YLNI’s Block Party Allows Opportunity to Record Your Own “My Fort Wayne” Video

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

On May 11, 2011 Mayor Tom Henry announced an initiative called Discover Fort Wayne – a project aimed not only at being proud of our city, but also “about ensuring that Fort Wayne is ready to compete for the good jobs, business investment and talented workers that will make Fort Wayne a vibrant place – a first choice place – for generations to come.” On Thursday May 19th from 5:30-8:30pm in the 800 block of Calhoun Street, Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana will host a Block Party that will serve as an opportunity for the YLNI demographic to showcase the future of Fort Wayne. YLNI will also celebrate its 6th year of operations since founding in May 2005.

The Discover Fort Wayne initiative focuses on the issues raised in the recent Soul of the Community survey conducted by the Knight Foundation to understand what drives community attachment. As detailed in the report, “a community’s most attached residents have strong pride in it, a positive outlook on the community’s future, and a sense that it is a perfect place for them.”

Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana feels it imperative that Discover Fort Wayne serve not only as a way of promoting pride in our city, but also for our community to learn more about itself – and where it can improve. Most importantly, it is an opportunity for all demographics to work together towards meaningful solutions. In other words, this is an opportunity to Discover Fort Wayne – the way it can and should be.

YLNI has received a commitment from the Mayor’s administration to work together towards this common goal. Through Discover Fort Wayne the administration asks that we take the time to know our community better, and become ambassadors for it. They ask that we share our stories of what makes Fort Wayne great through My Fort Wayne online video vignettes. During the YLNI Block Party, attendees will be provided opportunities to share their My Fort Wayne stories – how this community can be better.

In addition to the opportunity to film your “My Fort Wayne” story, there will be activities including cornhole, hillbilly golf, live music, and a beer and wine tasting. YLNI will also paper walls and tables encouraging graffiti with a twist; asking attendees how to make the community better and specifically how to create better community attachment.

My Fort Wayne is great. Our Fort Wayne is better. Let’s roll up our sleeves and find out what Our Fort Wayne can be. To participate on YLNI’s Community Impact Committee, contact impact@ylni.org.

YLNI’s mission is to attract, develop and retain emerging leaders through community, professional and social engagement.

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