I’m an avid NPR listener. But twice this week I had to change the channel, because I just couldn’t handle the news. I was better off hearing the new Rihanna song for the 13th time in one morning. I know I’m not alone in this either. With enough content available on the Internet to keep us continuously reading, consuming, viewing and gaming for several lifetimes—and with more being created every second—it’s sadly much easier to find a story about corruption, greed or scandal then one of hope, triumph or justice. Lucky for you, I’m a trained journalist—which means I’ve got digging skillz. And I dug up three initiatives that have me excited. I’m not trying to cover up all the harsh realities of our world with this, but rather remind us there are people working hard to create positive change and that hey need our support to continue working. So, if you had to turn off the news today, this post is for you.
P.S. If you really want to stop hearing those stories, considering supporting one of these organizations or another you believe is serving a crucial need in our world.
Architecture For Humanity (AFH)
Architecture For Humanity won me over with their tag line—design like you give a damn. Um…HELL YEAH?! After a deep dive into their organization and the privilege of conversing with their enigmatic CEO (that’s Chief Eternal Optimist, mind you), Cameron Sinclair, I can tell you that this is a group that is getting shit done and making good on their endeavors. Many of us have lofty perceptions of the role of architecture and design play in our society. We uphold the Frank Lloyd Wrights and Shepard Faireys with such awe. Yet, so many times high design only works for elite projects that serve a very narrow (and usually wealthy) subset of a population. It would seem that design is for the rich—not so if you’re an AFH sort of human being.
If you’re a believer of designing (and living!) like you give a damn, this is an organization I highly recommend following and supporting. They’re doing good work that matters.
Hantz Farms
Before Detroit become Motor City USA and long before it became a symbol of the deteriorating US urban manufacturing core, this central Michigan region was an agrarian utopia. Its fertile soils fed thousands and supported a thriving culture of farmers. Today, Detroit is struggling—but it is not alone. There is a contingency of citizens hell bent on staging a comeback for Detroit. From neighborhoods joining forces to create safe passage for school children to and from class, to the innovative urban agriculture revival Hantz Farms is leading, the people of Detroit are determined to make their city better than ever.
What I love about Hantz Farms is that it simultaneously addresses so many issues: The demise of the family farm; lack of access to affordable, healthy, unprocessed foods; inequitable opportunities at green jobs; lack of cost-effective, clean energy options; the cycle of unsustainable business practices; struggling local business cultures; and inefficient dispersal of government resources. Hantz is investing in the future of Detroit by purchasing vacant or nearly abandoned lots and restoring purpose to the land. Keep in mind these are not issues unique to Detroit. Every large US city is working on this same set of issues, just from various positions on the spectrum. What if we started repeating the Hantz farms model? In Oakland, Cleavland, New Orleans, Riverside and St. Louis? Hell, just about every major US city has a district that could vastly benefit from programs like this. It’s something to think seriously about.
B Corporation
I got pretty stoked when I came across B Corporation and B Labs in my work. It was a rough afternoon of trying to maintain productivity, when I really just wanted to find out everything about them. Here’s what I’ve got so far—and why I’m so excited. B Corporation is an organization that is cultivating an entirely new breed of business. It’s a set of standards, certification and philosophic viewpoint that puts public benefit above shareholder returns and corporate profits. And it gets us another step closer to truly sustainable businesses becoming the norm rather than the exception.
Two states have already passed tax laws that give certified B Corporations preferred status (Maryland and Vermont). This is huge, however unfortunate, our business culture today requires financial incentives for many key players to make moves towards being better corporate citizens with genuine concern for their impact both up and down stream. B Corporation is very smart to include this in their strategy for achieving a BCorps stronghold on 5-7% of US GDP within a generation.
Now, don’t you feel a little bit better about the world?
Three Things That Give Me Hope
I’m an avid NPR listener. But twice this week I had to change the channel, because I just couldn’t handle the news. I was better off hearing the new Rihanna song for the 13th time in one morning. I know I’m not alone in this either. With enough content available on the Internet to keep us continuously reading, consuming, viewing and gaming for several lifetimes—and with more being created every second—it’s sadly much easier to find a story about corruption, greed or scandal then one of hope, triumph or justice. Lucky for you, I’m a trained journalist—which means I’ve got digging skillz. And I dug up three initiatives that have me excited. I’m not trying to cover up all the harsh realities of our world with this, but rather remind us there are people working hard to create positive change and that hey need our support to continue working. So, if you had to turn off the news today, this post is for you.
P.S. If you really want to stop hearing those stories, considering supporting one of these organizations or another you believe is serving a crucial need in our world.
Architecture For Humanity (AFH)
If you’re a believer of designing (and living!) like you give a damn, this is an organization I highly recommend following and supporting. They’re doing good work that matters.
Hantz Farms
What I love about Hantz Farms is that it simultaneously addresses so many issues: The demise of the family farm; lack of access to affordable, healthy, unprocessed foods; inequitable opportunities at green jobs; lack of cost-effective, clean energy options; the cycle of unsustainable business practices; struggling local business cultures; and inefficient dispersal of government resources. Hantz is investing in the future of Detroit by purchasing vacant or nearly abandoned lots and restoring purpose to the land. Keep in mind these are not issues unique to Detroit. Every large US city is working on this same set of issues, just from various positions on the spectrum. What if we started repeating the Hantz farms model? In Oakland, Cleavland, New Orleans, Riverside and St. Louis? Hell, just about every major US city has a district that could vastly benefit from programs like this. It’s something to think seriously about.
B Corporation
Two states have already passed tax laws that give certified B Corporations preferred status (Maryland and Vermont). This is huge, however unfortunate, our business culture today requires financial incentives for many key players to make moves towards being better corporate citizens with genuine concern for their impact both up and down stream. B Corporation is very smart to include this in their strategy for achieving a BCorps stronghold on 5-7% of US GDP within a generation.
Now, don’t you feel a little bit better about the world?