions and relationships characterize it. I participated in this panel because of Emily Gupton, MBA, PMP . We met about a year ago, and she became a connector and supporter of my mission to create Safe Spaces. I learned about her superpower to make connections for equity for all and bring together women in tech, and I became her dedicated follower and supporter, women like her remind me that alone, we might go faster, but we can go farther together. ??

InnoTech Austin: A Community of Safe Spaces ??

InnoTech Austin is a shining example of a community striving to create safe spaces. Its leader, Sean Lowery , exemplifies this by embracing the concept wholeheartedly. He took proactive measures to ensure the event was a safe environment for everyone, establishing a clear code of conduct and providing attendees with mechanisms to report any instances where they felt unsafe in real-time. This commitment to safety created a supportive atmosphere where all participants could focus on sharing knowledge and connecting without fear of harassment or exclusion. I am so grateful that SafeSpace Plus ? partnered with him and the Prospera Events team. ??

By nurturing environments that welcome and protect every individual, we set the stage for a future where diversity is celebrated and unity prevails. ???

Key Takeaways from the Panel

During the panel discussion, the insights shared reinforced that community is a powerful vehicle for flourishing. ?? Emily Gupton, MBA, PMP dedication to empowering women in tech, Lesley Robinson, PhD commitment to entrepreneurial leadership, and Tom's belief that community, collaboration, and conversation can solve most problems highlighted the importance of working together for good rather than competing. ??

Their stories fueled my desire to actively and deliberately participate in communities that resonate with my life's work. It's crucial to find these spaces that not only believe in you but that you also believe in to fulfill your goals, passions, and dreams. ?

To build such communities, it's important to:

1. Actively Seek Your People ??: Find spaces where you truly belong and feel safe to voice your thoughts and ideas.
2. Team Up for Greater Good ??: Choose collaboration over competition, understanding that our collective strength lies in unity.
3. Connect with Aligned Values ??: Identify communities that resonate with your identity and core values.
4. Be a Regular Presence ?: Consistently participate, as building connections takes time, effort, and reciprocity.
5. Engage with Purpose ??: Give your time, talent, or resources with intentionality.

By embracing these principles, we can find and nurture the communities where we truly belong.

Being in a room full of people who self-selected themselves to invest their most precious resource, TIME, thinking about and talking about community made me realize we already have a community around us striving to create more belonging. I was glad to see friends Maya Ingram and Dr. Joy Wiggins . I hope to meet everyone in that room learning about their stories and expertise Sylvie Guillon , Alyssa Langston , Camila Bicalho, ITIL v4 , Rose L. , Dr. Joy Wiggins , Oxana Mauch , Ari Lesartre, PMP, CSM Carolin Maier, CMP ??

No matter where we come from, we can always find strength in each other.