by S. Rotan Hale
A mini-conference billed as “Winter X” was held Friday, March 20 in the ballroom of Patrick Henry Hotel in downtown Roanoke. The well-attended daylong event hosted by CityWorks Xpo originator Ed Walker was an offshoot of the 4-day conference held annually in October for several years.
Yet much like the parent event, Winter X created an opportunity for a sizable group of area professionals and other concerned citizens to engage in an ongoing conversation about a host of issues critical to the future development of Roanoke as the progressive and diverse city it purports to be.
Roanoke City Senior Planner Frederick Gusler was among the city officials who spoke regarding the city’s economic and cultural atmosphere.
“We’re not one of the dynamic areas that is at the cutting edge and always jumping on the latest trends immediately. We are, quite frankly, often a follower of trends and I’m comfortable with that,” said Gusler. “We’re not a dynamic economy but we are a diverse economy.” In closing he complemented Roanoke for having a “friendly culture” and a “good balance” regarding local government and its proclivity to progressive change.
Gusler’s comments created the perfect opportunity for the host, who–reflecting from personal experience as a lawyer and developer–dealing with zoning ordinances and politics, said, “There is a threshold requirement for regeneration that is good government… and it is incredibly difficult to get any traction without good government. As an example Walker said, “To have the wrong people running the city’s building department can make it (well-balanced city development) impossible.
Another element Walker mentioned as being essential for balance, was a good and just police department and he referred to Roanoke City Police Chief Perkins as “awesome.”
Boldly taking the conversation to a different level, the host dived head on into the issue of race and focused on what he termed “the level of excellence in engagement,”–the concept of respectful and intensified ethnic interaction. “Because the species doesn’t do it (automatically) we have to go out and intentionally find ways to make friends with people from radically different backgrounds from our own,” he said and emphasized the concept as a means of power.
Before opening the floor to questions, he capped his comments saying, “We have to find other sources of power to fuel our transformation and cooperation plays a huge part.”
Brad Stevens, raised several issues he believes as critical to building strong and resilient communities. “Financial capital is great but you’re not building community unless you engage in bridging and bonding through social capital…uniting people from different neighborhoods and different levels of power.” he said.
Stevens is a key component behind the Big Lick Soup Project recently held at 16 West in downtown Roanoke. The extremely innovative event centered around several contestants who pitched their projects before an audience dining on soup that later voted on who would win financial support for their respective project.
Jerel Rhodes, a guidance counselor at Forest Park school won big securing over $1,800 for his group of young male scholars, better known as the Renaissance Academy. During his comments at the conference, Rhodes spoke briefly of how the winnings will help fund the Academy’s upcoming college tour to Atlanta.
Rhodes also took great pride in briefly telling the story of the spirit and vision that led him to create the group. “You have to give kids options…There’s no need in looking at the undercurrent of the youth culture and condemning it if we are not creating positive options for them,” he urged.
Another speaker, Angela Campbell spoke of her experiences with diversity in personal relationships and in corporate America regarding her job as circulation director at The Roanoke Times. The Detroit, MI, native referred to Roanoke as “quaint and beautiful” but also said it was not very easy to network and connect here.
During her engaging presentation, Campbell introduced several key elements to building deep relationships. She emphasized how connecting with individuals means first “acknowledging who they are as a person… and then accepting them as who they are.” Based on people telling her (with complementary intentions) they don’t see color when they look at her, she said, “When looking at me, if you don’t see color then you don’t see me. That is a part of who I am.”
Campbell also recounted a gratifying experience of bonding with a coworker who as a native from a small town in West Virginia, had little prior interaction with African Americans. Their relationship turned into a rewarding friendship that led to a dinner party involving both families. “Our families talked and our children played and we built a relationship that extended way beyond just the two of us,” said Campbell whose account was the perfect example of community building at its best.
One of the most compelling presentations of the conference came from Jeff May a motivator and educator at Westside Elementary School in northwest Roanoke. Speaking proudly as their coach, May delivered a dynamic speech that was all about 10 of his 800 kids, who make up the Westside Debaters. The group is one of a few elementary school debate teams in the country. Speaking on several common perceptions that these kids don’t fit, May said, “they don’t look like the type of kids that make history but when you put them on stage and give them a microphone, you need to sit down and get ready to learn something.”
Over and over he cited incredible facts regarding the accomplishments and attributes of his band of scholars. His impassioned testimonial received a much-deserved standing ovation.
The success of a vibrant one-day event as this can undeniably be measured by the cultural progress made–going forward. Whether one came away equipped with a new perspective or a revitalized outlook on an old one–much credit must be given to the efforts and spirit of the many conscientious contributors and facilitators of such great events as Winter X.
