When we saw a need for a space for the community to talk about economic development and the Navy Hill proposal we weren’t sure what the response from the development group or our elected officials would be. All we knew was this conversation needed to start. (1/9) 🧜🏻♀️
Without hesitation @ChelseaWiseRVA agreed to facilitate the discussion & the RSVPs started rolling in. We were pleasantly surprised when we saw one of the first RSVPs was @jeffkelleyrva whose company is contracted to do the communications for the Navy Hill proposal. (2/9) 🧜🏻♀️
We saw they posted about the event from their Facebook page as well. To be honest, we didn’t know where that interaction would go. In the days that led up to the event, the development team also reached out to set up a meeting with the organizers and facilitator. (3/9) 🧜🏻♀️ 
As we went around the room for introductions, Jeff introduced himself and his connection to the project. He didn’t speak or jump in. He did take a lot of notes and pictures of some slides. (4/9) 🧜🏻♀️
I give you all that backstory to say... today was that meeting they contacted us for. We just finished the meeting with Grant Neely, Mark Kronenthal, Patrice Lewis, and Kelli Lemon at Urban Hang Suite. Unfortunately 💄 couldn’t join us as she was at work. (5/9) 🧜🏻♀️
They asked about what the community said last night. We told them it is nothing new. When we publish the content from the meeting, we hope they take it back to their people. (6/9) 🧜🏻♀️
But the main conversation we had was about how to build constructive community conversations with education where people can be heard and find their space for impact. We talked about access, transparency, and authentic community engagement. (7/9) 🧜🏻♀️
We don’t know where the conversation will go (if anywhere), but we appreciate the development group’s willingness to listen and recognize space for improvement in their communications. (8/9) 🧜🏻♀️
We look forward to the proposal being released, seeing how community is engaged, & voices are heard going forward. We also hope #RVACouncil is watching as closely as the development group & considering communications & community needs for when they receive the proposal. (9/9) 🧜🏻♀️
@threadreaderapp unroll please
