Allen Smart – Investing in Rural America

“Booming immigrant communities in rural America look very different than what you might expect. This sense of rural and what it means needs further discussion elaboration on how it fits into the larger American profile.” – Allen Smart, Founder of PhilanthropywoRx

Allen Smart is a national spokesperson and advocate for improving rural philanthropic practices under his group – PhilanthropywoRx. He is also the Project Director for a national rural philanthropic project based at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina. Allen regularly consults with regional and national foundations on rural and philanthropic strategies.

In this episode of Innovation for All, Allen discusses the complexities of rural America and how a lack of acknowledgement of its diversity is holding back the work being done there. 

In this episode you will learn:

  • What diversity looks like in rural America
  • How the misunderstanding of rural communities is a barrier to development
  • How philanthropic, government and businesses can improve their work in rural communities 
  • Why there is a sense of frustration within rural America
  • Whether the sudden interest in investing in rural America is being done right
  • How diversity, specifically immigrants and communities of color, is both an old and new issue that must be addressed in rural America 
  • How to invest in the talent and skills of rural entrepreneurs
  • What the future of rural innovation looks like

Links and mentions:

Connect with Allen

Stereotyping Appalachia: What Tech Gets Wrong feat. Dr. Sherry Hamby

In this episode of the Innovation For All Podcast, Sheana Ahlqvist talks to Dr. Sherry Hamby, a Research Professor of Psychology at the University of the South and a Director of the Life Paths Research Center (LPRC). They talk about the role of technology in peoples daily lives. They discuss Appalachian attitudes and values, ResilienceCon and how different societies operate in a technology-centric environment.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR:

  • The culture of values and skepticism that makes Appalachian resistant to technology
  • What are the attitudes and stereotypes about Appalachia?
  • How are low income regions like Appalachia portrayed?
  • How different forms of violence are shifting online, for instance Cyber bullying
  • The negative effects on relationships from technology
  • How do people feel about Privacy invasion, data protection and cyber-crimes?
  • Is protecting our own privacy equally distributed among the rich and the poor?
  • What are the differences between how rural and urban societies operate?
  • How do regulations fit in all this?
  • The importance of consent in letting technology earn the trust of people.

Sheana and Sherry also talk about ResilienceCon.

LINKS

OTHERS MENTIONED

  • Orange is the New Black
  • The Simpsons
  • Yelp
  • Amazon
  • GDPR
  • Apple
  • Facebook
  • TED Talks
  • Jeff Temple
  • Emily Rothman

CONNECT WITH SHERRY

  • Find Sherry on Life Paths Research