The Connected Community Initiative (CCI) bridges the digital divide through intergenerational conversations. This initiative is a space for members of the West Philadelphia community to discuss the social implications of modern technology. A diverse group of community members of all ages will explore community mobilization, polarization, and more pressing social issues influenced by technology. They will also have the opportunity to investigate solutions to the challenges posed by technology. The CCI aims to strengthen community bonds, reduce social isolation, and empower individuals of all ages to navigate the digital world confidently and purposefully. 

Over the past six months, Chloe has developed partnerships with local community organizations. She has met with the Writers Room, a community literary arts program centered on diverse intergenerational relationships. She has also spoken with the Digital Navigators at Drexel University, an organization providing technological support to the West Philadelphia community. Her mentor, Carol McDuffy, has played a key role in the planning process. These partnerships will be crucial to the success of the CCI. 
 
Chloe has attended multiple events hosted by the Writers Room to understand better community organizing through an intergenerational lens.

These discussions have helped her connect with the older generation in a new way. These conversations on topics such as “What does it mean to be a neighbor?” have transformed her perspective on older people and the West Philadelphia community.

One major highlight of the project has been Chloe’s growing closer to the West Philadelphia community. As a college student from Maryland, she is a guest in Philadelphia and was not as involved in the local community during her first year of college.

Throughout the development of the CCI, she has met numerous inspiring people who embody Philadelphia’s beautiful spirit.

It was initially challenging for Chloe to determine the appropriate scope of the CCI. She considered launching it throughout Philadelphia at different locations in the city. However, she decided to begin with a small-scale program in West Philadelphia and expand as she grew. This will ensure the project receives community feedback and meets Philadelphia’s needs. 

Chloe will launch the CCI over the next six months. It will begin with a smaller gathering of local community members and then expand to the broader Philadelphia community. Progress checks will also be conducted to collect feedback for potential future expansion.

I look forward to one day expanding across the nation and the world.

A Year in Reflection

Six months after launching the Connected Community Initiative, Chloe reflects on a year of meaningful conversations, community connection, and lessons learned.

Some of the successes and highlights include the “Sentimental Tech” workshop and the intergenerational relationships throughout the project. During the workshop, community members were asked to bring or describe their favorite memory with a piece of technology. The conversation ranged from Walkmans and cassette tapes to iPod Touches and VR headsets. Many shared how they marveled at these pieces of technology as a child and grew to have conflicting relationships with technology as an adult.

Technology has both united and polarized our society.

One challenge was publicity. Chloe initially found it challenging to spread the word, but she soon realized a more intimate gathering was more suitable for the raw conversations within the Connected Community Initiative.

The Connected Community Initiative reached its goal of hosting intergenerational conversations about digital wellness. Over 30 community members attended and shared intimate conversations about technology. For instance, one 10-year-old girl talked about the reality of cyberbullying at her school, while various community members shared words of support and advice from their years of experience.

The Connected Community Initiative serves as a home for the difficult yet important conversations in our changing world.

The project hosted three pilot sessions with over ten community members each. Each session of 5–15 participants was hosted over a shared meal, facilitating a warm and welcoming environment. Chloe is beyond thrilled to launch a new series of sessions over the next few months.

The differences between people are the nuances that bring a community together.

As a new member of the Philadelphia community, the Connected Community Initiative introduced Chloe to people from an array of beautifully diverse backgrounds. Chloe is excited to continue creating spaces for all kinds of people to collaborate and convene.

If she could do anything differently, Chloe would consider creating digital wellness workshops specifically for children and young people. She learned that young people are uniquely impacted by growing up in a digital-first world.

The absolute best part of being a champion was the community Chloe found. She built irreplaceable relationships within Philadelphia and the broader Knight Emerging City Champion community. Chloe is thrilled to grow these relationships for a lifetime. Partnerships with the Writers Room and Drexel Digital Navigators were essential, and Carol McDuffy was an especially important mentor and friend.

Chloe is excited to expand her digital wellness workshops into even more cities and hopes to cultivate compassionate and curious communities for generations to come.

About Chloe Mshana

Chloe Mshana is a student passionate about digital wellness. At age fourteen, she founded @mentalitymasterpiece, an Instagram community of 6,000+ people passionate about digital well-being. Chloe is also a former member of the Youth Advisory Board for the Making Caring Common initiative at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. For her advocacy, she was recently featured in a film by Discovery Education. Chloe currently attends Drexel University, where she studies International Business. She is excited to bridge her passions for community organizing and digital wellness throughout her career.  

Follow Chloe: @mentalitymasterpiece