We Are Here To Save Us

By Shaun Mosley & Taylor Kostal-Bergmann, Civic Tech Atlanta

Every time we look around, it feels like a new problem.

Extreme heats. Rent through the roof. Enduring legacies of systemic barriers. Explicit cruelty. Overt racism. 

It’s an absolute mess!

And who can help clean this up? Us. You and I. And we’ll start by meeting at CityCamp Atlanta.

CityCamp Atlanta is an unconference focused on connecting community-driven residents, organizations, and technologists to gear up for these gargantuan challenges on the local level. It is hosted by Civic Tech Atlanta in partnership with The Mayor’s Innovation Team – which is within the Mayor’s Executive Office and led by Director Mariama N’Diaye. While there’s no shortage of problems from the never ending onslaught of issues, CityCamp Atlanta is focusing primarily on climate resilience, affordable housing, and racial equity.

The beauty of the unconference format is that it’s driven by attendees. It will be a mix of residents, city staff, civic leaders, entrepreneurs, designers, journalists, urban planners, organizations and more driving the conversations. While professional backgrounds will range widely, the unifying factor is that all involved are community-driven with visions of a brighter, bolder Atlanta in mind. To be clear, we won’t solve these problems in one day. That’s not our intent. But what we will do is set the stage for what comes next. CityCamp provides the people, place, and frameworks to facilitate the kinds of community changing conversations and collaboration Atlanta needs right now. 

At Civic Tech Atlanta, we focus on how we can empower technologists to use their skills to serve the Greater Atlanta community. Over the years of working with the community, we’ve learned that well-intentioned techies aren’t connected to the people facing the challenges, so they don’t solve the right problems. On the other hand, organizations & residents are intimately familiar with the problems, but are overburdened, under-resourced and might not have the technical expertise to know what to ask for. So we’re bringing everyone together in one space. CityCamp will be the hub for these groups to convene and kick off meaningful conversations on the challenges staring down at us.

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but the federal government isn’t coming to save us. While that may seem daunting and overwhelming, it’s important to see the opportunity laid before us. We can step up and address some of the problems plaguing our city. No federal mandate required. Some actions to consider can look like:

• Building resources, like this Green Career Map built by The Mayor’s Innovation Team, to educate our kids that there are Green career opportunities right here in Atlanta.
• Following the Department of City Planning’s Tactical Urbanism Guide to offer reprieve for commuters at uncovered MARTA stops.
• Planting more trees and investing in resilience hubs to increase our climate resilience.
• Streamlining digital operations at a local food pantry so more neighbors get the nutrition they need.

No matter the problem, we have to realize that if we want to see change, we have to be the catalysts. At CityCamp you will form the connections to help you follow your spark for Civic innovation to be the catalyst for change in your community and beyond. Your skills are needed. Your passion is needed. You are needed. No expertise is required. What matters is that you care and you show up. 

Even in the face of disappearing Federal funding and uncertainty, there is hope for continued progress. The path ahead can be scary, but it also can be a calling. Now is the time for the community to step up and collaborate. An opportunity for new things to grow. These issues won’t solve themselves, but we can. 

We are here to save us and we hope you will join us.