Cushman & Wakefield DTLA || Homeboy Industries

Cushman & Wakefield pulled together their best and their brightest to engage with the Homies from Homeboy Industries on this radical night of kinship. CWFL (Cushman & Wakefield Future Leaders) and WIN (Women’s Integrated Network) gathered to hear first-hand from the Homies about the struggles they face trying to reenter the world and what stands in their way of leading “normal” lives. Together we crafted solutions on specific ways that CW can join hands with these incredible men and women and create new opportunities for everyone.

Following the radical kinship that was established that evening, C&W immediately committed to creating multiple opportunities in 2019 and 2020 for Homeboy Industries through awareness, volunteering / mentoring, job shadowing and fund raising.

As always, the Homeboys and Homegirls inspired each and every one of us to show up every day with gratitude, hope and love. Huge thank you to Homeboy Industries and the homies who joined us this evening. Big love always to you all.

Facilitated by: Matt Lillard and Harper McDonald, Co-Founders HIVE Be Good

Polytechnic School || Tackling Affordable Housing

The prestigious Polytechnic School in Pasadena hosted its first civic-activation event which included students, teachers, staff and faculty where we focused on breaking down a social issue facing our world and came up with specific ways that we can address this issue as a community.

We worked closely with John Bracker, Head of School at Polytechnic, and fifteen of Poly’s Senior Class, who earned a Certificate in Global Citizenship, to determine a cause that captured the hearts and frustrations of our future leaders. Affordable Housing was the clear cause that evoked passion beyond any other issue facing our city and world.

During our time, we discovered more about this critical issue and learned directly from our incredible city's leaders who are determined to provide permanent, supportive housing to our most vulnerable population.

Thank you to our city leaders who joined Polytechnic’s future leaders to conceive real world solutions to get individuals off the streets and into permanent homes.

Bill Huang – Director of Housing, City of Pasadena, Jaylene Moseley – President, Flintridge Center / Real Change Movement, Matt Glesne - City Planner, Los Angeles City Planning Department, Laura Trejo - General Manager, Los Angeles Department of Aging, Sarah Dussealt - Supervisor Solis’ Appointee and Chair of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority

It was an insightful, humbling and action-inspired evening and incredible to see students leading the way toward social impact and real change. Amazing.

Facilitated by: Harper McDonald, Co-Founder HIVE Be Good

The Women of Homeboy Industries || Homegirl Cafe

Another incredible night of radical kinship with the Homegirls of Homeboy Industries.

Homeboy Industries provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women allowing them to redirect their lives. 

We first got to tour Homeboy Industries and then hear first-hand from the Homegirls about the struggles they face trying to reenter the world and what stands in their way of leading “normal” lives.  

Broken into smaller groups including the amazing homegirls, we discussed ways to help change the trajectory of these brave women as they reenter our City as compassionate, peaceful and inspired Angelenos. We not only created programs to help address their specific needs but also raised our hands with offers to help bring these programs to life.

Facilitated by: Harper McDonald, Co-Founder HIVE Be Good 

Little Beach House Malibu || TheraSurf

In the beautiful space of Little Beach House, we partnered with TheraSurf, an organization whose goal is to provide children with special needs the opportunity to benefit from the positive energy of the ocean by safely getting them into the water and up on waves. 

Leo Harrington, President of TheraSurf, and Travis Collings, Board Member of TheraSurf, shared the heart and mission of this incredible organization. In smaller groups, we discussed ways for getting the transformational power of the ocean and its ability to instill healing, courage and confidence to more children and families who live in a daily world full of challenges and limitations. 

The most memorable part of the evening was given us by Rex Lewis-Clack. Rex is a musical savant and one of a handful of people in the world who share a mysterious combination of blindness, mental disability, and musical genius. Rex is a world-renowned pianist and has been featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes as well as flown to Japan to perform in front of thousands.

TheraSurf brought Rex into the waters of Malibu this past year giving yet another gifted individual the chance to experience the healing powers of our ocean. Rex’s mother claimed the TheraSurf experience to be life-changing for Rex… which says such a great deal considering how much Rex has overcome and accomplished already in his life.

Thank you to those amazing folks who joined us to help keep the stoke alive.

Facilitated By: Harper McDonald, Co-Founder of HIVE Be Good

Cushman & Wakefield, Los Angeles || WriteGirl

Cushman & Wakefield’s Women's Integrated Network and HIVE Be Good partnered with WriteGirl on C&W's first civic activation party. 

WriteGirl is an incredible Los Angeles-based creative writing and mentoring organization that pairs at-risk teen girls with professional women writers for one-on-one mentoring. 

WriteGirl has maintained a 100% success rate in helping its seniors not only graduate from high school, but also enroll in college. 

On this night, we worked together to think through how we might further expand the mission and impact of WriteGirl throughout Los Angeles and beyond.

Never underestimate the power of a girl and her pen!

Guest Speaker: Keren Taylor, Founder and CEO of WriteGirl
Facilitated by: Harper McDonald, Co-Founder of HIVE Be Good

Soho House West Hollywood || March On The Polls

Soho Good and HIVE Be Good partnered with March On The Polls (founders of the Women’s March) to ignite a get-out-the-vote effort and shift voting from a solo activity to one that is full of community, spirit and optimism.  

In 2014, only 36.4% of US population voted with most missing out on this incredible opportunity to shape our country’s future. Americans need to believe their vote matters.

This exclusive bi-partisan social-activation event engaged the most creative thinkers and activists in the world to help change the trajectory of voter depression and get people back in the voting booths.

Facilitated by: Matt Lillard and Harper McDonald, Co-Founders HIVE Be Good

NeueHouse Hollywood || The Homegirls: Women of Homeboy Industries

This night was just for the Homegirls: The Women of Homeboy Industries.  

Homeboy Industries provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community. 

We heard first-hand from the Homegirls about the specific struggles women face trying to reenter the world and what stands in their way of leading “normal” lives.  

We gathered, engaged, connected, brainstormed, created and offered ourselves toward helping change the trajectory of these brave women. 

It was a beautiful evening of radical kinship.

Facilitated by: Matt Lillard and Harper McDonald, Co-Founders HIVE Be Good

Special Guest and Speaker: Shirley Torres, Chief Program Officer / Director of Re-entry Services

Cracking the Food Insecurity Riddle || FEAST & EveryTable

The Young President's Organization hosted its first socially-conscious activation party at the beautifully refurbished Masonic Lodge where we brought awareness and action to tackle one of our city’s most pressing social riddles — food insecurity and the food deserts of South Los Angeles.  

Our featured speaker was Sam Polk, former hedge fund trader, author of the book For the Love of Money and founder of FEAST (previously GroceryShips) and EveryTable.

Sam spoke first hand about his experiences in solving the critical issue of Food Insecurity. After noticing families in low-income areas struggling with access to healthy food, he started Groceryships, a non-profit working at the intersection of poverty and obesity. Sam then went on to create EveryTable which aims to redefine the food landscape the same way McDonald's did fifty years ago. But this time, instead of burgers and fries, they are selling nutritious, fresh, made-from-scratch food, at fast-food prices.

Let the good begin.

Facilitated by: Matt Lillard and Harper McDonald, Co-Founders HIVE Be Good
Special Guest and Speaker: Sam Polk, CEO Everytable and Founder, Groceryships

Soho House West Hollywood || Homeboy Industries

On this night, we were privileged and honored to engage with Father Greg Boyle and the Homies from Homeboy Industries.  

Through radical kinship over two hours, this creative community determined ways to help change the trajectory of these brave men and women as they reenter our City as compassionate, peaceful and inspired Angelenos. 

Facilitated by: Matt Lillard and Harper McDonald, Co-Founders HIVE Be Good

Special Guest and Speaker: Father Greg Boyle

NeueHouse Hollywood || AKASA

NeueHouse and HIVE Be Good teamed up to launch NeueHouse’s first socially-conscious activation party. We learned and engaged with the pioneers at AKASA who are determined to unwind food insecurity and provide wellness curriculum to LA’s low-income youth.

Facilitated by: Harper McDonald, Co-Founder HIVE Be Good

Special Guest and Speaker: Ashleigh Parsons, Founder AKASA