Although I missed last week’s Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards for the first time in years while traveling, a belated online review of the honorees was a highlight of my weekend.
Co-founded in 2009 by distinguished Harvard Professor Clayton M. Christensen, co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival Craig Hatkoff, and Rabbi Irwin Kula, the Disruptor Foundation promotes and encourages disruptive innovation and its application in society. Now in its ninth year, the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards celebrate those individuals and ideas that have broken through and had an impact, showcasing disruptive innovation in both business and far beyond. What knits all this together, as Craig has said, is that the Awards explore and honor “the irrepressible power of the human spirit”. Amen.
Once again, the scope and scale the honorees’ ambitions and achievements are simply breathtaking, truly expressing the innate capacity in each of us to be the best version of ourselves – and do more good. And if that sounds over the top - or you’re running short of time or simply having a bad day/week/month - simply read my sampling of six of 2018's Award winners below. Their stories are inspiring and you’ll find yourself in a different place after experiencing them.
A sexual assault survivor herself, Tarana Burke shares the heartbreaking story behind the genesis of the viral ‘me too’ movement, providing strength and healing to those who’ve experienced sexual trauma or harassment. The incredibly simple and courageous #metoo hashtag campaign, amplified by actress Alyssa Milano, has become a rallying cry for survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment everywhere– and Tarana’s powerful, poignant story as creator of what is now an international movement in support of survivors is inspiring.
Opher Brayer is an entrepreneur, business mentor, teacher, former jazz musician, and innovator with hundreds of methodologies to his name. He’s invested much of his life, and millions of dollars, to discover how talent can be designed synthetically in the human brain. Contrary to popular belief that talent is either only natural or comes through luck, Opher's methodologies clearly demonstrate that people can systematically develop multi-disciplinary 'genius' through talent development, management strategies and personal business relationships.
Beatrice Fihn is the Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), and the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Ms. Fihn has lead ICAN since 2013 working to mobilize civil society throughout the development of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. This includes developing and executing ICAN’s political strategy and fundraising efforts as well as representing the campaign in relation to governments, the United Nations, the media, and other international stakeholders and organizations.
Howard W.Buffet is an Associate Professor and Research Scholar at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. After formulating the research frame for social value investing, Buffett coauthored Social Value Investing: A Management Framework for Effective Partnerships which analyzes innovative collaboration and outlines a new methodology to assess social and environmental impact called Impact Rate of Return. Howard’s also the coauthor of the New York Times best-seller 40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World.
As the Founding Father of Hip Hop, DJ Kool Herc is a disruptive pioneer and creative force in the world of hip hop and rap music. 2018 marks the 45th Anniversary since the first ever hip hop party took place on August 11th, 1973 at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, giving birth to the Hip Hop culture. Influenced by his Jamaican upbringing, Kool Herc pioneered the “Merry-Go-Round,” his signature DJ style, which took advantage of the crowd’s reaction to his percussion breakdowns of popular tunes
Deborah-lee Furness is both an internationally acclaimed actress and a deeply passionate advocate for children. Deborra-lee is the co-founder of Hopeland, a platform established to raise awareness around vulnerable and abandoned children. The mission of Hopeland is to secure this global issue front and center on the political and human rights agendas, internationally. Mobilizing and influencing leaders across government, business, and civil society, to create innovative policies and solutions that help ensure children will belong in a safe loving home.
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