Deepening Community Changed my Life: Emanuel Jackson reflects on the value of creating an inspired network

Posted on September 13, 2016
By Devon Kerslake

I would like to share some words from Emanuel (Dupres) Jackson. Emanuel was a participant at our 2016 Deepening Community gathering that was held in the incredible city of Edmonton.

The following blog summarizes his experience in Edmonton and was also shared by the Palm Healthcare Foundation site, reposted below with permission.

"Healthier Delray Beach changed my life."

Emanuel Jackson grew up in Delray Beach and has always loved the community and the people in it. So, it’s no surprise that when Healthier Delray Beach was established in 2014, he immediately joined the steering committee. Through his involvement in the initiative, Emanuel had the opportunity to attend a Tamarack Institute workshop called “Deepening Community.” This workshop spoke to the power of relationship building – among individuals and local organizations – to create networks that can make radical change within a community and even shift culture.

Emanuel was moved by his experience at the conference and wrote a letter to Palm Healthcare Foundation expressing how it, and his involvement in Healthier Delray Beach, has changed his life:

Dear Palm Healthcare Foundation,

Last week’s trip was such an awesome experience and was truly life changing. I was able to connect and have one-on-one’s with some of the most prominent names in the collective impact world. What was surprising was the amount of interest they all had in my perspective; I was welcomed to share some of my lived experiences. This was a game changer for me and really helped me to understand how important my role is as a gatekeeper/community connector. The wisdom and advice I received from people from all over North America was priceless. Even though we come from different backgrounds, we all used certain tools that prove to be more effective than others and I have no doubt that if I apply some of the lessons I learned properly, I will impact my community profoundly.

Looking back over the past couple of years since Palm Healthcare Foundation and Healthier Delray Beach was introduced to me, I would say my life has changed completely. The relationships that I have formed with members of the steering committee and colleagues throughout the county are truly priceless. In most cases, when issues or just simple questions arise and I need an answer, I’m usually just a phone call away from a solution. These newly formed relationships, along with the opportunities to be trained, have significantly added value to me and my organization, which in turn has added strength to the Delray Beach 33444 zip code where I live and work.

Emanuel Jackson, Jr.

Founder, Emanuel Jackson Sr. Project

 

Our Deepening Community team was so moved by Emanuel's words.

For us, his experience, and his willingness to share these reflections in the letter above, truly validate why we do what we do. We know our work matters and it is wonderful to be reminded of the importance of gathering inspired people together from near and far.

We can be confident that uniting people face to face will have positive outcomes and are always beyond thrilled when it sparks the inspiration and energy for individuals to move forward with making the world a better place.

If you are reading this post- please know that YOU, like Emanuel Jackson, are an incredibly valued and integral part of our community.

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Topics:
devon kerslake, Cities Deepening Community


Devon Kerslake

By Devon Kerslake

Devon believes in the positive, transformative power of art for all communities great and small. She holds an MA in Cultural Studies with a special emphasis on Curatorial Practices. Following this degree, Devon worked for the Winnipeg Film Group supporting Canadian Independent film and for the University of Winnipeg Cultural Studies Research Group as a Project Coordinator specializing in academic learning events.

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