Dawn from Team Adisa gets a quick lesson before the boxing class starts at
Montopolis Rec Center, while Trey (our intern) captures the moment.
We believe meaningful community engagement begins with presence. That means showing up not just with questions — but with curiosity, respect, cultural humility, and a willingness to learn in ways we didn’t expect.
Case in point: what started as a casual conversation with our CEO a Lyft driver turned into a full-on boxing lesson at the Montopolis Recreation Center.
Yes, you read that right.
When we take on a new assignment, we dive deep to understand what makes a community tick. So as we begin shaping a community engagement plan for the City of Austin’s Grove-Riverside site, Team Adisa decided to lace up our gloves — literally — and meet longtime resident and boxing Coach Rob in the ring.
Sometimes, Community Engagement Starts with a Jab
Coach gave us more than a workout. As he walked us through drills and jabs, he also walked us through the heartbeat of the neighborhood—sharing stories of struggle, resilience, and his vision for the young people he trains. It was community engagement in its rawest form: movement, breath, story, and connection.
We were also joined by Santanu, Program Manager at the Rec Center, who generously shared the rich history of the space and its importance as a gathering point and safe haven for generations of families in Montopolis.
These early visits are helping shape the foundation of our work. We’ve started deep-listening conversations with residents and local leaders to better understand the dreams, challenges, and lived experiences that must guide our approach to Grove-Riverside.
Because sometimes community engagement does mean knowing how to fight—for resources, for equity, for a future shaped by those who live it every day.
And sometimes, it just starts with showing up.