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Today we’re introducing Molly Martin, who’s the director of New America’s Indianapolis office, which is a company based in Washington D.C. She spills the tea on local nonprofits in Indianapolis, the trivia game that makes her confidence soar, and the reason behind her recent fuzzy pink slipper purchase. Passing the baton to you, Molly!
My Maven Superpower is … nosiness. I am a professional eavesdropper. I want to be nosy and find out how I can talk about what other people are doing and help them access resources and networks.
Best book I’ve read lately is … Civic Power: Rebuilding American Democracy in an Era of Crisis. It was written by a few coworkers of mine at New America and discusses how communities are working to talk about community lead participatory budgeting.
Self-care habit I swear by is … Oreos. Eating too many Oreos. And also getting lots of sleep.
Career advice I live by is … “There but for the grace of God go us all.” It’s kind of like a life mantra/career mantra. You really are awfully lucky to be wherever you are. We’re all one bad break away from a very different fate. I’m not even a religious woman, but the thought just makes so much sense.
Favorite purchase I’ve made lately would have to be … my Zoom shoes. I bought these ridiculous “Miss Piggy” looking marabou pink slippers, and I find them very comfortable and very glamorous.
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The local non-profit I’m most excited about it … the Alkemy project from Kheprw Institute, helping to create an ecosystem that better supports non-White entrepreneurs in Indianapolis. Their new Entrepreneurship Hub opens this year.
I feel most confident in … a game of Name That Tune. I am an absolute beast at music trivia.
Favorite thing to do in Indy is … to just have the best time. I like seeing shows in smaller venues, even The Vogue or the Hi-Fi or downstairs at Old National Center.
Local restaurant dish I can’t stop ordering is … St. Elmo’s shrimp cocktail. Gotta burn out those sinuses.
Podcast I recently binged is … “You Must Remember This.” I’m a huge fan and movie fanatic. Good ones, bad ones, old ones, new ones. “You Must Remember This” focuses on histories and scandals and the social context of the first century of Hollywood, and I absolutely love it.
My fail-safe host gift is ... things that remind me of Indianapolis, so great postcards of things like the Walker Theatre. I started giving those to my D.C. co-workers and they always get a big kick out of them.
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