The 2024 StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network Convening in Salt Lake City brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from across the nation, including educators, community leaders, policymakers, and advocates, all focused on improving the lives of children and families through collaborative strategies and collective impact. Representatives from Generation Next, as well as our fellow Education Partnerships across Minnesota, shared about our work and learned from other communities in four plenary sessions and focused discussions that emphasized the importance of collaboration and sharing best practices.The event provided an opportunity to explore innovative, data-driven methods for community engagement while fostering important connections among network members. Together, these efforts underscored the vital role of collective impact in driving real change.
Impact, Individual Agency, and Resilient Communities
Before the Convening kicked off on Thursday, members of the communications and marketing network came together for a strategic communications session focused on “Building awareness, understanding, and demand for a new civic infrastructure.” This session emphasized a commitment to an informed, data-driven approach to engaging communities through communication.
A significant point of discussion was the research StriveTogether has conducted on its communications and marketing strategies, aimed at crafting messages based on data and stakeholder feedback. The session illustrated how insights can be transformed into practical actions, allowing for more targeted communication.
Initial findings from the StriveTogether marketing team pointed out that the landscape of economic mobility is heavily politicized. They stressed the need to center messages around outcomes—the “why” behind various initiatives—rather than just the processes. The importance of stakeholder-focused storytelling emerged as a key strategy for bringing together different partners and bridging gaps in previously siloed efforts.
To create inclusive and effective messaging, three key issues were identified: impact, individual agency, and resilient communities. This session emphasized the need for segmenting messages that align with these issues, fostering a shared language across various stakeholders.
Ultimately, StriveTogether stated that their goal is to empower youth to become the authors of their own futures, and they highlighted the importance of a civic infrastructure that supports opportunities for youth.
Tackling Deep-Rooted Issues Requires Thoughtful Strategies at the Local Level
The opening plenary on Thursday, September 26th featured StriveTogether CEO Jennifer Blatz and Dr. Manuel Pastor, Professor of Sociology and American Studies & Ethnicity at the University of Southern California.
Jennifer emphasized the importance of collaboration within the network to support 4 million young people – the goal of StriveTogether’s 2030 strategic plan. She stated that local solutions are crucial for national impact, and that StriveTogether communities across the country are leading the way. Jennifer expressed that the StriveTogether network demonstrated resilience during the pandemic, aiming to expand place-based collective innovation globally.
Jennifer then went over the StriveTogether 2030 Strategy and its key priorities, which are:
- Strengthening the network.
- Driving equitable policy changes for community transformation.
- Supporting talent development via a training hub.
- Raising awareness about civic infrastructure and community work.
Dr. Manuel Pastor’s keynote speech highlighted the digital divide and racial generation gap exacerbated during COVID, which he said has led to increased economic anxiety. Dr. Pastor also addressed persistent racial disparities of young people and the implications for national well-being. Dr. Pastor also advocated for projects and policies that promote community power to drive systemic change.
Jennifer and Dr. Pastor then sat down for a conversation together. Dr. Pastor highlighted the essence of the solidarity economy, urging a shift in how we conceptualize our economic systems. As he put it, “We need to stop talking about the economy and start talking about our economy.” This perspective emphasizes the need for more localized and equitable economic practices that truly reflect the communities they serve.
Dr. Pastor also shared insights from his work with solidarityeconomics.org, and underscored the urgency of addressing the moral implications of our current economic structures. He noted that discussions about equity often focus solely on fairness and inclusion, while in reality, it’s about fostering prosperity for all. This includes “recognizing the potential talent we are squandering due to systemic issues like incarceration and immigration status.”
Jennifer pointed out the critical role that anchor institutions can play by understanding the broader ripple effects on their communities. Both Jennifer and Dr. Pastor also acknowledged the significant challenges posed by the current economic structures that perpetuate inequality. As Jennifer posed the question, “What does it look like to change the systems in communities?,” it became clear that tackling these deep-rooted issues requires thoughtful strategies at the local level.
Dr. Pastor shared valuable insights about the power of narrative and the importance of changing the prevailing mindset. He stressed that shifting common perceptions about communities is essential for driving meaningful change.
With upcoming elections on the horizon, Jennifer questioned how social movements might influence policy. Dr. Pastor emphasized that social movements are crucial, yet research suggests a cautionary note: those who delve deeper into economics may inadvertently become more selfish in their perspectives, often leading to unequal views on resource distribution.
Dr. Pastor said that: “this underscores the necessity of fostering a collective economic consciousness that prioritizes equity and community well-being.”
The conversation highlighted that as we look to the future, harnessing the power of social movements and reevaluating our narratives will be key in driving systemic change.
Ensuring Both Teachers and Students are Supported, Valued, and Thriving
In Thursday’s lunch plenary: “Bouncing Back: Addressing K-12 Challenges,” leaders from various educational organizations discussed significant issues facing the K-12 education system, including teacher retention, student engagement, and policy reform.
Elisa Villanueva Beard, CEO of Teach for America, highlighted the dual realities educators face: acknowledging the current crisis in teaching while also fostering an optimistic outlook on the profession that promotes innovation and solutions. She shared alarming statistics indicating that over 50% of teachers juggle additional jobs to make ends meet, alongside the fact that just one third of teachers are currently satisfied with their profession. Beard called for a transformation in how the teaching role is structured and emphasized the importance of addressing wellness—financial, mental, and occupational—for teachers.
Bri Slaughter, an English Language Arts teacher at Bryant Middle School in Salt Lake City, shared her personal insights on representation in education. She noted the profound need for students to feel seen and heard, which is crucial for their development and connection to their education. This sentiment aligns with the call from the group for more diverse teachers needed to better relate to their student populations.
Kriste Dragon, CEO of the Pahara Institute, underscored the strong link between positive school experiences and student attendance, advocating for social-emotional learning (SEL) to be recognized as essential rather than supplemental. Dragon emphasized that adults within the education system are intrinsically valuable and must be treated as such, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
The discussion shifted towards actionable policy changes, with Beard advocating for comprehensive reforms that consider economic mobility and the foundational importance of literacy. She warned that without a solid academic base, young individuals struggle to succeed. The idea of “change at the speed of trust” was introduced as a key element for systemic transformation.
This session served as a call to action for stakeholders within the education sector to collectively work towards improving the K-12 environment, ensuring both teachers and students are supported, valued, and given the tools needed to thrive.
Building a Local Movement: Communication Strategies for Generational Change
In this communications-focused session, employees of Seeding Success in Memphis, TN gave a series of actionable steps to make messaging more effective and engaging while building broader community support.
Step 1: Eliminating Insider Language
The first step emphasizes the importance of using relevant, accessible, and relatable language. The goal is not simply to reduce word count but to enhance understanding among diverse audiences. Simplifying messaging allows for clearer communication, ensuring that everyone can grasp the essential points being conveyed.
Step 2: Optimizing Social Media
To maximize engagement on social media, participants discussed strategies for condensing complex content and sharing impactful community stories. Seeding Success noted that live videos generate three times more interaction compared to standard posts, underscoring the power of real-time engagement. The principle of backward planning was encouraged; starting with a major measurable goal helps identify what content and actions will effectively contribute to achieving it.
Step 3: Building Audience Engagement
To grow the newsletter audience, Seeding Success will include a “letter of support” campaign, enhancing visibility and connection within the community.
Innovative Content Ideas
The session proposed a “Fact Friday” series, featuring Q&A posts that allow the organization to share insights and clarify information about its activities.
Partner Toolkits
The development of partner toolkits was highlighted as a crucial resource needed to help better equip partners to spread the message of an organization. These toolkits should include:
- Focus area-specific content
- A condensed messaging guide
- Video links showcasing collaborations
A partner toolkit should aim to empower partners to assist in spreading key messages and engaging their networks.
Building Support Campaigns
One significant initiative discussed was a letter of support campaign, specifically designed to rally community backing around the “More for Memphis” goal, which seeks to secure community contributions to align with a larger objective of improving economic mobility. Seeding Success stated that this targeted approach of involving the community in a letter of support campaign not only cultivates support but also strengthens community bonds around shared goals.
Overall, the session provided a clear roadmap for refining communication strategies, optimizing social media engagement, and building robust community support networks. This approach aims to enhance understanding, foster collaboration, and drive impactful outcomes in the community.
Effective Leadership in the Social Impact Sector
On September 27, 2024, the Breakfast Plenary session titled “Powering the Movement: Investing in Leaders” featured insightful discussions led by Cheryl L. Dorsey, President of Echoing Green, and Eshauna Smith, Director of Community Impact at Ballmer Group. The session focused on the essential elements of effective leadership in the social impact sector and the importance of investing in diverse leaders.
Dorsey emphasized the necessity of understanding not only the “what” and “why” of challenges within the ecosystem but also the “who.” She proposed five key elements for driving impactful change:
- building a shared understanding of systemic problems
- setting concrete milestones
- designing scalable approaches
- driving demand, and
- learning to embrace course corrections.
Dorsey underscored the significance of trust and various forms of capital—social, bonding, and bridging—as vital for cultivating effective networks.
In a discussion about support systems for leaders, Dorsey reflected on her own experiences, citing the importance of having a “safe space to fail” and access to a peer community for learning and growth. She highlighted innovative leadership models, such as those adopted by Amanda Alexander at the Detroit Justice Center, which prioritize team well-being through initiatives like a four-day work week and sabbaticals for employees.
The pair also tackled the issue of underrepresented leaders, particularly leaders of color, who often lack adequate support. Dorsey pointed to Echoing Green’s commitment to racial equity and their “Signal Fund,” which invests significantly in leaders of color. She stressed the importance of narrative change to challenge biases and promote diverse entrepreneurship and innovation.
During the Q&A session, Dorsey responded to audience concerns about avoiding paralysis in leadership and the necessity of self-care, stating that voices in peer communities are crucial for support. She also addressed the need for systemic change within organizations and advocated for collaborative allyship across sectors to advance these goals.
In her closing remarks, Dorsey shared her lifelong contemplation of what it means to be Black in America, inspiring attendees to focus on making every child matter.
She said to the audience: “You are the champions who are going to make it happen.”
This session served as a powerful reminder of the commitment required to uplift diverse leaders and the collective responsibility to ensure that all children are seen and valued within our education system.
Community Narratives Have Power to Drive Change
The Closing Plenary titled “Changing the Narrative: The Power of Your Community’s Story,” featuring NBC News Anchor Morgan Radford, delivered an empowering message on the importance of storytelling in shaping individual and communal identities.
Morgan Radford shared her journey of resilience, reflecting on her experiences entering spaces that were not designed for her. She emphasized the importance of holding one’s head high and creating opportunities for others who face similar challenges. Her passion for storytelling, which she vowed to pursue for life, was sparked by the struggles she encountered, including being rejected from every local news station as she began her career.
Central to her talk was the idea that stories expose us, challenging our values and perspectives. Radford contended that truth—the most compelling story—has never been more vital. She encouraged the audience to take ownership of their narratives, emphasizing that stories have the power to make a significant impact and drive change.
Radford also discussed the essential components of an engaging story, stating that every effective narrative encompasses “tension and structure.” This means navigating the delicate balance between criticality and hopefulness. She shared the VPA (valley, peak, aftermath) framework as a way to explore personal growth and solutions rather than merely outlining problems.
Addressing the significance of timely storytelling, she cautioned against unchecked narratives and the disturbing trend of misinformation. Radford urged the audience to remember that while stories are personal, they must also be anchored in facts and a connection to reality.
In summary, the session was a powerful call to action, urging individuals to recognize their agency as authors of their own tales. Through authentic storytelling, Radford inspired participants to engage with their communities, create meaningful connections, and challenge prevailing narratives, thereby fueling change and fostering understanding.
Reflections on Minnesota’s Role and Impact from Education Partnerships Coalition (EPC) Members
Margaret Ganyo, Executive Director of Children First: “Children First presented on “Youth Leading a City’s Mental Wellness Strategy Development.” We shared the journey of high school aged youth carrying out the Collaborative Improvement process to Children First’s Youth for Change Coalition (Y4CC) received the endorsement of the SLP Mental Health Collaborative for Y4CC to lead Phase 1 to develop, implement and evaluate strategies that improve mental wellness outcomes in St. Louis Park. The first phase will focus on the mental health and wellness of youth and their multi-generational support systems. Woven in will be an asset map of existing efforts.
With guidance from Wilder Research and a data coach, Y4CC members analyzed issues ranging from depression and anxiety to post-secondary completion, ultimately selecting to move to action on Suicidal Ideation.
They identified root causes together with youth from the focus population, LGBTQIA youth, and are developing targeted strategies to improve youth mental wellness outcomes.
Their Results Statement is: All middle and high school aged youth in St. Louis Park are mentally thriving and have hope for a fulfilled life.”
Amy Trombley, VP of Education at United Way of Central Minnesota: “Minnesota was represented well and powerfully at the 2024 StriveTogether C2C convening. Being able to either present at and attend some of the EPC-led sessions highlighted the power of collaboration in Minnesota’s advocacy efforts. It’s inspiring to see how diverse stakeholders unite to create meaningful change in our communities and how other state partners want to learn from our trailblazing. Together, we are not just sharing stories, data and camaraderie; we are building a shared vision for better futures for all our children.”
John Fanning, Project Director, EPC: “As a first-time StriveTogether C2C Convening attendee, I was SO impressed by the content shared and the connections made. Highlights included EPC members Amy Susman-Stillman, Amy Trombley, Jennyffer Barrientos, Joe Munnich, Megan Jekot, Sondra Samuels, Stefanie Rothstein, Tiffany Scott Knox, and previous EPC member Muneer Karcher-Ramos presenting on a variety of topics – policy and legislation, qualitative and quantitative data, parent/caregiver advocacy, and college savings accounts. Those rooms were packed with peers eager to learn from our work here in Minnesota, and there were additional EPC sessions that I was not able to attend. Other highlights for me included learning more about the Baltimore City Youth Data Hub, enjoying keynotes by Dr. Manuel Pastor and Cheryl Dorsey, and getting to meet many peers in person whom I had only previously met on Zoom. I return feeling energized and better prepared for the work ahead!”
The 2024 StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network Convening was an important event for the Generation Next coalition. By bringing together a diverse group of educators, community leaders, and advocates, the event gave space for valuable discussions on how we can collaborate across the StriveTogether network to drive meaningful change. Attendees delved into timely topics like strategic communications and the challenges in our education systems, emphasizing the critical role of storytelling in elevating voices and experiences.
This gathering was more than just an exchange of ideas—it was an opportunity to create connections and develop plans aimed at improving outcomes for children and families. I left the convening feeling inspired and committed to adopting new strategies that help to create equitable opportunities for youth. Moving forward, we are ready to take action, ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to define their own future.