Meet Ron Finley, the "Gangsta Gardener" who turned the concrete jungles of South Central Los Angeles into a thriving oasis of fresh fruits and vegetables. Frustrated by the lack of healthy food options in his community, Ron started planting gardens in abandoned lots and along curbsides, transforming unused spaces into sources of nourishment and inspiration. His mission goes beyond gardening—it's about empowerment, community, and changing lives. Discover how Ron's grassroots movement is challenging food deserts and inspiring urban communities to take back control of their food, health, and neighborhoods, one garden at a time. 

Caine's Arcade is a short film that tells the inspiring story of a young boy named Caine Monroy, who builds an elaborate cardboard arcade inside his father’s auto parts store in East Los Angeles. Using creativity and resourcefulness, Caine designs various arcade games out of everyday materials like boxes, tape, and string. Despite the lack of customers, Caine remains hopeful and passionate about his arcade.

One day, a filmmaker named Nirvan Mullick stumbles upon Caine's creation. Moved by the boy’s imagination and dedication, Mullick decides to organize a "flash mob" to bring customers to Caine’s arcade. The event is a heartwarming success, drawing a large crowd and media attention. The video highlights themes of creativity, perseverance, and the power of community support, ultimately showing how one small act of kindness can spark a global movement,

We're all embedded in vast social networks of friends, family, co-workers and more. Nicholas Christakis tracks how a wide variety of traits -- from happiness to obesity -- can spread from person to person, showing how your location in the network might impact your life in ways you don't even know. 

Thunder Valley CDC is a community development organization that is working with the local grassroots people and national organizations in the development of a sustainable regenerative community that creates jobs, builds homes and creates a National model for alleviating poverty in America’s poorest communities. Nick is a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation and the founding Executive Director of the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation. Nick has over 15 years of experience in working with nonprofits and Tribal Nations on projects that have a social mission.

Working together creates empowerment.