The Intersect Conference not only had to pivot to being a virtual conference but also served as a mechanism for a larger pivot of how do we re-imagining our new world. The Intersect Conference is a diversity and leadership conference at Elon University and this year's theme was "enVISIONing a new way." Pretty timely. I sat down with Gaby Jimenez, Paige Wilson, and Maddy Starr, the directors of the conference, and talked about what pivoting looked like for them and what they are envisioning.
The Intersect Conference not only had to pivot to being a virtual conference but also served as a mechanism for a larger pivot of how do we re-imagining our new world. The Intersect Conference is a diversity and leadership conference at Elon University and this year's theme was "enVISIONing a new way." Pretty timely. I sat down with Gaby Jimenez, Paige Wilson, and Maddy Starr, the directors of the conference, and talked about what pivoting looked like for them and what they are envisioning.
Simon Sinek Ted Talk: How great leaders inspire action.
Social Media: @Elon_Intersect
*(music plays: McCarthy by Blue Dot Sessions) *
[00:00:00] Kenneth Brown Jr: This year, not only have we been forced to do new things, we have also been called to imagine new ways of doing life. We have seen this on every single level from people making a plan of action, to go shopping to school districts connecting students to the internet, to protests over the past few months calling for transformative changes in the fight for racial justice. There are many organizations and programs working to bring about change and challenging us to think deeply about the communities we are in. One event that does this every year is the Intersect Conference on the campus of Elon University, my alma mater. The Intersect Conference is a student-run diversity and leadership conference put on by Elon's Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education, or the CREDE, their Center for Leadership, also known has the CFL, and their Gender and [00:01:00] L-G-B-T-Q-I-A Center, or the G-L-C. Like many others, they pivoted, but theirs was a process. Here's one of the directors, Gaby Jimenez.
Gaby Jimenez: For so long when we had started this planning process that had always been talked about in a, in a, in-person manner. So obviously when the pandemic hit and we were sent home, we were still planning with this mentality that it was going to be in-person because we had no information. Obviously, we didn't know what was going to happen. If we were going to be on campus, we just knew either way, we still needed to plan. And so it was like, I think in the middle of like summer where we made a decision to be hybrid thinking since we were going to be back at school we can kind of do it in like this manner where it's like, obviously social distancing and like limited number of people, but still having that in-person aspect that people really love. And so that added a lot of stress for sure. I mean, it was difficult [00:02:00] trying to plan for both like online and in person, the logistics behind all of that was kind of tricky. And then we decided super, super late, maybe like a month before that we were just going to go virtual, completely virtually.
Kenneth Brown Jr: This year, the conference theme was "enVISIONing a new way: The road towards equity and social justice, wellness, and civic engagement." One of our tag lines is "Re-imagining our World." Also, personal plug, Elon students are amazing and so I couldn't pass it by chance to chat with them. I'm grateful. They said yes.
*(music plays: "Tarte Tartin" by Blue Dot Sessions) *
This is Pivots, a podcast by navigating transitions, negotiating change, and re-imagining our world. I'm Kenneth Brown, Jr. I chatted with Gaby.
Gaby Jimenez: My name is Gaby Jimenez.
Kenneth Brown Jr: The student director for the CREDE. Paige.
Paige Wilson: My name is Paige Wilson.
Kenneth Brown Jr: The student director for the GLC and [00:03:00] Maddy Starr.
Maddy Starr: My name is Maddy.
Kenneth Brown Jr: The student director for the CFL and we talked about what it's like to plan a conference in the middle of a pandemic, what is keeping them grounded, and what they are hoping for. Let's dive back in.
Gaby Jimenez: It's kind of like a blessing, but also not because it made it easy, I guess, on the planning side that we didn't have to like reserve these rooms and get like food and all this other stuff for people. But at the same time, it was difficult cause like having a whole conference on zoom, I think, that, that was really, really difficult. I always say, like, I have this newfound respect for like my professors, because being on zoom and trying to do all these things is actually really, really difficult and people don't really see that behind the scenes action. But yeah, I mean, I don't know if anyone else wants to be, but yeah, I think it was a little, a little bit [00:04:00] hard just because we're also not the best, like tech-savvy, you know, we don't really know how to like go about things, but I think we did it to the best of our abilities that day.
Maddy Starr: I also want to chime in that kind of the planning committee aspect of it was really kind of, it was kind of difficult because we met each other, the entire planning committee. We met each other for the first time over zoom and it wasn't until fall when we really had to start moving and getting into the process that we'd actually seen each other, like face to face. And so, that was just a really interesting experience trying to navigate like building a team during a pandemic and that's an important part of the Intersect Conference, having a good planning committee, but I'm, I mean, I know I was really impressed with how well we came together, even though we couldn't make those initial connections and like had to get straight into work and couldn't do those [00:05:00] kind of like fun team building things earlier on together.
Kenneth Brown Jr: So what do all these changes look like for you all?
Maddy Starr:We had to create different zoom sessions for every single educational session and those actually worked out really well and we also worked with I-T for our keynotes and they kind of set up the zoom sessions for those but we had to use our individual zoom accounts, which was kind of difficult and we all had to make sure we were in the right place using the right account and that kind of thing. So that was kind of difficult. The round table discussions were kind of a crap show to say the least, just because, I mean, we thought something would work and then we got there and it didn't, we were using different breakout rooms. We pre-assigned those. No one really went into them. The pre assignments didn't work. And so that was really, that was kind of stressful on our part.
Gaby Jimenez: I think the round tables also, we weren't planning on having them just because we were like, [00:06:00] if it's on online, how can we have that? How can we facilitate those discussions if we're not going to be in-person, you know, the round table that typically like smaller groups in person, how like talk about certain topics and so we decided pretty late, let's just do breakout rooms with them. That way we can still have those discussions and we can still have student presenters come and share it because that time is typically for students. They're like the 30-minute presentation and we received a lot of submissions from students where like, we don't want to cut them out. Like these are really great. Get, do that to let, just add them. Yeah. It was just, difficult, I guess, just because having a whole conference online, we already know about zoom fatigue and that is real. And so I think that was like the biggest impact of having it be virtual. Not so much the difficulties cause I feel like we handled that, but it was more like people not wanting to stay the entire [00:07:00] time, just because after a whole semester of being on online classes, it's hard to be from nine to six at another conference.
Kenneth Brown Jr: With all of the pivots that we have had to make. What does pivoting look like for you all? How do you define pivots and pivoting?
Paige Wilson: I think for me, pivoting means like it's okay that things can get a little chaotic and I think it just means learning how to just be flexible and learning how to adapt to wherever you're pivoting to. So that can look like a lot of things and sometimes that can become like really stressful and sometimes really overwhelming. So like allowing yourself grace to know that like when you're, when you're going through a shift or when you're like pivoting from, from [00:08:00] one thing to another, that it's okay. If it's a little messy and if it's not and it's okay if it's not like going to turn out the way that you had hoped, because like, There's, I mean, it's, it's uncertain. You're not, you're not going to know what you get when you pivot.
Gaby Jimenez: I definitely agree with that Paige. I think it's, it's like being flexible, but also adapting because to me, like pivoting is a change, but it's not like a complete one 80 and you know, we're still holding that. We're still having that one foot grounding us and like what we already know and our experiences, and just, I guess, like changing or adapting to these new norms, these new methods, or, you know, but I think it's, it's key to also rely on those past thoughts, experiences and everything in order to like change and get to a new place.
Maddy Starr: I, I really like that Gaby. I agree that pivoting is a lot of adaptability and flexibility, [00:09:00] but also kind of like what you said, having that basic foundation and making sure you're, you're keeping with those values, those things that are important to you, but being able to be creative and adapt and be flexible when hardships come up. I've found pivoting to be necessary and very many facets of our education right now and so I think it's something that we're all getting used to, we're all getting used to, I mean, I don't know exactly how Gabby and Paige are, but I know I'm a very Type-A, like to be in control of everything and so trying to be able to say like, it's okay, that I'm not in control and that I don't know what's going to happen, but as long as I keep my, keep my foundation, keep my values I can be creative and I can be flexible and adaptable to whatever happens.
Kenneth Brown Jr: What is this [00:10:00] foundation that this one foot is grounded on? What is this foundation, whether it has past experiences or values that has kind of helped guided you through all the different twists and turns?
Maddy Starr: I think I would say my, my foundation is kind of like “My Why” for doing all of this. When I think about my why, when I think about my values, I mean, I, I read Brené Brown's "Dare To Lead" and I really narrowed down my values to inclusive, one of them being inclusivity. That's one of my big values. And so in remembering that big value and then remembering "My Why" is like, "Why did I apply for this position? Why am I doing this?" It's to make sure people's voices are heard and that we're educating ourselves on diversity and inclusion efforts because everyone has value [00:11:00] and I want their value to be seen and heard. And so kind of, that's my, I feel like for me, that's my foundation. That's my one foot. Like, no matter what happens. This is what I need to make sure is happy. I need to make sure that people are learning about diversity and inclusivity and that they're understanding the value and worth of every individual. And however, we go about doing that, it'll change based on circumstances, but making sure I keep that in mind is super important.
Gaby Jimenez: I was just, yeah, I think that's all great. I think it's very, very individual for everyone. I think, yeah, it's, it's those experiences of life experiences we have that have like led to this moment, you know, I think that it's obviously different for everyone. It can be like those family values and I think for me, that's part of my, I [00:12:00] guess why I do things, Maddy, I think it was like, My mom instilled these values in me that I still hold on to like the idea very dearly and it's also, I guess "My Why" could also be like, I just want to be there for people, or I just want to do things for my community and all communities and just like, you know, like talking and bringing about these conversations that are super important, not just for our community, but for other communities as well. Cause I feel like we talk about these issues or these experiences, this diversity so much in our own communities, but other communities are missing out on that aspect and I think just bringing that up is like in all aspects of life is super important to me, not only as like a student, but like as an individual and unfortunately, like, it shouldn't be our role, but I feel like for me, I just, if it's not up to us and I said, we don't have these discussions and [00:13:00] I think, yeah, that just really impacts my, "My Why."
Paige Wilson: See, I don't know if there's just like one clear answer for me. I feel like, I feel like that's just like, I feel like it's just like a part of like my, my, my genetic makeup, like my, just like who I am that I'm just always wanting the best for everyone and when I don't see that I'm going to do everything in my power to like help change that. So I don't really know...cause like I was trying to think back when everybody was talking to like, like a point in my life where like that kind of started or something like that but let's just remember like as long as I could remember like I've always just wanted to help you. I've always just wanted to see people like be okay and to be like in a, like a positive space, you know? So like, that looks like a [00:14:00] lot of different things for me growing up, whether it was like, you know, like offering like the cookie. I wanted to like my friend who was crying because she didn't get a cookie or like in high school, like helping people with like homework, you know, like it's just like, I've always just wanted to help people and so like that just always has changed and then like, as I got to college realizing that like that is like realizing, you know, just high having that self-realization that everybody has when you get to college where it's like the world, isn't what you, what you were in for the past so like few years, you know what I mean? So it's like, you, you have like this realization that there's like so many things happening in this world that you weren't aware of before and then it's like, Oh my gosh. But with that, there's so many, so much wrong that's coming out of there and so it's like, I'm like, okay, well now I need to prepare myself because I want to go in and I'm, I want to like start, we're helping wherever I can. So, it's like, I [00:15:00] think that's what kind of like grounds me and doing like everything that I do, it's just that like, want to like want people to be okay. And so I think that's also just why, like, I want it to do Intersect as well when it was like offered to our office, like for somebody to hop on the project, I was like, definitely like, let me, because it's just like, It's everything that I've always wanted to do and it's just like a way that I can do it. It's just a way that I can help. And I just, I love it.
(music plays: "The Spinnet" by Blue Dot Sessions)
Kenneth Brown Jr: You mentioned about helping where you can. In a lot of the interviews that I have, conducted has people have talked about this, trying to hope where they can [00:16:00] and just, you know, how to disclaimer, we know we're, we're recording this on Election Day where either a big pivot might be coming to our country and figuring out what we value and what's different, or even on the individual level, there might be millions, thousands of people figuring out afterward what's next and what's different and the part of this podcast is about (inaudible) about re-imagining our world. And this year, our theme of Intersect was "enVISIONing a new way: the road towards equity, social justice, wellness, and civic engagement." And I like how these two things kind of go into each other. Because first, like the pandemic has just exposed so much about our systems and things that maybe were working but is not working as much or didn't work at all for lots of folks. [00:17:00] It has forced lots of us to one help where we can and to imagine new ways to do things and so I was wondering, what have you all been learning? and what do you, when you, when you are envisioning a new way, what does that look like?
Paige Wilson: That's like a loaded question. I feel like because that goes into so many different, like depending on what aspect of life you're talking about, it looks different. I think for me, in a broad sense, envisioning a new way, it's just like, Envisioning a time in our society where, where everyone is just like, we're like, there's no sort of discrimination and stereotyping. No sort of racism, homophobia, like all-around board where there's like, [00:18:00] it's kind of like a what did they call it? Like a utopia type. Like society, like, that's kind of what I like envision. And I know like we have so much to work on and so many ways, but like, you know, yeah. You could dream about it, you know? Like, and like it's still something, if, even if it's like, not as like obtainable, maybe like in my lifetime, like it's still something that like I want for the world and I want for society. So, I think like, no, even though like my vision is so big and like maybe so far away, that's still like something that I want.
Gaby Jimenez: Yeah, no, I agree. I think this, this question is hard because like, in "my new way" or something like everything would be dismantled, you know, like it just wouldn't exist. And I feel like that's obviously a long conversation to have but I think what I've learned in this process [00:19:00] of not even like Intersect, but just of like reimagining the new norm in the world is, is the importance of having collective action. You know, I think that's super important right now. And we've seen some of the outcomes of this past summer with all of them protests, we've seen changes occur and we continuously see changes, you know what I mean? So, I think that is one of the biggest things that I've taken away from this conference and from this, this past year, I guess, yeah.
Maddy Starr: I agree with both Paige and Gabby, I mean, a perfect world would be a social utopia where literally everyone is equal. There is no systematic, systemic discrimination. Everyone is treated equally in all facets of life, but that's a very far-fetched dream and so when I think about envisioning a new way I think about [00:20:00] turning our requests into a reality and a lot of that has to do with, as Gabby said, collective action and so thinking here at Elon, or even thinking even bigger about things like "defunding the police" things that are realistic in that can happen, but we'll take a lot of collective action that's what I, when I think about envisioning a new way, I think about putting pressure on these higher up, authority figures that make these decisions using collective action so that these requests, you know, "defunding the police" isn't some, isn't a radical saying that that is used during protests. It's a reality. There is, there would be less funding for the police and those funding. Those funds would be allocated elsewhere other resources and communities. And so when I think about [00:21:00] envisioning a new way, especially in regards to this conference, especially with the presence of a lot of Elon faculty and staff, I was thinking more of like, this is an opportunity to put pressure on our faculty, on our administration. You know, President Book was there for quite a few sessions and so was, Dr. Dooley. So, I mean, they were there, they were listening to these things and so taking the opportunity to put pressure on them and really make some of these requests that aren't far-fetched. So that's kind of where my head has been at with envisioning a new way.
Kenneth Brown Jr: Yeah. Sounds a lot of like just giving people the space to actually see what this will look like rather than putting it out there and moving on. What gives you all hope?
Maddy Starr: [00:22:00] People like Gabby and Paige gave me hope and like our whole planning committee to like their dedication, to intersect in our whole planning, committees, dedication, and just like the work that everyone's don .and the amount of like passion they have gives me hope. And also, the increasing number of attendees that we had this year. I mean, we had Intersect on like one of our only two days off and we had the most amount of people registered that we've ever had and so that gives me a lot of hope too. And I mean, There's a lot of work that needs to be done but knowing that people are passionate about this and knowing that they're like the people that I've gotten to work with on this are our future gives me a lot of hope.
Paige Wilson: Along with what gives Maddy hope. [00:23:00] Maddy, you give me hope too. I just don't want you to feel left out like you do also give us hope. But along with like the people who are like out there, like actively making, trying to make these changes for like the betterment of society just like straight-up good people give me hope as well. You know, like if you're just like, if you're just like a purely genuine person who, who like just tries to be like better than they were the day before and tries to make like the world a little bit happier than when they first got there. Like, that's literally, like, those are the people who also give me hope, you know, like we just need more people who are just like here for the right reasons and who are just, who bring lights into like people's lives and stuff like that. Like that's, those are the kinds of people who like. [00:24:00] Who can like help uplift a society and like make a society like the best that it can be. So along with people who fight for what's right. It just like good people.
Gaby Jimenez: Yeah and going off of that for going back to, to individuals, I think that people who have that passion or that willingness is a huge thing that really inspires me, I guess to, to do this but I also think, like thinking in like smaller ways, I think seeing those changes, seeing what comes, you know what I mean? Like what, like there's new changes that we find every day or that the, you know, that our work is being thought of then it's being considered, and it is appreciated. I think that definitely helps us, at least I know that we are making strides, you know what I mean? That we are making [00:25:00] efforts and we are changing, and we are helping those younger class of students. And I think they also really inspire me as well. Like I had a lot of like first-years or second-years who were like really intrigued and really happy to hear these presentations and were really like engaged with us and I think that's like amazing to see, just because I know from my own experiences, I was super distant my first year from like conversations like these, you know, and I just, that brings me excitement, knowing that they're here and they're ready and willing to also help us make changes.
Kenneth Brown Jr: Someone listening to this might be curious in how other people have pivoted, how organizations' events have pivoted. They might be going through some pebbles of their own thinking through other things. What words would you offer that person?
Maddy Starr: One thing that I would say definitely is "just remember your why." I know I keep [00:26:00] repeating it, but my dad, that is like, he is obsessed with Simon Sinek. So I've seen the video like 50 times and he's ingrained it in my brain, but I also think it's it's I do think it's super important and I think it does guide me through a lot of challenging situations especially when we're starting to lose motivation and people are starting to burn out, us included. Things hard right now, like not only in regards to the pandemic but also in regards to this year's election, and just like a lot of the social tensions going on right now, it's hard to stay motivated. It's hard to keep, keep fighting, but keeping "your why" in the back of your head and making sure you're remembering, like, why am I doing this? What are my values? How did I get here? And what is [00:27:00] pushing me to keep going? And then whenever you're feeling like there's a bump where there's like, I can't push myself to do this. Like whenever you're feeling that way, just taking a second and not even not focusing on the logistics, but focusing on, okay, why am I putting on this conference? Why am I running this program? Like what, why is it important? Why did I get involved in it in the first place? And just kind of using that to keep you going, I think would be my biggest word of words of advice.
Paige Wilson: I would say, protect your energy and whatever way that looks like for you. So I know there's...there's this thing that goes around and people are like protecting my energy and then people give like tips as to how to protect your energy and I just feel like that's something that you can do like that [00:28:00] you can only do, like by yourself and individually, it's a very self-searching journey to find what, what really protects your peace and your energy. So I would say through all of those, through all of the fighting through, because there will always be things to challenge and they'll always be things to fight about and you're, you're always gonna want that drive to like make positive change. So in the midst of doing that, make sure to protect your energy and do the things that help you do that. For some people it's taking a step back, deleting your social media for a couple of weeks, and for others it's you know catching up on your favorite podcast or your favorite TV show and not worrying. And like for me, it's deep [00:29:00] cleaning and organizing and it's just like, it looks different for everybody and so just to find that find what, what it, what it is and to make sure you do that in the midst of fighting for, you know, social justice.
Gaby Jimenez: I think I would say don't be afraid and like stay curious, you know. I feel like we always need to be questioning everything in our society, our individuals, those in power, and those are in those positions. I think it's important for, for students as well, to not be afraid to know that they have as much power as students, as, as anyone on this campus and do not be afraid to question and to discover more and just discover what is out there, what changes can happen, what needs to be done and what else can happen, you know?
(music plays "A Path Unwinding" by Blue Dot Sessions)
[00:30:00] Kenneth Brown Jr: This conversation gives me hope. Being around young people, in general, gives me hope and knowing that, you know, you all are doing good work in the midst of tough times, you know, just trying to figure out how you can help, how you can help and thank you all so much for joining me. I really do appreciate it. How can someone learn more about the Intersect Conference?
Maddy Starr: They can go to Elon dot e-d-u slash intersect
Gaby Jimenez: and follow us on social media as well.
Maddy Starr: Oh yes. I think it's Elon underscore intersect. Let me look it up. Am I right? Okay. Yes, I'm correct.
Kenneth Brown Jr: Cool. Awesome. Thank you so much.
[00:31:00] All Guests: Thank You
Kenneth Brown Jr: You've been listening to Pivots, a podcast about navigating transitions, negotiating change, and re-imagining our world. Pivots is a project of the A J Fletcher foundation produced and hosted by me. Kenneth Brown Jr. Our music is composed by blue dot sessions. Sound effects from free sound.org. You can hear this episode and more by going to our show page at www dot pivots A-J-F dot simplecast.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.
See you next time.