From: Kristin Munn
Columbus
For those who attended Friday’s sold-out “A Night of Two Taylors” show at “The Oil Can” (formerly North Christian Church) – it was a magical evening of music, entertainment, and gathering, in arguably one of the coolest venues of all time. More than a concert, however, it was a testament to the power of innovative leadership, hard work, and fresh ideas.
Credit must be given to both long-standing community stewards and the bold, innovative leaders who took a stance to reimagine what this space could be. Kudos to homegrown talent Jason Hatton (Bartholomew County Public Library), Brooke Hawkins (Columbus Area Arts Council, and Steve Sanders (Stephen Sanders Consulting/Crump Encore) for their willingness to think beyond convention and to embrace new possibilities. Our next generation of leaders is proving that honoring the past and embracing the future are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they are breathing new life into cherished spaces, finding creative ways to bring people together, and making things happen with energy and vision.
As our community grows, we need leadership that is in touch with the changing demographics and invested in the future. Moving forward, I believe we can feel confident that a new generation of leaders have learned from the best. They are embracing community values such as high aspirations, collaboration, good design, and being forward-thinking, and they remind us that the best leadership is not about choosing between past and future but about weaving them together into something even greater. The Oil Can Concert was a great reminder of the special community we live in, and what is possible when we make room for new ideas and new seats at the table. The best is yet to come.
