VIVA NOLA May 2019

We Are Stronger Together
By Alejandra Guzman
@aleguzman
Last Fall, I was honored take part in
an intimate dinner and conversation
organized by the Aspen Institute. This
took place in the context of a movement
called “Weave: The Social Fabric Project”.
The project was launched during the
summer of 2018 under the premise that
social isolation and political, racial and
economic divisions are ripping America
apart.
Aspen’s leaders believe that social
fragmentation is a core challenge of our
day. They also recognize that across
the United States there are people
building communities and healing
divides. Therefore, they organized a
listening tour, consisting of multiple
events, across the country to document
examples and understand the world
view of participants and to celebrate
their accomplishments.
in our city. We enjoyed a conversation
with artists, musicians, real estate
developers, teenage activists, nonprofit
founders, and many others.
All of them work to rebuild trust and
overcome issues of isolation and
loneliness for people in New Orleans, in
their own way.
It was inspiring to interact with people of
different ages, political views, racial and
religious beliefs, and professional and
socioeconomic backgrounds working
on issues that benefit our community
from their diverse perspectives. I was
proud to see New Orleans is home to
so many leaders who view community
as the fundamental unit in society and
who find serving others meaningful.
They act on a moral motivation and seek
to do what is right regardless of their
backgrounds.
The listening tour highlighted solutions
in different communities across the
country that are working well and are
advancing towards collective impact. The
New Orleans event brought together
a group of 20 impressive community
leaders who focus on different issues
Viva NOLA Magazine - Page 8