Shamichael is a social, civic, and tech innovator. Since 2017 he has served as the Senior Library Manager of the historic Cossitt Library in Memphis Public Libraries. Prior to this, much of his work was focused on the intersection of faith and technology. In 2013, he was a co-organizer for a faith-based hackathon called Code for the Kingdom. As a part of this movement he helped organize the largest faith-inspired hackathon which occurred in 15 cities across the globe.
America is facing an epidemic of loneliness and isolation, with troubling effects on our mental and physical health. We live in one of the most divisive times in our history, one in which we tend to work, play, and associate only with people who think as we do. How do we create spaces for people to come together—to open our minds, understand our differences, and exchange ideas?
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Shamichael Hallman argues that the public library may be our best hope for bridging these divides and creating strong, inclusive communities.