Community Social Activism: A Guide to Creating Change

BEFORE WE BEGIN

(PS. this webpage is best viewed on a computer :)

This guide is for anyone who wants to make the world a better place — no matter your profession, background, or perceived skillset. Whether you're a musician, therapist, writer, bartender, or something in between, you have something valuable to offer.

It's easy to believe your everyday talents don’t contribute to global change. But I believe real impact starts with people living in alignment with their deepest passions. When you're rooted in who you are and what matters most to you, your actions naturally connect to something bigger. That kind of alignment has a ripple effect.

Living authentically builds trust, inspires others to do the same, and helps you stay grounded even when the world feels chaotic. It also protects you from burnout — because you're not performing a role, you're embodying your truth.

Changing the world doesn’t mean following one set path. It takes a mosaic of people showing up in their full colors. Whether you’re creating, organizing, healing, teaching, or simply moving through the world with integrity and care — the most powerful movements often begin when someone dares to be fully themselves.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge something important: it’s a rare privilege to feel connected to a passion or purpose. Life can be so damn busy and hard that it leaves little time or energy to even ask what lights you up. Maybe you’re still discovering your unique gifts, or maybe you sense a calling you haven’t yet named.

Either way, this guide is here to help. Inside, you’ll find:

  • Pathways to explore that can help uncover the passions that already live within you

  • Tools and resources to help you amplify your voice and take meaningful action

  • A space to connect with a Denver/Boulder-based network of young adults who care deeply about making our community better — so you don’t have to do it alone

PASSION !

PASSION !

Let’s be real: when it comes to connecting with your source — that thing that lights you up and makes you feel alive — there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. What worked for me might not work for you, and that’s okay. But what I can offer is the story of what helped me get to the place where I knew, without a doubt, what I wanted to do — and that I was going to die before giving up pursuing that dream.

For me, the real breakthrough came when I finally let go of the fear of failure. I know that might sound cheesy — but it’s not. It’s one of the realest truths I’ve found so far in life. These days, failure is one of my best friends, and here’s why:

  • Failure filters out what’s not for you.
    Sometimes, we think we want something — until we try, fail, and realize it wasn’t aligned after all. Failure can clarify what’s worth your time and what’s just noise.

  • Failure is the greatest teacher.
    Yeah, it stings — but it shows you exactly where you need to focus. Facing failure with honesty and humility can reveal your next step with more clarity than any success ever could.

  • Failure makes you emotionally stronger.
    You're less afraid of future setbacks each time you survive something that didn’t go your way. You’re building grit. And as a bonus, you might also learn to detach from perfectionism.

  • Failure Sparks Creativity and forces you to problem-solve.
    When the obvious path doesn’t work, you start thinking differently. A lot of innovation comes straight from “well, that didn’t work... so now what?”

  • Failure proves perseverance.
    Anyone can show up when they’re winning — that’s easy. But showing up after your worst defeats? That takes guts. That commands respect. That builds character.

  • Failure is a prerequisite for success.
    No one just nails it on their first try. Every person you admire has a trail of setbacks behind them. Failure isn’t the opposite of progress — it is progress.

  • Failing and then succeeding is way more powerful than getting it right on the first try.
    One of those paths shows growth, grit, and the ability to turn setbacks into fuel — and that is badass. That’s the kind of energy the universe pays attention to. It’s magnetic.

Honorable mentions: Other hallmarks for someone well-positioned to discover their passions:

1. Curiosity Over Certainty

Don’t stress about finding the one thing you’re supposed to do. That kind of pressure can kill the spark before it even starts. Just follow what you’re curious about. Even if it makes no sense. Even if it’s small. Passion starts as a whisper — and curiosity is how you learn to hear it.

2. Drop the Need to Impress

If you're constantly trying to look good, be productive, or win approval, you’ll miss what actually lights you up. Let that shit go. Your passion doesn’t have to be flashy. It just has to be real.

3. Make Space to Listen

It’s hard to hear your own truth when the world is loud and you're constantly in motion. Slow down. Take a walk. Journal. Breathe. Let silence speak. I know its hard, my ADHD ass struggled a lot with this, but damn has it been worth it.

4. Watch Your Energy

Start noticing what gives you energy versus what drains it. Your body knows. The stuff that makes you feel more you — that's where the gold is. Don’t overthink it. Just pay attention to how you feel and lean into the guuuud shit.

5. It Doesn’t Have to Be Just One Thing

Your passion might be messy. It might be a mix of art, community, nature, numbers, rebellion, and spirituality. That’s okay. It doesn’t need to fit in a box — it just needs to feel like you.

6. Expand Your Circle, Expand Your Vision

If you’ve only seen a narrow path in front of you, it’s gonna be hard to dream big. Surround yourself with people, art, books, and ideas that stretch your thinking. You can’t reach for something you don’t even know exists.

7. Let Yourself Evolve

You’re allowed to change. In fact, you will change. Who you are now might not be who you are in five years — and that’s not failure, that’s growth. Don’t cling to an old identity just because it’s familiar. Let yourself become.

8. Talk It Out With The (Realest) Homies

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Sometimes, the people who really see you can reflect things you can’t see for yourself. Talk to someone you trust. Share your questions. Let yourself be witnessed.

6. Passion ≠ Career (And That’s Okay)
Write down what you love and what you’re good at. Then notice where they overlap — and where they don’t. Not everything you love has to be monetized. Some things are sacred just because they are.

Journaling + Thought Prompts to Find Your Fire

Maybe these speak to you, maybe not. I will include them regardless :D

1. The “Hell Yes” List
Make a list of moments in your life when you felt truly alive. Big or small. Could be performing on stage, planting a garden, helping a friend through something hard, learning about climate justice, or making something with your hands. Don’t overthink it — just jot down whatever felt like a hell yes in your body.

2. The Rant Test
What topics get you fired up when you talk about them — the things you could go off about for hours without notes? That energy is telling you something. Write down 2–3 things you get righteously loud about, and ask yourself why they matter so much to you.

3. Childhood Clues
What did you love doing when you were a kid, before anyone told you what was cool, useful, or marketable? Sometimes passion gets buried under grown-up expectations. Go digging.

4. The "I Would Do It Anyway" Prompt
What would you still do even if no one clapped for it? Even if it didn’t pay, didn’t impress anyone, didn’t get you ahead? That’s the good stuff. That’s love.

5. Imagine a Perfect Day
Not a vacation — a regular day in a life that feels like yours. What are you doing? Who are you around? Where do you go? What do you make time for? Let it be simple and real. Your ideal life holds clues to your ideal path.

YOUR SKILLS. YOUR VOICE. REAL IMPACT.

YOUR SKILLS. YOUR VOICE. REAL IMPACT.

You don’t have to start over to make a difference. You don’t have to go back to school or become a policy expert. The truth is, what you already do — whether it’s music, photography, therapy, hosting parties, teaching, organizing spreadsheets, or just hyping people up — it all matters. The key is pointing your skills in the direction of change.

This section is about giving you the tools to do just that. To turn your craft, your art, your profession, your passion — into power.

I really want to emphasize here that when it comes to trying to identify ways to make a difference in your community, you don’t need to learn some new skill, and creating change doesn't necessarily require a specific pathway. A way I always like to look at it is this: the new world we are trying to build looks very different from the one we live in now. For us to get there, just about every single industry, sector, and facet of our lives needs to change. So, instead of trying to figure out what skill you can learn to create change, think about HOW your PREEXISTING skills (specifically the ones you really love to do) can be used to create change.

Part 1: How to Amplify Your Voice

SO, what does this look like you may ask?:

Start where you already shine. Are you a chef? Cook for the block. Are you a musician? Use your stage to amplify local causes. Do you have a van? Offer rides to protests or community events. Are you a therapist, a teacher, a poet, a coder, a dancer, a space-maker, a vibe curator? Good. Use it. We need all of those roles — and a thousand more. Whatever it is you do, there’s a place for it in the movement.
Your gift is your tool. Your passion is your power.
Now aim it.

here are a few other random ideas on what you could do with what you got already

🧰 Mutual Aid Starter Kit

Not an artist? Cool. But do you check in on people? Drop off care packages to your sick friends? Help with rides, groceries, or emotional support? Then you're already doing the work. You don’t need a nonprofit status, a grant, or a fancy plan — all you gotta do is start giving. No gatekeeping. Just care.

Random acts of kindness are revolutionary.
And what goes around, comes around.
This is what community looks like.

🤝 Building Community

Building community doesn’t always start with a protest or a petition. Sometimes it starts with an art night. A gear swap. A potluck. A backyard freestyle. These small, chill moments? They’re the foundation of real culture — and culture is what movements grow from.

When you bring people together to create, trade, heal, vent, or just vibe — you’re doing more than throwing a hangout. You’re creating a space where trust is built, ideas are shared, and support flows naturally. You’re practicing unity. You’re creating circularity. You’re modeling a world that’s less extractive, more generous, and way more fun.

Part 2: Real People, Real Impact (Spotlight Section 😎 )

You don’t need to be famous, rich, or have it all figured out to make a difference. These are real folks — artists, organizers, creatives, and everyday badasses — using what they’ve got to build something bigger than themselves. Each community member will have links to their socials and websites so please feel free to connect with them, reach out, collaborate, or just get inspired by the content they stay putting out.

Whether it’s DJs crowdsourcing donations for nonprofits during their sets, artists weaving nature into their work, tattooers donating a portion of their earnings, or clothing designers embedding messages of environmental stewardship and Indigenous sovereignty into their pieces — these are the folks showing up with intention. Even social media creators using their platforms to push climate-forward content are redefining what leadership looks like.
No title, no permission — just real ones leading by example.

Black Wolf Sound

Black Wolf has used his music platform to host community panels discussing important issues at his events. He has also raised donations by offering merch and other gifts to raise money for local non-profits.

“As an artist I find it extremely important to use our platforms to help push the change we want to see in the world. As the world seems to becoming a tougher place for more and more people, I found an extreme drive to do my part to try and help those that really are feeling the wrath of our system, while sharing my music and amazing artists, alongside promoting conversation. Giving back not only feels so rewarding for me but also creates a trickle effect of hope, inspiration, and motivation to those around us. It’s amazing to show people that we don’t need to feel so overwhelmed by everything. Finding balance in supplying an art event alongside promoting conversation and action is truly how I feel I contribute to a better world. I believe that if everyone can find their role in community, we will see the world change into a place where everyone is comfortable and safe. At these events my goal is to motivate, connect, and get people excited to get involved in their community.”

Julia Wild Art

Julia Wild is a full-time artist based in Colorado, creating paintings and murals that emerge from her deep fascination with nature, patterns, color, and energy - elements that make up the fabric of life. Through her creative process, she explores different ways to fuse these forces into an emotional and visual experience as a reminder of what it means to be alive. 

Each piece begins with feeling a need to release energy. Sometimes the feeling is clear and focused, other times it is chaotic and raw. It captures a moment in time, allowing her to therapeutically process the emotions being felt. She works mainly with acrylics to build up many layers quickly. Her work reflects the organic essence of nature through her soft and expressive markings, balanced with the sharp precision of geometry that portrays how structure is needed in life. 

Julia continues to take on bigger challenges and opportunities that allow her to travel the world to share her art, paint murals, and collaborate with her favorite inspirations. Her hope is to remind others to see the beauty of life, nature, and their own infinite potential.

Kyle Shri Tattoo

Kyle donates a portion of his income from tattooing each month to non-profits

Kyle Shrivastava is a geometric and ornamental tattoo artist based in Fort Collins, Colorado, whose work is rooted in the belief that true change in the world begins with transformation within ourselves. Through the intimate and intentional practice of tattooing, Kyle helps others embody their personal evolution—turning growth, healing, and self-discovery into artwork.

Prior to tattooing, Kyle spent a decade working on progressive social issues through the Peace Corps and other international development nonprofits. These experiences led him to a powerful realization: that sustainable change starts from the inside out. Since beginning his tattooing journey his mission has been to merge his passion for change with his creative practice—supporting clients in making their external appearance match their internal development. His work is not just about aesthetics, but about helping people honor who they are becoming and what they stand for.

Kyle believes that “…changing the world, first, requires us each as individuals to change. The more fully we’re able to develop into our highest selves, the more intentional we are in our actions and effective we are as change agents.”

Alex Jacobs’s Social Media Approach

How Do You Use TikTok for (Creative) Climate Communications:

“Social media – TikTok in this instance – is very much a two-way medium. By that I mean that my audience teaches me just as much as I can teach them. I find the educational content that we as an organization want to share, and my audience teaches me how they learn best through engagement. If a video gets little engagement, I know that my communication style and presentation was not effective.”

Why Do You Do It?:

“All of my informational videos are research-based, and as much as possible I rely on government and scholarly, peer-reviewed sources. I take pride in the information I use and vet them thoroughly to minimize bias and maximize transparency.

Social media can be (and is) both powerfully negative and powerfully positive. I find meaning in being a genuine voice for my organization to speak in positive ways to people around the globe! It helps me feel like we are combating the overwhelming misinformation and toxic messaging being produced in droves.”

Find our TikTok’s @woodcoconsulting, or check out our website at https://woodcoconsulting.com

Sarah Fitz AKA Medicinemender

Sarah makes sustainably up-cycled clothing

I create upcycled clothing made from entirely second hand materials. I see clothing as a canvas for expression, a way to wear one’s heart on their sleeve.

The clothing I create is an expression of my authenticity. It expresses my ever deepening connection to the Earth, my desire for all oppressed peoples and more-than-human life to be free, it expresses the divine I feel within myself and others, and it expresses solutions and paths forward towards a reality in more alignment to the needs of the earth and humanity. My education in environmental design, climate justice and indigenous studies as well as my informal education and experiences in climate justice organizing greatly influence my work. Creating keeps my hope alive and it excites me to think of all the conversations that have been started by people seeing the clothing I’ve made.

Instagram: @medicinemender

YOKO Music

Yoko, one of the biggest inspirations behind this entire project, deserves a special shoutout for leading by example. She was one of the first artists I saw really lean into the idea that music can be more than just entertainment — it can be a vehicle for change.

Yoko brought on a music sustainability consultant (👋 that’s me) to help infuse her sets with messages of systems change, climate justice, and collective power. She’s invited me on stage to perform verses about building a better world — and she’s never backed down from using her platform to speak up, even when it meant risking pushback.

In a time when speaking truth is still seen as “too political,” Yoko proves that courage, creativity, and community care can exist in the same setlist. And that’s what makes her a real one.

A SPACE TO CONNECT

A SPACE TO CONNECT

🌐 Let’s Build Together

This guide isn’t the end — it’s just the beginning.

If you’ve made it this far, chances are you care. You’ve got something stirring in you — a spark, a skill, a question, a calling. And you don’t need to figure it all out alone.

I started a little something called the Music Sustainability Think Tank — a space where like-minded folks can share ideas, ask for feedback, plug events, and build something real together. It’s chill, open-minded, and full of people who believe in using music and community as tools for change.

Wanna join us?
Reach out and say what’s up — I’ll get you added to the chat and we’ll take it from there.

Hit the link below to connect or text me at (914)610-6429 with your name, where you live, and any other fun fact you think I might dig :)