Voices of 2 Blocks

Our 4th Design Redefined seminar, a collaboration between Innovators for Purpose, the MIT Museum, and MIT MAD, featured a dynamic panel discussion led by Raechel Walker and Daniella DiPaola, both Ph. D. students at the MIT Media Lab, along with Wendell Joseph, a visionary thinker, dreamer, educator, designer, and strategic advisor. iFp's Emerging Innovator, Ramzey, expertly moderated the session....

Co-Hosts: iFp Emerging Innovators Jeanette and Hermela Guest: Daniella DiPaola, PhD candidate, MIT Media Lab Overview In this episode, Daniella shares her journey and research at the intersection of AI, education, and ethics. With a background in Biomedical Engineering and Engineering Psychology as well as experience in robotics, Daniella emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in AI d...

Welcome back to "Voices of Two Blocks," this season, our co-hosts are taking us on a journey into the fascinating world of AI and community. In this episode, we're thrilled to have Marlyse Reeves, a PhD candidate at MIT, sharing her inspiring journey from a science fiction enthusiast to a trailblazer in AI and technology. Our conversation spans a variety of compelling topics, including: Marlyse's...

The Voices of 2 Blocks is back! Tune in as our amazing co-hosts share what they have been up to and unveil an exciting new theme for Season 3.  Get ready for a season packed with captivating discussions and novel insights.

Season 2 of ‘Voices of 2 Blocks’ is now a wrap, and it truly has been an amazing journey! Our talented co-hosts have facilitated enlightening conversations with some of the most influential folks in Cambridge. They’ve shed insight into their guest’s thinking on educational equity and discussed ways of moving past ideas to action.   In the season finale, our co-host reflects on the journe...

Join us for an engaging and insightful episode of the Voices 2 Blocks podcast, where our co-hosts have the privilege of sitting down with Yi-An Huang, the City Manager of Cambridge. With extensive experience in healthcare, education, and consulting, Yi-An brings a fresh new perspective to the City government.  Throughout the podcast, we explore various topics, including our esteemed guest’s j...

Cambridge has been known as the “tale of two cities for decades.” On the one hand, it is home to world-renowned universities, cutting-edge science and tech companies, and an affluent population. On the other hand, it struggles with social and economic disparities, including educational inequality and a lack of affordable housing. This challenge is shared with our neighbor across the river, Boston,...

Andrea Windhausen, Senior Community Manager at BioMed Realty shares fascinating insights and lessons learned from her years of working with the community in various capacities. She truly embodies the first step in our design process - listening. What sets 2 Blocks apart from other initiatives that have attempted to address Cambridge’s tale of two Cities story is our focus on amplifying the voice o...

School Committee Member Caroline Hunter sheds so many insights in this episode that one must listen to it multiple times. She recounts the genesis of the first Student Data Report, which she and her colleagues produced in 1986/87. The report highlighted major educational inequalities within the Cambridge School District, and dubbed the District as "a tale of two cities." She takes us to the presen...

Tom Evans, Executive Director of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, sheds interesting insights into a number of areas including Cambridge's coordination problem. He says, we are rowing in the same direction but we're like a bunch of kyaks in the Charles River. Better coordination of efforts like a good crew team could move us closer to our goal.

Our co-hosts reflect on the past year and discuss lessons learned. Hang on until the end for their BIG announcement.

In our latest episode, Ryan McQuade Designer, Illustrator, and Educator at RLMG talks to our co-hosts about his involvement in iFp's early days and 2 Blocks since its inception. Ryan speaks about + differences between Creating Shared Value (CSV) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as mindset versus compliance. + his unique perspective in shaping college curriculums. + challenges of internshi...

Mayor Siddiqui covers a wide range of issues from Universal Pre-K, Achievement Gaps, Disparities between Kendall / The Port, and more.

Tarikh Campbell, Sr. Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager, Microsoft talks to the Voices of 2 Blocks team about Insights about the 2 Blocks Project from its beginnings Breaking Outside of Our Silos Corporate Social Responsibility vs Creating Shared Value Being Open Minded and more.

Our co-host starts Season 2 with Jess Pina, HR Talent Manager at Tank Design. Jess and Tank have been involved in 2 Blocks for over a year. What keeps them coming back? How might Tank be more involved in our learning? In spite of the momentum, what's holding us back from moving forward?

After the Summit, iFp Teens Jennat and Hermela had an opportunity to speak with several of our guests. In 2 Blocks Summit Part II, our co-host share reflections from discussions with Dr. Victoria Greer, Superintendent CPS Dr. Nicole Gittens Assistant Superintendent CPS Ayesha Wilson, School Committee Member Jess Pina, HR Talent Manager Tank Design Ryan McQuade, Designer / Illustrator, RLMG Geoff D...

It finally happened. We had Cambridge Public Schools Administrators, City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library, Policy Makers and business community in one room. Our guest came expecting to lean back and listen, however quickly they realized it was time to lean forward and talk. iFp Teens Jennat and Hermela break down the Summit which was composed of three discussion blocks. 1) Disconnects...

iFp Teens Jennat and Hermela continue talking to leaders from Kendall Square to raise awareness of the 2 Blocks narrative and gain insights into KSQ companies social impact strategies. Our hosts explore the differences between corporate social responsibility and a relatively new business philosophy called creating shared value. They ask can shifting to a creating shared value model increase partic...

How much of a difference can 2 Blocks from the most innovative square mile on the planet make? From our research, a lot! Cambridge, MA is known as home to MIT, Harvard and Kendall Square aka the most innovative square mile on the planet. Not as widely known is its tale of two cities story. Disparities in education credentials translate to a striking gap in access to the innovation economy. Less th...

Whose Impacted the Most? 1) Equity vs. Equality 2) Students Stuck in a Bubble 3) New Schools Same Learning 4) Racial Achievement Gaps within School District

iFp Teens Jennat and Eliana teases what's to come.