The (IM)Possible project hopes to foster empowered minds and promote positive change by reminding the world that amazing occurrences are not as rare as they seem.
Jeffrey Wilson, Veronica Nhio-son, Funmi Olomodosi, and Andrea Coxworthy have recently launched the (IM)Possible Project website and YouTube channel inspired by Professor Wilson’s interest to present sustainability education in a more positive light. The project shares stories through blogs and videos that highlight when the seemingly impossible became possible.
This project shares a wide array of impossible-possible stories highlighting events from a diverse set of perspectives. Some topic examples include nature, innovations, and stories of people breaking barriers. The stories are meant to bring hope and empower a positive mindset in others. The (IM)Possible project presents bi-weekly stories and monthly videos to keep you inspired and empowered in your journey.
The initiative began as an idea one December morning in 2020 as Professor Wilson prepared his lecture materials. “I was reflecting on the course material and how we often present environmental and social challenges, the state of the world, and the prospects of our future as bleak and depressing.” Presenting sustainability in this way undermines optimism, which is counter-productive to fostering sustainability leadership.
Dr. Wilson found himself wanting to change that story and bring a more positive perspective to how students perceive the challenges that are presented to them. This led him to think BIG and imagine what could be possible. During his second term teaching, he challenged himself to start a project of sharing impossible-possible stories with his students in each lecture. He also provided them the opportunity to share their own inspiring stories through an assignment. Moving beyond the constraints of the lecture hall, he shared the “impossible” idea of using the stories to create a website, videos, a best-selling book, and eventually funding student scholarships – this became the (IM)Possible Project.
In that lecture, sat Veronica Nhio-son, an undergraduate Environment & Business student, who had similar concerns about the current state of mind around environment and sustainability issues. Veronica Nhio-son said, “I hadn't realized how common it was to view environmental discourse as both intriguing and overwhelming. It wasn't until I reached out to my peers and professors that I noticed people’s reluctance to talk about hope for our future.” This is what led her to partner with Dr. Wilson and develop an initiative aimed at boosting moral and reminding students and the broader society, “of all that is still possible,” Veronica Nhio-son.
By joining the initiative and offering her talents for writing and blog management, Funmi Olomodosi helps to share the stories that others have submitted to the project. In doing so, she acts on her belief that, “It’s […] important for people to see examples of when, what was deemed impossible, became possible so that they can recognize their own capability to enact change."
Andrea Coxworthy was inspired by Dr. Wilson’s story and the videos that Veronica began to produce. This led her to offer her skills in writing and web design to help see the project move closer to its goal. She believes that, with perseverance, determination, and the right mindset anything is possible.
They are excited to share stories through their website and YouTube channel.
If you have an impossible victory you would like to share or other questions about the project you can submit them HERE or contact the team directly at ImpossibleProjectOfficial@gmail.com