Rediscover your ‘Love for Charlotte’ at Oct. 4 workshop

In a joint effort of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, local leaders, businesses and organizations, author Peter Kageyama will serve as the focal point of a two-day community workshop in Charlotte on Oct. 3 and 4.
Kageyama is the Florida-based author of For the Love of Cities, and Love Where You Live. He may be most known locally from a workshop he held with organizations in Barry County that resulted in Nashville’s efforts to set the Guiness World Record for the largest ice cream sundae.
Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Director Amanda Lipsey played an integral in lining up Kageyama’s visit, which has been in the works for nearly a year. She was first introduced to his book by Charlotte resident, Dana Pray who attended one of his workshops in the Lansing area and came back inspired.
Lipsey, who has read For the Love of Cities a couple times, said she was inspired by Kageyama’s simple notion of connecting people emotionally with their community.
“He takes a creative approach to place making,” Lipsey said. “He focuses more on the emotional side of community development, not on the logistics of it. And, when you think about it, that emotional connection keeps people where they are.”
Lipsey said his books also talk a lot about passing the torch when it comes to community leadership.
“He talks a lot about youth and young entrepreneurs and connecting them to their community,” Lipsey said. “If you’re not building relationships and providing opportunities for these young people, they are not going to stick around and are going to seek opportunities elsewhere.”
Kageyama will meet with community organizations, such as the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, #CharlotteRising, Can Do!, and local service organizations on Monday, Oct. 3. On Tuesday, Oct. 4, he will lead a community workshop to identify ideas that spur community connectedness. Lipsey said all in the community are invited to attend. The workshop will conclude with individuals or organizations submitting grant proposals for projects designed to create community vitality. One submission will be selected that evening to receive a grant for up to $1,000.
“I would really like to see this boost morale, and to see that love for our community come back,” Lipsey said. “Maybe it will inspire people to look at our community in a different light. Sometimes we need an outsider’s perspective to see the beauty we often overlook.”