Together for Change

We often hear about the divide between rural and metropolitan areas but today we’re going to explore what that really means, the challenges that we face, and why, to really reach systems transformation, we need to face them together. 

This episode features Tony Pipa, a Senior Fellow of Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution, and Dream Gentry, the executive director of Partners for Education at Berea College. 

Learn more at StriveTogether.org.

Have you ever noticed that behind every superhero is a good origin story? It’s the tale of they got their superpowers and how they made the decision to fight for the good of others. But whether you are talking about one extraordinary person or a team of uncanny strength, the real superpower is the movement that they create. By planting the seeds of justice and hope, they can create real lasting change. 

Today, we going to explore the origin story of the Cradle to Career national movement and how that is now transforming the lives of millions of families. We’ll learn more about how the environment in which this movement was born parallels what we’re experiencing today and what lessons we can apply for those seeking to change. We’ll hear about some fail forward moments. Most importantly, we’ll talk about why this is a moment to truly feel a sense of hope. 

Today's episode will feature a discussion with Jeff Edmondson, the Executive Director of Community Mobilization at Ballmer Group and the founding executive director of the flagship Strive Partnership whose work became a national model for the concept of “collective impact” in 2010. And, we’ll also be joined by Jennifer Blatz, the current president and CEO of StriveTogether.

Learn more at StriveTogether.org.

As we get ready for Season 2, our host Christian Motley  takes a few moments to look back at some of the most impactful conversations from Season 1 while sharing some stories from his own journey as well. Highlights include wisdom shared from Angela Glover Blackwell, Colin Groth, Geoffrey Canada, Jennifer Blatz, Dan Heath, Bernadette Merikle, Toyin Anderson and more.

Season 2 is going to be even more exciting as we talk with change makers across the country about building to last.  Subscribe now!

Learn more at StriveTogether.org.

In this final episode of the first season of Together for Change, StriveTogether Executive Vice President talks with Enterprise Community Partners about housing and education. StriveTogether communities are working across housing and education to improve outcomes for young people and families. Hear examples from Memphis, Tennessee and Racine, Wiconsin.

Learn more at StriveTogether.org.

In episode 11, Harlem Children's Zone President Geoffrey Canada joins StriveTogether President and CEO Jennifer Blatz to discuss their life's work, improving outcomes for young people.  This work is rooted in place. Canada explains, "You can't think about dealing with problems without understanding place."

Learn more at StriveTogether.org.

In episode 11 of Together for Change, our host Christian Motley talks with community leaders from Rochester, New York, and StriveTogether President and CEO Jennifer Blatz on how parents can lead change in their communities.

Jackie Campbell, director of ROC the Future, describes how the Parent Engagement Collaborative Action Network is leading efforts to address inequities for children of color and children living in poverty. One parent leader, Toyin Anderson, explains how parents advocated for the removal of police officers from schools and are ensuring the educational needs of every child are understood and addressed.

"(Rochester) is really an example of co-development. Parents and young people have to be part of creating the solution," Blatz says. "And that takes time. It takes capacity and it takes intentionality."

Learn more at StriveTogether.org.

In episode nine, we invite PolicyLink President and CEO Michael McAffee and the Equity Research Institute Director Manuel Pastor to share how the new Racial Equity Index arms activists and community members with data to support equitable policies.

They explore with host Christian Motley why we need to look at the data to reimagine institutions designed to serve a multiracial society.

Learn more at StriveTogether.org.

In episode eight, host Christian Motley asks community leaders how they're tapping into the knowledge and expertise within their communities to share an equitable recovery. He's joined by StriveTogether Vice President of Equitable Results Parv Santosh-Kumar, Baltimore Promise Senior Director of Data Initiatives Bridget Blount and Community Center for Education Results Executive Director Bernadette Merikle.  They touch on timely topics such as the role of  youth and parents in advocating for police reforms in schools. They argue that leadership tables need to engage authentically with community members because they have answers to the issues that plague them.

Learn more at StriveTogether.org.

In episode seven of Together for Change, host Christian Motely talks with StriveTogether Vice President Josh Davis, Harlem Children Zone CEO Kwame Owusu-Kessee and Thrive Chicago Interim President Sonya Anderson about a national initiative called Stay Covered Together why public health during the pandemic  is critically important in the Black community.

Learn more at StriveTogether.org.

In episode six of Together for Change, StriveTogether's Christian Motley explores how one community applied the Theory of Action to pivot quickly to meet urgent needs of their community at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Rocky Mountain Partnership, formerly known as the Rocky Mountain Cradle to Career Partnership, is one of nearly 70 communities that make up the Cradle to Career Network. Together, this network impacted the lives of more than 12 million youth last year including six million children of color.

Learn more at StriveTogether.org.