This Tuesday, we’re soaking up some sun and good weather at Patterson Park for Whole Humans III.
From: Robbin Lee – Director of Partnerships & Mobilization, UpSurge Baltimore
How do you answer the question: “how are you”? Sometimes it is about work, but oftentimes it’s an update about life outside of work, the things that bring you joy, and the things that bog you down. I try to see it as an opportunity to vocalize what I am grateful for, what keeps me going through the hard days.
I met Brady Starr (Co-Founder, Brady UX) at our first Whole Humans Equitech Tuesday at Druid Hill Park earlier this summer. He brought his big, beautiful malamute named Samo. Brady has since been to most of the Equitech Tuesdays this summer and made it a point to get to know the humans behind the startups, the parents behind the professionals, and dog-mom/dads behind the titles. His LinkedIn posts shouting out the people he’s met have inspired me and shown me that we’re doing something right. The web is webbing!
Last Equitech Tuesday, we watched the Olympic Women’s quarterfinal volleyball match USA vs. Poland and I got the opportunity to catch up with founders like Dr. Jen Fry (Coordle) and Ashton Keys (Athlytic) through our mutual love of sports. We talked about what Olympic events we were watching and about Jen’s experience volunteering for the Olympics in Paris. I met Dana Ledyard from CodePath who convinced her young son to join her for Equitech Tuesday because she knew sports would be on tv. Common ground brings us together and when that common ground extends beyond work, our relationships become more sticky because we can weave together more threads that are important to us.
During the GBC Regional Branding roundtable last week, we were asked, why is Baltimore different? We know Baltimore is special because entrepreneurs here can be real with each other, show up as whole humans, and reach almost anyone through just one Smalltimore degree of separation.
The week of rainy days has got me reflecting on the summer. Spending time with kids while they’re out of school; family vacations, but also vacations where you need a follow up vacation to catch up; finding time and space to just realign for the second half of the year and prepare for the sprint of the fall.
I’m looking forward to enjoying some good weather this Tuesday before the school year starts up again. The muddy grass will dry up with some sunshine after hurricane Debby passes. Come out to Patterson Park with all the people who make you whole – bring your kids, pets, partners, friends, co-workers, or anyone else you think should just be part of this tech community. My dog Yoshi and I will see you there!
Robbin Lee
Director of Partnerships & Mobilization
UpSurge Baltimore