What Do You Want to Create?

Recently I walked past a storefront with a sign: “What do you want to create?” I’ve been thinking about this question since; it’s a powerful one.

I like to create. I like to write – it’s one of the reasons I started this newsletter.

To create is to build, to push energy out into the world, to freely imagine.

We all have the power to create that which is special to us. Maybe it’s art or food or gardens or initiatives or games or connections or something wildly different. 

To create requires space and time. I believe the act of creating also requires distancing ourselves from fixed habits and thoughts. How do we get out of our rivers of thinking and embrace new ideas, inspiration, and action?

For myself, I’m going to start working from a coffee shop once a week. I want to get away from my desk and the usual distractions and see how I can think differently – and creatively. I plan to turn my email off and reflect on my work instead. 

If I can expand a (my) creative mind, I know my work will be stronger. 

Giving ourselves permission to create is an enormous gift. When we make time to create, we make time to problem solve, express ourselves, build resilience, and grow.

So, tell me, what is it that you want to create?

With love and appreciation,

Sarah

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👚WOMEN RUNNING

It’s a race that has no website, no rules, no official route, and no spectators. It’s one of the world’s most elusive and exclusive ultramarathons. It’s called The Speed Project (TSP) and it’s an unsanctioned, unsupported six-person relay race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The 2024 edition just took place at the end of March – and, for the first time in TSP’s 11-year history, six Indigenous women from the Rarámuri community of Chihuahua, Mexico participated.

Wearing their traditional brightly colored dresses and huaraches (sandals!), Verónica Palma, 34; Ulisa Fuentes, 25; Isadora Rodríguez, 46; Lucía Nava, 27; Rosa Para, 29; and Argelia Orpinel, 40, ran the race as a relay. Without stopping, the team of six mothers finished in 52 hours, running approximately 56 miles each. Their team placed third overall (third! in sandals!).

Though this is the first time a team of Rarámuri has completed TSP, the Indigenous tribe is known for their running abilities. The word "Rarámuri" translates as "light-footed" and their running skills have been the subject of several documentaries, including the 2019 Netflix film “Lorena, Light-Footed Woman.” 

For beautiful photos and videos, and a lot more inspiration, check out Team RaRaRa’s Instagram page here.

⛪CULTURE AND MORE DOCUMENTED IN 3D

Backup Ukraine is an ad campaign for UNESCO and Polycam, a photogrammetry company. Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, the campaign asked volunteers to create digital assets of the most important cultural sites in Ukraine – with just their phones. The original idea was to use the assets as blueprints for future reconstruction efforts, but people also started uploading scans of their everyday lives. It’s fascinating to see what’s been captured and uploaded to the site so far: Backup Ukraine - Polycam + UNESCO.

Want to try your hand at capturing 3D images? You can. Download the Polycom app and get started. (This is so cool and I literally can’t stop thinking about it.)

💻FREE WEBINAR ON A.I. AND THE ELECTION: MAY 23

Worried about how A.I. will impact your vote in the November elections? (Or am I the only one freaking out?) Join me on Thursday, May 23 from 1-2pm PT/4-5pm ET for an interactive webinar with Susan Gonzales, founder of the nonprofit AIandYou for a presentation on AI and our 2024 elections. Susan will talk about misinformation, disinformation, deep fakes, advanced AI, and more.

A former policy exec at Facebook, Susan now co-chairs A.I. Education and Awareness on the National A.I. Advisory Committee (NAIAC), advising President Biden and the Administration on the National A.I. Initiative. She also sits on the Boards of Equal A.I., the Sandberg Family Foundation, LeanIn.org, and the Eva Longoria Foundation. Yes, she’s a really big deal.

This webinar is hosted by the OC Votes campaign. Please join! Register here.

💘NONPROFIT LOVE

Kennedy Odede was born to a 15-year-old single mom in a small village in Kenya. He was named Kennedy after the American president, because his mom had dreams for him. At age 10, Kennedy and his family ended up in the Kibera slum in Nairobi. Kennedy taught himself to read and was inspired by a biography of Nelson Mandela. In 2004, he started Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), which became the largest grassroots organization in Kibera.

In 2007, Kennedy met Jessica Posner, an American student from Wesleyan University studying abroad. They collaborated on SHOFCO’s model, and Jessica convinced Wesleyan to offer a full scholarship to Kennedy, even though he had never been to school. Jessica and Kennedy eventually married.

Today, SHOFCO reaches more than 220,000 people in six Kenyan slums. The organization offers education and leadership development for women and girls, focuses on health care, runs libraries and internet hot spots, delivers clean water, fights sexual assault, supports people starting small businesses, mobilizes voters, and so much more. 

I’m just in awe. Grassroots organizations for the win – in so many ways!