I was once told that your pain is your passion. When the water crisis in Flint arose, it was devastating to the city. I felt, like most, that I wanted to do something to help. There was so much negative media attention swarming the issue. I can’t argue the fact that there was a lot to be upset about – the way the situation was handled, the harmed children and adults, and the setbacks that continue to surround the issues. Yes, this was indeed devastating to the residents. I went to the Community Foundation of Greater Flint and asked if I could have a round table discussion with a diverse group of people who lived in the city to listen to their stories. It was there that I personally felt the hopelessness of the many people who were suffering. While listening to them, I quickly realized they were upset by the negative press THEIR city was getting. They knew the story had to be told to receive the help needed but they did not want people to think Flint was such an awful place to live. They had PRIDE and LOVE for Flint like I had never seen. They felt a need to share with the world all the good that people were doing, they just needed the platform.
My assistant and I quickly moved forward in developing a grassroots movement… for everyone. #FlintFwd was the vehicle created through social media to share information and to spread hope and good vibes. At the time, there were many controversial social media outlets so #FlintFwd had one rule, to be positive. It became the voice that shined a positive light on the beauty of the human spirit, and how people from around the world were reaching out to help those in need. I am proud of what it stands for and that people are still embracing the good. I never wanted this platform to take away from what the people in Flint are going through, but rather highlight the positive things people are doing to create a better future. Hope is powerful and can be transformational. Be inspired to take action when someone is in need. Whether its big or small, we can all make a difference. I believe when you find your pain, you will know where to put your energy and find fulfillment in making a difference. To find out more on how you can get involved go to Flintfwd.org
No Comments