January 2025 - Insights and Inspiration

The first Future Forward Wichita event of 2025 was a reminder of the power of collective imagination. We explored a range of topics, from technological advancements to evolving social dynamics and shifting economic models. These conversations were not just intellectually stimulating; they were inspiring. They ignited a sense of possibility and a shared commitment to building a future where Wichita thrives.

The future of Wichita rests in the hands of its citizens – in our collective vision, our collaborative efforts, and our belief in a brighter tomorrow. We opened the meeting talking with Brent Lewis, Executive Director of OneCommunity (first signal). Then discussed four additional signals of change and one emerging trend. All of these signals and trends fit in Future Forward Wichita’s Lead with Your CHEST framework. Three signals are highlighted below.

While you can get the abridged version of the “what” by reading these notes, the real power is in the discussion of the “so what” and “now what.” Even highlighted below, it will never capture the scope of discussion in one of these meetings. If the highlights inspire you, please join us in March. We’d love to have your unique perspective at the table!

• Local non-profit partners employers and employees to create a childcare solution. OneCommunity (Wichita-based) offers on-site childcare services with a more affordable, shared cost model, either on-site or shared, with higher pay and benefits for employees.

  • So what? Brent explained that he and his wife identified a problem (high cost, often unattainable childcare, keeping many from the workplace entirely, or unreliable childcare resulting in absences or employment loss), and he used his financial planning background to inspire and imagine a better way. The new model relies on employers, who want more reliable and affordable childcare to increase the pool of eligible workers. And the model works because employers know this investment will not only help their employees but will benefit the employees of the day cares, offering above market pay and benefits day care workers don’t normally receive.

  • Now what? What other problems exist in Wichita that someone’s unique perspective could help solve in a creative way? How can we, as a community, begin to identify the largest barriers to success, and work together to imagine solutions that build a stronger city for all of us?

• Spain introduces paid climate leave after deadly floods so workers avoid travel. The leave of up to four days protects well-being of citizens, prioritizing safety during emergencies, which are increasing frequency due to climate change.

  • So what? As climate change causes more frequent and more extreme weather patterns, all cities will have to prepare. Wichita is no different. How will companies put the safety of their employees ahead of work? In situations where employees can work remotely, will it make more sense to allow more frequent remote work days on days with high tornado risk? Or days with expected heavy snow, ice, or dangerous temperatures? What about days for recovery after extreme weather?

  • Now what? Consider how climate leave might fit into the future of your work. How can you, as a manager, be more flexible so employees can feel safe and be safe? Whether that’s being near their families, or simply off the roads to allow for safer travel for those who must be on the roads. In general, might it make sense to reduce overall travel for the purpose of climate impact?

• Tech enables learning without conscious effort via brain activity manipulation. Using brain imaging and neurofeedback to manipulate brain activity patterns, researchers cause participants to learn without conscious awareness.

  • So what? It’s interesting to consider how learning might change in the future. Just as AI has made studying and proof of learning shift over the past few years, what does a world look like where we no longer have to work to learn? This technology is probably far enough off, we don’t look at it like an immediate threat to learning, but rather, we discussed the implications of no longer having to learn. What could that time save look like? But, also, if we don’t have to learn, what will we lose? People driven by knowledge may not want to just know something, they like the process of learning. And often creativity comes at the intersection of two previously not-combined things. If we only know what something is, we may not have these sparks of creative genius. We also discussed some of the ways this technology could be used to make a bunch of “same” humans, or even impact through advertising or other control mechanisms. Regulation would need to stay ahead of this technology.

  • Now what? As tech like this continues to evolve, the best thing we can do is talk about it. How do we feel about it? What are the implications? Who wins and who loses? Who is most vulnerable?

I finished my day by visiting the Kitchens at Empower open house. I read about this project and was super excited when I saw they had an open house. I don’t have any immediate culinary dreams, but I love the work Empower is doing in the Wichita community, and the kitchen is near my neighborhood, so I signed up to attend! I hope I highlight these offerings accurately, as I’m not a cook or baker and have never worked in a commercial kitchen!

• They have a handful of kitchens, including prep spaces, places to use convection ovens, six-burner stove tops, fryers. And have equipment available for use, including a dough sheeter, stand mixers, and food processors. They also have pull-down power in each kitchen so you can bring your own equipment.

• There is a demonstration kitchen that can be used for classes, social media, pop-up kitchens, or online demonstrations. This space includes a griddle, fryer, convection oven, prep sink, six-burner stove and tabletop freezer. With a beautiful granite countertop workspace.

• They offer rental space for dry storage, refrigerator storage and freezer storage.

• Kitchens are available to rent by the hour (2 hour minimum), and signup include membership packages and pay as you go.

The purpose of Kitchens at Empower is to help someone move from hobby cooking, or cooking in their homes to create a more established, functional business, bridging the gap between the typical home kitchen into a commercial space, without the capital investment required.

But Empower doesn't want you to just have a kitchen to work in, they also want to help you with the licensing and insurance process, networking with peers, hosting events, business development, marketing, and other workshops and classes in their classroom space. Their goal is to help Wichitans realize their small business dreams.

It was such an exciting and inspiring space. Open, bright, friendly. And the functional design makes it convenient for those using the kitchens. Easy loading and unloading, plenty of room to work, top of the line equipment, all designed for those using the kitchens. If you have culinary dreams, check out Kitchens at Empower!