Caption: Kristen taking questions from participants
We had a vibrant and engaging session hosted by Chinonso and Juliet, featuring special guest Kristen Wlazelek, Product Marketing Manager at Google Local Guides.
Kristen shared her personal experience as a Level 7 Local Guide, expressing her excitement and commitment to reaching Level 8 through quality contributions that make a real impact. She encouraged attendees to stay active on the platform by adding thoughtful reviews, accessibility details, and meaningful photos that help people navigate places more easily.
One of the highlights of the session was Kristen’s open invitation for feedback. She genuinely wants to hear from the community about how accessibility can be improved on Google Maps and how the Local Guides program can better support this mission. It was an inspiring call to action for all of us to make our environments more inclusive.
Thank you all for showing up, sharing your voices, and helping to shape a more inclusive world. Together, we are not only mapping the world—we’re making it better for everyone everywhere!
What an insightful and inspiring session! @EmekaUlor
Kristen’s passion for meaningful contributions and her genuine openness to feedback truly stood out. It’s refreshing to see someone from the core team so deeply connected with the Local Guides community. Kudos to the One Accessibility team - @ChinonsoOnukwugha@Jesi@Julietezego for such a thoughtful and empowering session!
Thank you so much for this series, @EmekaUlor. It was great hearing from @Kristen_NYC about our impact on Maps by making these types of contributions focused on accessibility. I also appreciated her willingness to listen to the group for ideas and suggestions.
Connecting with all of you – both familiar faces and new members – was truly inspiring. Your passion for making Maps a more inclusive and accessible resource for everyone is infectious. It’s amazing to see a community so dedicated to such an important cause. Thank you for having me and for all that your contributions that make Google Maps better for everyone!
I thoroughly enjoyed this meetup and did not want it to end!! Always nice seeing @Erna_LaBeau and @PennyChristie!! Thank you @Kristen_NYC for joining and allowing us to express our thoughts as well, and actually offering insight that align!
You were wonderful and thank you to everyone that joined. The energy was at an all time high!
@EmekaUlor تحياتي للجميع.ارجو لكم جميع النجاح والصحه والهدوء.نعم ان امكانية الوصول حق للجميع.وارجو من الجمبع التركيز على هذه الناحيه.ان اصحاب الحلات الخاصه يعانون من عدم الوصول وهذا محزن.اتمنى ان يقر ذلك بقانون عالمي لخدمتهم..سلام لكم من الاردن
Hey @JustJake I really appreciate your support and presence. Local Guides like you motivate us to do more. Thank you for attending all our Meet-ups in May!
@Erna_LaBeau true, the little efforts we all made to create awareness a few years back has really made a difference and we won’t stop. We hope to keep the energy and motivation because more people need to take action.
@PennyChristie I was happy to go see you could join. I knew the time was odd for you but you found time to join. Totally appreciated.
@Mohdmohdaljaman it’s sad there are still barriers for PWDs but progress is being made. If we keep creating awareness and taking action those barriers will be removed and the world will become accessible for all. Thank you for your passion.
Hey @NunungAfuah it’s been a while. Thank you for your compliments.
@Kristen_NYC It was a very special moment for me and my teammates because you found time from your busy schedule to talk about this niche close to our hearts. Surely, we are motivated to do more and of course continue to make Maps more helpful and useful for everyone! Thank you🙏
What a wonderful and inspiring meetup it was. @Kristen_NYC was fabulous in sharing her local guide experience and @ChinonsoOnukwugha was such a wonderful host! Enjoyed attending the meetup thoroughly. It was nice knowing Kristen’s experience on accessibility. I’m pretty sure all the mothers with toddlers will be benefited from this.
Thank you @EmekaUlor for the wonderful recap. I will look forward to more meetups like these.
It was a wonderful experience meeting you all and getting insight on accessibility. I got to learn more than expected.
But my name is missing in the above list.
Looks like an amazing session @EmekaUlor , had another personal commitment so couldn’t join this one but have been a part of other GAAD meetups of this series and I am sure this session too must have been extremely knowledgeable! Thank you for arranging these sessions! Thanks to @jesi and everyone for hosting these .
Hey @ShreyaMusings my apologies. I missed yours because I used the photos captured meanwhile I have d added your name. Thanks for joining us. Happy Guiding.
Huge thanks to the amazing participants featured in the photo collage:
