Each year, at our Annual Public Service Award Dinner, the Ad Council celebrates the leaders and organizations that make our social impact campaigns possible. The Annual Dinner is an opportunity to showcase not only the campaigns moving the needle on today’s most pressing issues, but the dedicated community heroes who bring those efforts to life daily.
Five of those changemakers attended to share stories of impact, community and change with executives in the media, marketing, advertising and tech industries. Their stories remind us that when presented with a moment of decision-making, we each have the power to act. I caught up with these community heroes to understand how they create lasting change. They opened up about their inspiration, hopes for the future and advice for anyone looking to make an impact in their community.
Cecilia Marie Patterson is a U.S. Army veteran who channels her mental health advocacy into her work as a tattoo artist. She specializes in tattooing fellow veterans as an alternative way to help them cope with their mental health.
NT: Since becoming involved in social impact, what changes have you seen in your communities that give you hope for the future?
Cecilia: I have more and more clients that are getting tattooed by me that are in mental health fields, medical fields, or involved in a nonprofit that gives back to the community. That gives me hope that there are selfless people who give back. The more we can get involved and spark change, the more lives we can inspire and change for the better.
NT: What advice would you give others passionate about social impact who don’t know where to start?
Cecilia: For those who want to make a social impact and you don't know where to start, I suggest you do lots of research. Find other organizations that are doing something similar and reach out for advice. Become a sponge and absorb as much information as possible. You'll gain more confidence and develop a plan because with knowledge, you'll be unstoppable.
LaShana Lewis is the founder and CEO of L. M. Lewis Consulting, a diversity, technology, and nonprofit management consulting firm. As someone who navigated the employment market without a 4-year degree, she works with other STARs (Skilled Through Alterative Routes) like herself as the Chair of Opportunity@Work’s STARs Advisory Council.
NT: Since becoming involved in social impact, what changes have you seen in your communities that give you hope for the future?
LaShana: After my talks, people have often told me how either they or someone they know is going through the same thing that I did. I've met a few people who found out about my LaunchCode story and decided to go through the program. They landed jobs that were sometimes more than double what they made previously. Many felt empowered to switch fields and go into careers they thought were out of reach for them.
NT: What advice would you give others passionate about social impact who don’t know where to start?
LaShana: Keep telling your story. You never know who is listening, and who it's going to help. I tell folks that even if I'm on stage speaking to a room of hundreds, all I'm looking to do is speak to, at least, that one person who may feel unseen.
Ron Holden is the founder of Ride For Black Lives, a group bike ride in Los Angeles, CA. He started the movement during the pandemic to bring people together with a peaceful message of love and unity.
NT: Could you talk about your background, and what lead you to become involved in the social impact sphere?
Ron: My background is rooted in creativity and personal discovery. I didn’t grow up thinking I would “make an impact,” and I surely didn't dream about leading a cycling organization–birthed from the need of our community to have a positive outlet during a tumultuous time–to push the message of Ride For Black Lives. Things happen how and when they’re supposed to. I needed to do something; the urge to act was so loud I couldn't ignore it.
NT: What advice would you give others passionate about social impact who don’t know where to start?
Ron: If you’re passionate about it, you will do it; it will move you. You will find a way to leverage your gifts, talents, or passions with the message to unite others in your community around an idea. You can’t force it. You have to jump in 100 percent and be willing to put in the time and effort for others. Social impact is about everyone else around you. It is a selfless act.
Goodwin Living resident Sandy Connolly and staff member Ngoc Nguyen forged their friendship when Connolly volunteered to tutor Nguyen on U.S. history through Goodwin Living Foundation’s Citizenship Program. Nguyen, who moved to the U.S. from Vietnam in 2016, has since achieved her citizenship with Connolly’s companionship and support.
NT: Since becoming involved in social impact, what changes have you seen in your communities that give you hope for the future?
Sandy: When one is involved, we share our experiences to assert the awareness of the serious social crises and the importance of being involved. I see more people stepping up especially the Senior communities. We've had a full life and now the time and opportunity to give back by being involved in social programs, food pantries, English as a second language, citizenship programs, etc.
Ngoc: Since becoming involved in social impact, I saw that the [Goodwin Living] residents are so proud to live in a community that brings a good effect on the immigrants’ lives. As a new citizen, I appreciate the warm welcoming of the “hosts” to my new homeland, from that I will grow and pass on the good deed to my children.
NT: What does the future look like for you?
Ngoc: The citizenship tutoring program is a meaningful program, for any age, when you have free time. When you give away your time and energy, you place a “love brick” into your student. The more we build up, the more we exchange our knowledge, a house of love will be built, blended with our knowledge and mutual understanding.
Sandy: I see hope for our future. To deny the possibly of hope is to deny the future. Awareness and involvement through church, community programs and outreach activities – we need to reach out and give back, as we are the ones who receive.
While their stories may differ, each of these individuals shares a deep passion for championing change that we can emulate in our own circles. They challenge us to step up and meet the moment. What could the future look like in your community if you took action, too?
Photo Credit: Ken Cedeno