/ By Jackie Brennan / We’re still reeling from Upswell LA—an experience that exceeded our expectations in many ways. The success of our first trip out with Upswell is a testament to the people who rode the wave with us. We know we sound like a broken record at this stage, but again: Thank you…
/ By Tamieka Briscoe / When it comes to the YMCA, the highly recognizable “Y” symbol may bring several images to mind: the neighborhood fitness center, aquatics lessons, or many other recreational activities designed for youth and adults. In Long Beach, California, one of the nation’s most diverse cities, and the third poorest city in…
Just like Day 2, Upswell opened and closed with music. Rather than the cathartic beat of a drum to start the day, musically-inclined (and evidently gifted) changemakers gathered to learn the ukulele with YouTube sensation Ukulenny. The harmonic strumming set a nice tone for the day ahead. Here’s a look at what happened next… On…
Starting the Day with a Bang As the sun hid low behind the skyscrapers of Downtown LA and rush hour quietly hummed in the streets below, the serenity of the early morning Public Square was suddenly disrupted with a loud BOOM. A beat later, another BOOM echoed out, followed by a melodic stream of clacks…
After two years of planning, collaboration, and energy-building, it’s finally time for Upswell! Here’s a look at what’s happening on the ground in LA. Welcome to Los Angeles Wired into the DNA of Upswell is the idea of being immersive. What’s the point of being in a place like Los Angeles – a multi-cultural metropolis…
Introducing yet another changemaker who will be joining us in LA this week from Minnesota! Maia’s a native of South Minneapolis and has been an active force in the dance community—in Minnesota and nationwide—for over 20 years. She leads her own production company dedicated to giving all performers and audiences an equitable and engaging platform…
Dinosaurs and astronauts and cell labs! Oh my! Maybe that sounds like an unusual set design, but those are all fixtures in this Minnesota changemaker’s physical office space. Erica Valliant serves as community engagement specialist for the St. Paul-based Science Museum of Minnesota. In that role, Erica plays an integral role in ensuring that vital…
Extraordinary organizations are reinventing their approach to marketing to make a bigger impact. Learn how to evaluate your nonprofit’s marketing weaknesses and redefine the role marketing plays in advancing your mission. Don’t miss the Upswell workshop, Starting a Marketing Revolution at Your Nonprofit, on Thursday at 4pm in Room K-Town, presented by Prosper Strategies. According to…
Matthew Roberson is yet another fantastic changemaker joining us at Upswell as a member of Independent Sector’s 2018 American Express NGen Fellows cohort! Matthew leads the Department of Athletic Regulation for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. He’s also one of many changemakers who will be traveling from Minnesota to join us in LA. Get…
A few changemakers we’ve heard from ahead of Upswell have highlighted some of their favorite things about the physical space they work in. Rebecca Lechner’s space might be our runaway favorite, because she and her Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance team work in the space where Janet Jackson made her fourth studio record in 1989! Changemaker…