Chuck Olsen - theUpTake.org

Chuck is one of our most influential agents of change in the new media landscape. Creator of Minnesota Stories, director of the film Blogumentary, and correspondant for the popular Rocketboom videocast, he continually pushes the Twin Cities towards new forms of sharing the information and stories that are important to us. The UpTake, his most ambitious project yet, plans to nurture the growing corps of video focused citizen journalists forming across the country. When The UpTake asks "Will journalism be done by you or done to you?" it becomes increasingly clear that they plan to provide a pro-active alternative to the out-dated and out-moded big media dinosaurs.

Lance Neckar - Metropolitan Design Center

Is it design or is it politics? The Interstate-35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis captured the world’s attention and highlighted the nation’s neglected and failing transit infrastructure. As we assess the damage and plan for a new bridge, can we learn from this catastrophe and design a sustainable American infrastructure that enhances what already exists? If so, what are the political roadblocks that might stand in our way? One person who can begin to shed some light on the subject is Lance Neckar, a professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Minnesota, a Faculty Scholar at the Center for Transportation Studies, and the Interim Director at the Metropolitan Design Center.

Deanna & Roger Cummings - Juxtaposition Arts

Formed in 1995 and located off West Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis, Juxtaposition Arts is a non profit whose mission is “to empower youth and community to use the arts to actualize their full potential.” As Executive and Artistic directors, Deanna and Roger Cummings have taken an interdisciplinary approach to creativity that channels design, art, textiles, and performance through hip-hop culture - broadening the spectrum of potential for urban youth and the community beyond. Juxtaposition's many projects, workshops, and events all work towards creating a positive street culture that isn't afraid to assert itself politically or socially, enhancing the vibrancy of our community and enriching all of our lives.

Doug McGill - The McGill Report

In December of 2003 Doug McGill broke the story of genocide in Ethiopia, which he learned about from immigrant neighbors in his hometown of Rochester, Minnesota. This is just one example of glocalization, the tangible ways in which we can - if willing - span the bridge between local and global. Doug, a former reporter for The New York Times, is a glocal journalist, tackling the local effects of globalization and the global effects of local action in his freelance writing and new book, “Here: A Global Citizen’s Journey”. With a mix of “Heavyweight journalism, grownup political conscience, and wry Zen consciousness” Doug shares with us all what it means to be a true global citizen.

Wynne Yelland & Paul Neseth - Locus Architecture

The word locus is defined as "the center or focus of great activity or intense concentration, a locality, a place." Taking inspiration from this, Locus Architecture, located in NE Minneapolis, weaves artistic expression with sustainable design to create bold places and spaces that are always unique to the individual client. In projects ranging from sustainable urban workplaces like The Red Square to civic centers like the Hastings River Flats Interpretive Center, they infuse the smallest architectural details with creativity and craftsmanship. While a standardization of the building process currently informs and dominates the modern aesthetic, Locus maintains that architecture should be a truly personal experience.

Jessica Giordani & Jennifer Pritchett - Smitten Kitten

Valuing "human dignity and the creative expression of gender, identity and desire," the Smitten Kitten is more than a sex toy boutique; it is an open source for information on issues of sexuality, sexual health, and feminism. Through workshops, lectures, and their storefront on Lyndale Avenue, owners Jennifer Pritchett and Jessica Giordani have created a welcoming environment where no topic is taboo and there are no stupid questions. Having also founded the Coalition Against Toxic Toys, Jennifer and Jessica are leading the way to a healthier and more socially responsible sex toy industry, proving that sexuality can be sustainable too.

Jimmy Longoria – "Urban Camouflage"

Jimmy has been an urban muralist for over 3 decades. His art tackles issues of hybrid cultures, racism, and the future of American society and its place in the rapidly changing world. No stranger to engaging the public through his art, Jimmy has realized a new project on Lake Street in South Minneapolis that makes use of something he calls urban camouflage. This is art that elegantly beautifies the public realm while reclaiming contentious gang territories by utilizing rival gang colors and a technique that mirrors modern street graffiti. Jimmy’s murals absorb and displace violent street culture and transform it into community declarations of peace.

Arlene Birt - Background Stories

As the history of a food product becomes as important as how it tastes, how do we tell this story? Arlene Birt’s fascination in the complex and often hidden backstories of everyday products turned into a thesis project called Background Stories. This visual language daylights a product's life history in easy to understand, brand aligned, graphics - from raw material to store shelf. Going beyond trendy eco-labels that only tell part of the story, Arlene opts for full disclosure. By making this kind of transparency marketable, she is pushing for a whole new type of producer/ consumer relationship.

A Walker Arts Center/ Solutions Twin Cities Collaboration - "Move Your World"

On Saturday, October 6th the Walker Art Center and Solutions Twin Cities curated a very special Free First Saturday around the idea that you're never to young to begin making change. A Solutions style family forum focused on ways that young people can actively shape their future while guest artists Judy Gallas and Mary Legris led an art project in which the creation of a new world was documented and compressed into a short video to be unveiled at Solutions Volume 2. Collaborative events like this highlight new ways of communicating to youth about important issues affecting them today and into the future.

Ramy Selim - Sunny Day Earth Solutions

Combining cutting edge technology with old-fashioned elbow grease, Ramy Selim is at the forefront of a growing "Do It Yourself" movement towards more sustainable living. Thankfully for those of us who aren't quite so hands on, Ramy has decided to put his life long passion into a business plan and open a storefront on Como Avenue called Sunny Day Earth Solutions. Whether it's converting your car to run on used vegetable oil or installing photovoltaic panels or solar water heaters on your roof, the Twin Cities will finally have a place to get the inside dirt on how to "DIY" green up your life.

zAmya Theater Project

"Stop staring. Start seeing." Their tag line says it all. zAmya Theater Project is a performance arts organization open to both homeless and housed actors in the Twin Cities. Their performances stem organically from workshops and improvisation, with scripts that often mirror the trials, tribulations, joys, and experiences of those involved. This type of experiemental meta-theater not only enlightens and entertains the audience, it provides a much needed creative outlet for those without and helps to form relationships and foster understanding between people both housed and homeless.

James Wheeler - Gulf Coast Community Design Studio

In the absence of a competent government response to Hurricane Katrina, reconstruction has hinged on the amazing energy and dedication of hundreds of individuals and organizations. James Wheeler split much of the last two years traveling between Minnesota and the Gulf Coast, finishing a graduate degree in architecture and aiding recovery efforts, respectively. He recently made a more permanent move to Biloxi to take a position at The Gulf Coast Community Design Studio who provides design assistance to low-income individuals and families that need help rebuilding. They strive to rebuild diverse communities while preserving the dignity of those faced with unimaginable hardships.

Vonda Vaden - Northland Bioneers Conference

"It's All Alive, It's All Intelligent, It's All Connected." The Bioneers Conference is a unique, affordable community event that brings together every day people from all walks of life committed to managing environmental and social dilemmas through a reciprocal partnership with nature. A satellite of the national group, Northland Bioneers Conference joins 18 other US cities this fall in spreading that discussion nationally. That conference, held in St. Paul from November 2nd to 4th, is expected to draw over 500 people from our 5 state region. Inspired by nature’s code, many will use what they've learned to influence systemic changes that increase the vitality of their communities, homes and workplaces.