The United States Institute of Peace is a beautiful venue with high windows that allow natural light to flood in. This modern architecture illusion was the venue for the NEXUS USA Summit. I am grateful that Atlas Corps gave me the opportunity to be the speaker liaison for this event. The speaker liaison role sounded easy enough! I would welcome the plenary speakers as they arrived, ensuring they meet the production team and ready to be called on stage during their scheduled sessions.
This was going to be fun and it was.
The speakers had unique journeys that depicted change maker attitude and resilience against all odds. Their story telling abilities captured the room in applause, ovations, silent sobs and laughs. I appreciated the safe space atmosphere that allowed participants to be vulnerable yet powerfully validated. Hearing stories of injustice from a former child bride, teens grieving the loss of their classmates in song and immigrants continuing to re-write history.
I had the opportunity to meet social innovators whose passion for the environment, entrepreneurship and philanthropic legacies is unmatched. The inspiring conversations challenged me to personally pause and reflect on servant leadership principles. I am still reflecting!
The foodie in me was nervous upon hearing about the plant-based-diet plan for the duration of the Summit. I was pleasantly surprised how tasty every dish was, creatively prepared and I should say I enjoyed it very much.
Enough about all the deliciousness.
NEXUS in its definition is a series of connections linking two or more things. I witnessed the ripple effect of selflessness. I heard about pivoting as a strategy to success. And that love brings all these things together.
A familiar theme throughout the Summit: WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER!!
This message reverberated in the room and I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) ‘’And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE!’’ This is what life is about, being one another’s strength through selfless acts of LOVE!
#WEARENEXUS #ATLASCORPSREPRESENT
