How To Series – How to Turn Proximity into Equity with Shawn McClondon

Aug 27

Kristine Michie - Playfull Podcast Interview - Shawn McClondon

How To Series – How to Turn Proximity into Equity with Shawn McClondon

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, Kristine Michie is joined by Shawn McClondon, founder of the Sister Cities Project. Together, they explore how connecting affluent and underserved communities can foster honest conversations, economic opportunity, and a stronger democracy. Shawn shares the origin story of the Sister Cities Project following the murder of George Floyd and breaks down why proximity, relationship-building, and courageous dialogue are essential tools for racial and economic justice. From dismantling misconceptions to creating structural pathways for workforce development and entrepreneurship, this conversation offers a compelling roadmap for turning local connections into national impact.

Key Takeaways:

People are far more likely to help those they know and understand, which is why proximity and relationship-building across communities are so critical.
Everyone sits somewhere on a spectrum between racist and anti-racist, and what matters most is a willingness to keep taking steps toward greater equity.
Conversation is not a “soft” intervention; it can shape judges’ decisions, business opportunities, and policy attitudes by humanizing people across lines of race and class.
Sustainable equity work requires structure—clear models, measurable impact systems, and financial support that value dialogue, jobs, entrepreneurship, and fair school funding.
Talking about race takes courage, but it’s the path to healing we need to take.

"If we don't know people, we tend to not think that we're going to help or want to help. But the people that we know, we tend to help. The people we understand, we tend to help." — Shawn McClondon

"There are so many misconceptions and misunderstandings when it comes to people that live in very different communities." — Shawn McClondon

"I believe that the real change for America is conversation." — Shawn McClondon

More About Shawn McClondon:

Shawn McClondon is the founder of the Sister Cities Project, a San Diego–based nonprofit that partners affluent and underserved communities to foster honest conversations, economic opportunity, and more equitable schools. Driven by a mission to turn proximity into equity, Shawn has developed programs across workforce development, entrepreneurship, community connection, and education, creating a national blueprint for connecting communities across racial and economic divides.

Shawn’s Book: Understanding Each Other: The Blueprint for a New America

Connect with Shawn McClondon:

Website: sistercitiesproject.org/ https://shawnmcclondon.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnmcclondon/

Connect with Kristine:

The PlayFull Podcast: https ://po dc asts.apple.com/us/podcast/t he-playfull-po dcast-with-k ristine-michie-bringing-fun/id1676838213?ac tion=write-review

Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/

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