Movement Maker Collective

It’s International Women’s History Month, and the perfect time to celebrate trailblazers around the world. Dr. Brooke Stubbs is an innovator in medicine. But you could also say she’s an innovator in Me-Sets. Brooke founded a medical practice in Austin called Rooted Femme.

If you’ve already read my book “Find Your Fire: Stories and Strategies to Inspire the Changemaker Inside You,” you’ve met Dr. Karen Weaver, the former mayor of Flint, Michigan, and one of the most inspiring #Firestarters I know. In honor of International Women’s History Month, I felt called  to give you an update on Karen’s story. 

The movement started by the National Black Professional Lobbyists Association is one that I’m very excited to be part of. Founded by Gregory Jones, John Heath and Yolanda C. Jackson, this organization started three years ago to increase opportunities for Black lobbyists and to promote diversity and inclusion in lobbying, advocacy, legislative and government affairs.

What does laundry have to do with a Great Me-Set? Glad you asked. A Me-Set requires freeing up some time and energy in your life. And one way to do that is getting some routine tasks, like laundry, off your plate. That’s just what Hampr allows you to do.

We know all too well lately that perhaps nothing hurts us as deeply as the loss of a young person. And it’s a tragic reality, but we’re losing more and more children and adolescents to suicide. For longtime philanthropist and volunteer Andra Liemandt, the world changed when a dear friend’s daughter lost her life to suicide at only 12 years old. Andra began looking for ways to process her heartbreak and open conversations with her own children. As she did, something that surprised her happened: a movement was born.

Clothing by VOZ is breathtaking to behold. Each item exudes timeless luxury and attention to detail. But there’s a deeper beauty to VOZ as well, which lies in the story behind the brand. VOZ’s elegant dresses, tops, knitwear and other pieces are created in collaboration with indigenous Mapuche artisans in Chile.

Your nonprofit will fail if you’re unable or unwilling to adapt to the changing circumstances. It’s that simple. This fact was made clear by the pandemic, which accelerated the failure of organizations around the world. On the other hand, it has also accelerated the success of organizations that are ready to make changes and think differently. I’m here to tell you that uncertainty and risk can be actual tools for growing your nonprofit.

Stepping into the person that I have become today took numerous leaps of faith, and more shots in the dark than one could possibly count. In fact, taking risks has become so embedded in me, I am not sure how I could even begin separating my personality from it. When I got accepted into the undergraduate program at The University of Oklahoma, I had even titled my paper, “Take the Jump,” not knowing how much those words would mean down the road.

The inspiration for The Greenwood Project was born soon after Elois and Bevon’s daughter was. “We were talking about the opportunities that she was going to have because of our network,” Elois says. But as they talked about the doors that would be open for her daughter, they also knew that those same doors would be closed to many other gifted young people of color who lacked access to the same kind of network.

Mindy is the founder of the Women of Austin project. I met Mindy when she asked to feature me on the Women of Austin video podcast, and I knew that I had to introduce her to you, too. Mindy really exemplifies how the movements within us are deeply linked to the movements we build out in the world.

I wrote my book “Find Your Fire: Stories and Strategies to Inspire the Changemaker Inside You” as fuel for #Firestarters — the people who see the needs that others ignore and who use all their gifts to spark change. So there’s nothing more thrilling for me than hearing from readers who made “Find Your Fire” their handbook for building movements. Readers like Alexandria French.

One of the things that I’m most passionate about is helping more women become elected officials. That passion is why I’m on the Advisory Board of the LBJ Women’s Campaign School at the University of Texas at Austin. And it’s why I want to share with you the story of Amy Kroll, the founder and executive director of the Campaign School.

But that's exactly what Kristen Sosa did. We're excited to tell you that Kristen is the youngest entrepreneur we've ever featured here on the Movement Maker Collective blog. And we're even more excited about what the future holds for her company, BLANK Streetwear.

For the past two weeks, America has seen protests, riots and looting in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police. During this time, I've seen plenty of comments like this online. Maybe you have, too.

For the past two weeks, America has seen protests, riots and looting in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police. During this time, I've seen plenty of comments like this online. Maybe you have, too.

I've heard you. This moment in our country's history has changed you. And you're ready to turn this moment into a lasting movement. You want to create a more fair, just and equitable world. You just need to know how to get started. And that can feel like a big question when there's so much you want to change. But you're not on your own. As a lobbyist, community leader and a social impact strategist with a graduate certificate in diversity, equity and inclusion from Cornell University, I want to share my toolkit with you.