Local Conversations: Miami 2007

April 12, 2007: Miami Children's Museum

Growing up in Bombay, Sanjeev Chatterjee, Vice Dean at the University Of Miami School Of Communications, dreamed of being a movie actor. So he went off to college to follow that dream. While in school a new yearning manifested- the desire to make a difference in the world, which eventually led him to discover that media - specifically film, could be used to impact social change. Abandoning his Bollywood vision, Sanjeev decided instead, to become a documentary filmmaker. Combining his talent as a storyteller with his yearning to make a difference in the world, he set out to uncover stories with meaning that he could then share with audiences through film, believing that media can open a narrow window through which action can take place. Sanjeev went on to produce award winning documentary programs to support his vision. His latest feature film, One Water, conceived at the University of Miami, tells the story of the world's growing water crisis through powerfully and unforgettable images. Sanjeev Chatterjee will now wear one more hat at the University of Miami School- he was recently selected to serve as Executive Director of the new Knight Center for International Media.

Sanjeev was one of five persons who shared their stories at the Images and Voices of Hope conversation on Thursday, April 12 at the Miami Children's Museum.. The theme of this year's event was "What works: from Inspiration to Action". Over 50 media professionals came together for Miami's 8th Images and Voices of Hope gathering to listen and learn from these South Florida change makers and explore how their own inspirations have the potential to create positive change in the community.

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and Miami Herald editor Manny Garcia also shared how his life changed course quite surprisingly to lead him to his current career. Investigating stories and serving as editor for 17 years, Manny covers stories that have national impact in Miami. He explained that one of the unique attributes of the Miami Herald is that that the stories are generated by the amazingly dedicated team of reporters he works with. Manny also shared that although he had planned on attending college, he initially had had dropped out of FIU after being placed on probation and took a job selling shampoo. Eventually he decided to attempt to resume his education and was permitted back into FIU after the Dean of Arts and Sciences recognized his potential and helped pave the way for his return.

Founder of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis Dr. Barth Green described how early on in his life as a medical student, he was touched by the courageous people he met who were in wheelchairs. They came to work every day, often taking three hours to get there, and yet showed up smiling when he arrived grumpy. This inspired him to pursue a career in neurosurgery with the hope to cure problems with the central nervous system. One day , someone showed up and asked, "What can you do about this paraplegic?" At that time, there was no NIH research. Dr. Green was about to quit when a developer asked him what resources he would need. He said that $1 million would allow him to assemble the smartest scientists. This is how the Miami Project was born.

Another individual honored for personal passion resulting in community impact was Founder and Curator of the Diaspora Vibe Art Gallery, Rosie Gordon Wallace. Rosie shared how she left a successful career selling pharmaceuticals to pursue her dream of creating a place where emerging artists from the Caribbean and Latin America could be represented and nurtured. She opened the Diaspora Vibe Art Gallery where she works with and showcases such artists. She asserts that artists will change your vision of the world, if you let them into your life.

Mitchell Kaplan, co-founder of the Miami Book Fair International and owner of Books and Books, an independent bookstore chain in the Miami area was the final presenter. Mitchell explained to the audience that his aim is not merely to showcase or sell books, but to design cultural spaces where people can gather together and create community. Books had always been a part of his life, going back to his childhood on Miami Beach when the only bookstore was Double Day on Lincoln Road. He left Miami Beach because he was inspired by the book The Dharma Bums written by Jack Kerouac. After college where he majored in literature, Mitch returned to Miami to teach English and work in a book store. He soon opened his own book store with the aim of creating a great cultural place which would foster a sense of community. Mitch's mantra has always been what's local is good.

Judy Rodgers, founding director of Images and Voices of Hope, flew in from New York to facilitate the conversation. She explained how this international initiative which began in 1999 focuses on the possibility of media acting as an agent of world benefit offering the opportunity of creating images and stories of hope and possibility. Journalists have been participating in these global conversations in such countries as Moscow, Boston, Sao Paulo, Cape Town, London, New York and Hong Kong. Judy also shared how in her experience, conversations like these bring people working in the media together at a time when many feel stressed out and isolated from each other ,thereby offering an opportunity for reflection, inner dialogue and sharing stories with others in their field. Judy's view is that we are all faced with the tyranny of the immediate, with little time or energy to think about the bigger picture.

The day also included the traditional component of all Images and Voices of Hope conversations - a chance to sit in small groups and share intimate responses to insightful questions designed to inspire personal reflection presented by the facilitator. Guests were asked to describe a particularly inspiring or impacting moment from this past year, to share experiences of Miami's most exciting and transformative public spaces and to explore together, the major changes in media that we are all experiencing on some level. Discussions at some tables focused on the opportunities of the internet to connect people together yet at the same time be dehumanizing; how despite squandering some of our public spaces, there is still a wonderful array of places, such as like Fairchild Tropical Garden and local festivals that encourage our community to come together and enjoy the natural beauty of South Florida.

The day concluded with a powerful visualization from B.K. Gayatri from the Brahma Kumaris who helped moved people into a different space where they could reflect on their our own personal mission. As people departed, they commented on how energized and inspired they were by this empowering dialogue. Some even hoped that we should continue such conversations more regularly. It was one participant's comment that best summed up what Images and Voices Hope is all about - "This event truly helped in building a sense of connectedness and common ground."