06/03/2026
While on vacation in Orlando, I made a quick trip to Tampa for work… kinda.
I had a meeting with a prospect who is from the area. The contract was not guaranteed, but I was curious anyway. Why not take advantage of the opportunity and explore that part of the city through the eyes of the neighborhood?
So I did.
I noticed the diversity in race, the focus on growth in the area, and also the signs of gentrification with limited access for some of the rural communities surrounding it. It was interesting to take in.
One thing that really stood out to me was seeing a Sprouts right next to the university. For those who may not know, Sprouts is a more high-end grocery store. Then, right around the corner, there was a rural community that appeared to be struggling.
That contrast was hard to ignore.
A university. A canal. New development. A high-end grocery store. Then, just a few minutes away, a community that does not seem to have the same access to all of that growth.
It reminded me of Tuscaloosa, known across the nation for the ROLL TIDE mantra, but with the Black Belt not far away still neglected to this day. So many people in those surrounding communities still have limited access to the university and the opportunity connected to it.
I took photos, as you can see, and created a little “diary” for AI to help me process what I was seeing. And this is where I think AI can be powerful.
Not to create a false narrative for a brand that is out of touch.
But to help you make sense of what you are observing.
To tell it what you saw. To ask questions. To connect the dots. To help organize your thoughts so you can tell the story with more clarity and care.
I say all this to say, communications is about telling a story.
How can you really tell the story if you have not seen it, felt it, or experienced it for yourself?
I challenge communicators, marketers, and storytellers to go back to old-school research methods. Walk the neighborhood. Take the photos. Ask questions. Pay attention to what is growing and who may be getting left out.
AI can help you put the pieces together, but you still have to be willing to go see the story for yourself.
