7 Comprehensive Tips for Using Your Creative Abilities to Make a Difference
“You can't go wrong if you're meeting your audience or community where they are. Engagement is still key. Organizations that are effectively and consistently using social media to "meet" and stay in touch with potential supporters see much success.”
-Ora Wiseman, Founder Cause-Driven™
By Natasha T. Brown
On any given day you can pickup The Washington Post and read about a number of pressing issues in our neighborhoods that need comprehensive, community-oriented solutions from domestic violence, a spike in crime, school truancy, HIV/AIDS prevention, or foster care overload. On Friday, November 30th, for instance, I had the pleasure of sitting on a panel tackling teen domestic violence presented by Dreams Work, Inc. and the United Way. Fellow panelists included Prince George’s County States Attorney Angela Alsobrooks, The William Kellibrew Foundation, Karma Cottman of the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and others. During this dialogue, followed by a dramatic production by the teens of Dreams Work, Inc. influencers like Actor/Recording Artist Anwan “Big G” Glover (of The Wire), who is the co-founder of Dreams Work; Dre All Day in the Paint, an originator of the term “DMV” for our regional entertainment movement, Blogger SareaFlo and various others partnered with community leaders such as Tony Lewis, Jr., and Ebenezer Senior Youth Minister Akil Dickens to have an uncomfortable conversation about dating violence from various perspectives. The event was powerful and effective, leaving everyone in the room armed with practical tools on how to help those in need and prevent themselves from becoming a victim or abuser.
Programs that unite social influencers to tackle hard-hitting issues can never go wrong. Dialogue is important. Connection to the population at risk is important. Addressing problems directly through creative approaches is VITAL.
This week, I spoke with ‘creatives’ and community organizers, and we’ve provided a tip sheet on exactly how to leverage your creative ability to tackle pressing social and community issues:
1. Create Partnerships and Coalitions where Everyone Benefits
District Resident/Community Organizer Maceo Thomas, founder of the Capital Hip-Hop Soul Festival (2008-2010) says that artists have a lot to gain by creating alliances with organizations.
“Capital Hip-Hop Soul Festival was able to do it (with little money) by building partnerships where everyone gets something out of it. I knew people that were in organizations and their need was to reach people,” Thomas said. “Artists have the ability to reach people because of their musical ability or because people like their paintings and they have value to gain by working with organizations who tackle HIV/AIDS, violence or local issues like people vandalizing Metro bus stops.”
2. Always Cultivate Relationships with Partners and Potential Partners
Organizations and individuals’ needs change constantly. If you’re an artist or social influencer, keep your finger on the pulse of your community partners or those who are working in issues that interest you. For people to work together, we have to know what each other’s needs are.
3. Utilize “Crowdfunding” Techniques for Fundraising
Crowdfunding is the collective effort of individuals who network and pool their resources, usually via the Internet, to support efforts initiated by other people or organizations.
“Kickstarter has been really popular and many artists and organizations have successfully funded projects via Kickstarter. (The only drawback is you have to raise all the money indicated in the designated time or you will not get the proceeds.),” according to Ora Wiseman Educator/Social Influencer and creator of Cause-Driven™, which partners with organizations in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area to empower youth and strengthen underserved communities through various arts, health, education and cultural initiatives.
Visit gofundme.com and watch the video below for details about this fundraising technique.
4. Think of the Problems You Faced/Face Along your Journey and Align with Youth Who You Can Impact
“I’ve been through domestic violence, and saw my sister fighting her boyfriend before and was taught that I had to be a bully,” said Anwan “Big G” Glover of Dreams Work, Inc./Backyard Band, and Actor on The Wire and various other productions. “Me and Dan (Bradley) use these tools and the stuff that we’ve been through to motivate the kids who we work with.”
Today’s youth are the future leaders of tomorrow, and it’s vital that we continue to pour as many positive resources and lessons learned from our past into this generation in order to make the future brighter. Two artists that I work with are doing just that through their music and community initiatives.
A few weeks ago I was distributing “Victoria,” an intro video and precursor to Hip-Hop Artist Shatiff’s (of Authenticore) upcoming album Lost Articles of Steve Jenkins. The Victoria video shows Shatiff speaking knowledge to his kids about respecting and loving women and treating them correctly. Messages like “Victoria” are necessary, and as a publicist my job is to ensure that the overall importance of projects like this are communicated in thought-provoking ways.
Authenticore, Shatiff, Smile Nationwide and various community partners are gearing up to launch a program called the 2013 Sons and Daughters Regional Resolutions Campaign to ensure that leaders teach youth powerful lessons to help orchestrate their success in 2013 and beyond.
Apollo-winner and Soul Singer Reesa Renee is no different. Her plans for the Reelease Foundation (a play off of her debut album) are to simply befriend youth who are down and out, dream lacking and possibly troubled to help them discover their own dreams, reelease their frustrations in creative ways and ultimately become happier and healthier.
What have you gone through and what can your journey teach the younger generation? If you have ideas on what you’d like to do and want a partner to help you bring your philanthropic goals to fruition, please contact community-organizing coalition Smile NATIONWIDE who can help.
5. Don’t Underestimate the Value of your Coalition When Searching for Venues or Other Resources
“I’ve never paid to be in a venue, because I offer to have my community-oriented programs during times when the venue needs people, not on a Saturday night for instance. Finding what everybody’s needs are and finding out how to give value to an organization always works,” Thomas added.
If you present your program in the right way – explain that you’ll be brining 50 to 150 people (be as accurate as possible), who will each spend on average $20 on the bar and food, who have influence, who will be tweeting using XYZ hashtag during the event, that photos will be taken and will be shared all over the net, highlighting their venue – you should not have to come out of your pocket for good program space. Many restaurants, bars, nightclubs have a social responsibility culture that gives them room to support local community-based programs. Once you’re done selling your important program, the venue should be offering to pay you – with something!
6. Research Programs that your Local and Federal Elected Officials are Tackling and See How Your Talent Might Add to their Efforts
What’s important to you? Is it anti-bullying prevention, keeping kids in school, reducing the pregnancy rate of teenagers, safe sex? Research and find a locally (funded) non-profit and your city/county council members, judges, lawyers who have created programs that are already working to fight such causes. Have a brainstorming session with yourself or your partners and figure out exactly how you can offer a beneficial program to those people or organizations.
If you’re an artist, the positive public relations are rewarding. I’ve seen this firsthand with my artist, 9-year-old Chi Chi Monet who has used her music to send powerful messages to youth around the topics of bullying, avoiding strangers and childhood obesity. Due to her advocacy through music, Chi Chi Monet has been flown to Boston to perform for City Year, has participated in a handful of Peace Rallies by the Metropolitan Police Department and entertained in front of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. This week, she’ll even be featured on ABC 7 News.
7. Get Hands-On
Organize. Mobilize. Socialize, and Volunteer.
“Volunteerism and hands-on service is an excellent way to make an impact. You get the opportunity to witness the work taking place. There's the instant satisfaction of knowing your help has made a difference and the human connection is priceless,” said Wiseman.
Additional ideas for
a. Filmmakers: Volunteer to shoot and promote a PSA for a cause you support,
b. Painters: Take a note from Demont Peekaso and auction paintings for a cause or volunteer to live paint at a charity benefit,
c. Recording Artists: Research and join Will Rap 4 Food Inc., and participate in charity concerts, sell tickets and perform to raise money for an important cause,
d. Publicists: Put together an event or social media campaign to bring light to an issue and reach out to people directly, ask them to get involved and share,
e. Service Providers: If you own a recording studio, barber shop restaurant, clothing store, donate a gift certificate, time or a service to be either auctioned off or donated as a giveaway or prize package at a charity event.
f. Write letters, emails and tweet your network and let them know you’re a creative individual who would like to get involved for the good of your community!
Please use your artistry and social influence for good, especially during this holiday season. If you’re on Twitter, follow all of the young, philanthropic, influencers we’ve mentioned in this and previous articles:
@MaceoPiques, @OWise, @AllDayInDaPaint, @AnwanBigGGlover, @ShatiffDMV, @ReesaRenee, @Betta_Mo, @RansomMiller, @ProjectGiveback, @MrTonyLewisJr, @MelisaKim @WillRap4FoodInc, @YoDiddy, @TalkOfDC, @DreamsWorkInc @SunniAndTheCity and @SmileNationwide.
Natasha Brown is a writer and founding communications strategist of Think Brown INK, a creative think tank and strategic communications agency in the Washington area. Follow her on Twitter @TBINatasha or @ThinkBrownINK.