On June 15-16, 2011 at the #140Conf in New York City you’ll hear from Scott Mills(@GraffitiBMXCop) and graffiti artists Kedre Browne (@BubzArt), Jessey Pacho (@ArtOfPhade). Their message will inspire the lives of many young people around the world and provide proof that graffiti can paint a positive message. Nicholas Maharaj (@Twittnick) also a “student” of Scott’s will be present to capture all the action and post to social media.
My name is @StephenWelton. I was asked to write this and share just a glimpse of the positive impacts which developed as a result of us (just a couple of cops) embracing the opportunity to leverage social media to reach out to others and make a difference. A way to bridge the gap between the online and the offline communities in our social world. It happened when Scott Mills a Toronto Police officer began to share his vision with me through social networking. Our visions aligned and we’re now in progress creating a series of true stories.
We know fifteen minutes at the #140Conf NY will only begin to describe the community building and the life long relationships that developed when a graffiti artist reached out to a cop on Youtube. A true story now about how some cops from Canada are tuned in through social networking to change lives by helping youth navigate from negative to positive.
While in New York City these graffiti artists plan to paint a mural dedicated to the cause of creating awareness about homeless issues (@InvisiblePeople inspired by @HaRdLyNoRmAl ) and prove that anyone can change their lives despite odds.
A second chance is often all anyone needs to turn their life around. Someone to plant a seed of hope and opportunity within them. Someone willing to listen. Someone to lead. I’ve spent my career as a cop thus far sharing real life stories of my very own troubled youth. A story that speaks from real life experience. One that wasn’t so bright. Until someone stepped in to mentor me. I’ve never forgotten my past. It’s through social media now that Scott Mills and other cops like myself are now focused on moving the ideas forward.
We feel the responsibility to “paint the walls of negativity on and offline” with a message of hope, possibility and opportunity, to mentor youth to be BE FOR something positive. We will continue to identify and connect with leaders to develop thriving communities, and most importantly, create opportunities for others to live a life they can be proud of.
Sound a little strange? Perhaps, but luckily we’ve seen the real time success and results of what happens when relationships and technology converge for good and even for the safety of others.
We cannot do this alone. There is a degree of the unknown, with a focus on a purpose bigger than us: a process, a plan and inspiration from people like @JoanneWallace + @JeffPulver. The hope is that the payoff – the success of our youth and safety of our global community – is well worth the work. “Hope, Vision and Action” as Scott often says.
Today, and everyday, we can partner together to make the world a better place. We intend on creating the structure in which youth can achieve their goals and be successful. Visions to get at the root cause of our societal challenges, like that of @InvisiblePeople are inspiring, and we want to celebrate those visions. We believe that community led programs aimed at world safety like Crime Stoppers International ( @CSIWorld ) are a key ingredient to a strategy to create a safe environments to PREVENT violence and allow essential programs aimed at issues like homelessness to effectively operate. Working together and social alchemy are a key messages that will be spoken about by these speakers at the #140conf.
We’re excited to hear from all the voices at the #140conf as we launch our ideas to the world. We believe the invisible can become incredible.The wind of resistance can be felt now and again but like the idea of the airplane, it takes off against the wind….
@HardlyNormal @InvisiblePeople @Gangprevntion @JoanneWallace @Lawscomm -Thank you for believing. Thank you to @JeffPulver for believing in the invisible and being a leader: for living, creating and leading in the State of NOW. We appreciate you.We look forward to connecting, conversing and contributing at the #140conf.
Engage us in conversation #140conf: @GraffitiBMXCop @StephenWelton @BubzArt @Twittnick @ArtOfPhade
PS – Be sure to ask Scott about how he envisions one of Sir Richard Branson’s Jets being painted with a message that will travel the world sharing a vision of hope & raising awareness about homelessness and preventing crime through Crime Stoppers. Oh… and having world champion BMX rider from Truro, Nova Scotia Canada @DrewBezanson fly through the air over the jet creating one of the most highly viewed videos on the web! … all with a focus on helping those less fortunate than ourselves, and all developed because of relationships and technology. Looking forward to community building in New York!
Back to top