by Asia Jones
Urban Hikes Kansas City is highlighting the work of Horace Peterson, a local Black tech leader and founder of The Phoenix Collective!
In his business, Horace combines cutting-edge technology with captivating storytelling. The goal is to integrate local commerce with gaming to promote exploration, social interaction, and connectivity. Before The Phoenix Collective was blazing a trail in the tech world, its founder had a powerful role model leading the way: his father, Horace Peterson III.
Peterson III was a visionary historian who preserved and celebrated Black history in the Midwest. He founded the Mid-America Black Archives in 1974, a collection of artifacts, documents, and stories about Black America. He was passionate about empowering communities, building bridges, and ensuring Black voices were heard.
Horace IV is carrying on this work through The Phoenix Collective and below you can read more about the company’s impact.
Q: Can you briefly describe Phoenix Collective and its mission, highlighting how it brings gaming and local commerce together and inspires wellness, exploration, and community fellowship?
A: The Phoenix Collective is a vibrant game development group with a mission to create exceptional experiences by merging emerging technology, captivating narratives, and immersive environments. Our focus extends beyond traditional entertainment, as we actively integrate gaming with local commerce to empower small businesses. Through projects like The Balance Project, an augmented reality experience designed for smart-city integration, we aim to foster community engagement by connecting individuals with events, landmarks, and local businesses. Our unique approach encourages wellness, exploration, and community fellowship, creating a space where gaming becomes a catalyst for positive real-world experiences.
Q: What was your inspiration for Phoenix Collective?
A: The inspiration for The Phoenix Collective stems from a deep passion for both gaming and the potential of emerging technologies. Recognizing the transformative power of games to inspire, educate, and bring people together, I envisioned a platform that not only entertained but also contributed to the well-being of individuals and communities. The desire to bridge the gap between gaming and local commerce, with a focus on community engagement, led to the creation of The Phoenix Collective.
Q: How do you see gaming as a platform for promoting diversity, inclusion, and community engagement, especially among underrepresented groups?
A: Gaming serves as a powerful platform for creating a better world through gamification, as demonstrated by the collaborative efforts of game players today. In the digital realm, players come together to solve complex problems, share knowledge, and build communities. The immersive and interactive nature of games not only breaks down barriers but also showcases the potential for collective problem-solving and positive impact. Our mission at The Phoenix Collective extends this concept to the real world, envisioning a future where the same collaborative practices employed in gaming can address and solve real-life problems. By intentionally designing games that inspire collective action and problem-solving, we aim to demonstrate the transformative potential of gamification in fostering positive change and contributing to the betterment of our global community.