Radha Agrawal is a community force. Founder of Daybreaker - the massive morning dance party that occurs monthly in 25 cities worldwide and has a community of almost half a million people – named “one of 8 women who will change the world” by MTV, and author of BELONG: Find Your People, Create Community, and Live a More Connected Life, she has dedicated her adult life to fostering connection and community in a fragmented, disconnected world. It’s the great paradox of the digital age: the internet connects us to millions of people, yet we feel more isolated than ever with 1 in 4 Americans saying they have zero friends to confide in. Social media has become the new fast food—the initial rush of happiness and instant gratification quickly replaced by feelings of loneliness and disconnect once the phone is put down. It’s easy to get likes but hard to make a friend. Agrawal calls this “community confusion.” Through her work with Daybreaker and national brands such as Nike and Whole Foods, Agrawal has worked to end that trend and create a sense of belonging for all.

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.