Creating positive social impact and prosperity is everyone’s business.
Social impact is about where you are silent, as much as what you say. It’s about the voices you decide not to listen to, as much as those you include. In November, ShedLight.org is taking a field trip South to reveal the stories of real people who are reframing local narratives and making the small changes in their communities that get culture “unstuck.”
Real change isn’t legislated, it’s locally grown. Join our journey to support Southern Changemakers.
Unheralded local Changemakers have made parts of the South incubators for social change. These people are smashing existing paradigms and re-imagining their communities in the process. But in today’s hyper-political, DC-focused media environment, their work is unseen, making it hard for them to raise needed funds—and impossible for any of us to feel their progress.
ShedLight’s “Southern Swing” will help us go beyond stereotypes and myths to understand the fundamental transformations happening every day in the South—within the context of its culture and in the shadow of its history.
As business and brand leaders, we play a crucial leadership role in driving positive social change for the wellbeing of our communities and organizations.
Focusing on the stories of Southern changemakers, will help increase their power by connecting them to other communities facing similar challenges. Also, our Southern Swing will foster connections between people doing on-the-ground work and individuals and organizations who want to learn from and support them with knowledge, time, money, and other resources.
The “home-movie style” storytelling videos that we create and share will humanize the day-to-day realities faced by these changemakers. They will give you an intimate view of problems being solved, as well as the beliefs, culture, food, music, and art that drive the positive spirit of their communities. This will shine a light on how culture is shifting in the South and how you can help build bridges across the geographic divide we often experience.
Our Journey:
- Richmond, VA was the capital of the South, so it’s only logical that we start with some of the history that goes along with understanding the culture of the South and its impact on the present.
- In Lynchburg VA, we plan an unlikely pair of visits to understand the yin and yang of local culture, including Liberty University and conversations with a local performing arts non-profit.
- Rockingham, NC makes most people think of NASCAR—but in addition, we will also investigate the energy of the local community in sparking conversations about “grown folks’ business.”
- In Wilmington NC, we will go straight to the source: the local barber shop, where we’ll hear from locals about the attempt to transform the North side and learn from the accomplishments of a 77-year-old community activist.
- We will wrap up our trip with a visit to Charleston SC, where we will explore the history of the Gullah people and the current social justice initiatives of a local church. We will also savor some great food and share some amazing Southern music.
While we won’t be sharing these stories at SXSW, we will share them throughout the trip and in our Winter StorySlam so stay tuned!
The Ask:
- CHECK OUT our Fundrazr page for more details will be posting throughout the trip. Travel with us virtually and ping us with questions.
- Please DONATE to the cause to receive your great ShedLight gifts and participate in upcoming events.
- Most importantly, remember to SHARE on social media!
Funds will be used to help us create a ShedLight storytelling video essay of the trip while supporting local changemakers and their community-based organizations with high-quality videos that they can use in their outreach, on their websites, and in fundraising. ShedLight.org will include the videos in conversations and presentations, as well as on our website, YouTube channel, and other social media.
We all look forward to a day when we can all recognize our mutual humanity, no matter where we’re from or our political leanings. This trip, and our video storytelling, are just one small step.
About ShedLight
We Work with You to Navigate our Shifting Culture.
We help organizations include the untold stories of all of the people you sell to, serve, employ, and influence so you can confidently navigate this moment of complex cultural change. Together, we will co-create a roadmap that shows you when to lead and who to follow; what partnerships to pursue, and how to authentically serve your stakeholders. In today’s tough social environment, this is how you achieve success.
We’d love to hear from you
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