About The Change Lab

We're building more than a platform — we're nurturing a movement grounded in connection, participation, and impact.

The Change Lab Community

On This Page

Why Now Purpose Our Framework What We're Building Mission & Vision Staff Board Advisory Board Fiscal Sponsor
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Why Now?

We're living in divided times—but also a moment of opportunity.

Recent national data from More in Common shows that 70% of Americans want to connect across lines of difference. The challenge isn't willingness—it's access. Most people would rather build community in person than argue online.

The Change Lab exists to make that possible.

Because when we connect, we create change.

What Folks Are Saying

"This is a great tool you're building. We're in really dark times right now, and I think this is a great answer that needs to be applied on a massive scale. I'm reading a lot about the importance of community… Please keep going with this project."

— Kegan, University Student

"We're excited to fiscally sponsor The Change Lab as they bring StepUP to life! The vision for the platform is to invite people into a process that can often feel daunting for many. The platform is designed to make civic engagement more accessible and approachable, showing people that even the smallest actions can make a meaningful difference in our communities."

— Michelle Avalos

"Wow! This is an amazing site and I am only seeing a small part of this platform… It is like the ultimate hub.. Bridge-gap, when one entity needs help or has questions, others who are more experienced can assist in answering questions."

— Patricia, LinkedIn User
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Purpose

At The Change Lab, we're building more than a platform — we're nurturing a movement grounded in connection, participation, and impact. Our purpose is to provide:

Accessible Civic Pathways

Clear, approachable entry points for anyone to get involved — no matter where you're starting from.

Real-World Engagement Options

Hands-on opportunities that turn ideas into action and bring people together in meaningful ways.

A Framework for Growth

A step-by-step guide to help you explore, express, and expand your role in civic life.

Content that Sparks Change

Resources that bridge information → connection → action → systems change, empowering you to make a difference.

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Our Framework

We organize resources through multiple lenses so you can find exactly what you need:

Engagement Levels

Get Started → Learn the basics and explore what matters to you
Get Informed → Deepen your understanding through resources and stories
Get Activated → Take action, lead, and organize in your community

Areas of Interest

Seven interconnected areas where you can make a difference:

  • Governance, Rights & Democracy

    20 Focus Areas:

    1. Civic Literacy & Education
    2. Voting Access & Election Integrity
    3. Redistricting & Representation
    4. Government Accountability & Transparency
    5. Judicial Reform & Court Access
    6. Criminal Justice Reform
    7. Policing & Public Safety
    8. Bail Reform & Pretrial Justice
    9. Prison Reform & Incarceration Alternatives
    10. Reentry & Reintegration Support
  • Basic Needs & Economic Security — Housing, food security, living wages, financial equity
  • Health, Wellness & Care — Healthcare access, mental health, trauma-informed care, disability justice
  • Education & Opportunity — Early childhood through adult education, workforce training, digital equity
  • Environment & Infrastructure — Climate justice, clean energy, green spaces, disaster preparedness
  • Community, Culture & Belonging — Bridging differences, arts & culture, civic dialogue, LGBTQIA+ rights
  • Systems Change & Structural Power — Root causes, policy advocacy, reparations, institutional transformation

105 Focus Areas

Within these domains, we track 105 specific focus areas — from voting access to environmental justice to narrative strategy.

Resource Types & Filters

Every resource is tagged by format, audience, cost, and accessibility features.

This multi-layered system means you can filter by what matters most to you.

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What We're Building

We're developing a digital platform that lights up the pathways to belonging, collaboration, and action.

Here's what's included:

  • Common Ground Meetups — In-person gatherings to build trust across difference
  • Civic Action Library — Tools and stories to help you learn, reflect, and take action
  • Partnership Network — Aligned organizations working together to scale impact
  • Interactive Platform (Coming Soon) — A personalized map to show how and where you can plug in
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Mission & Vision

Mission: To spark belonging and civic connection through accessible tools, shared learning, and stories of community-led change.

Vision: A resilient community powered by people who show up for each other.

The Change Lab is the next step—transforming that experience into a civic engine for connection and collective action.

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Staff

David A. Brown
Founder & Executive Director
Nonprofit leader, civic strategist, and storyteller with 20+ years of experience building creative, community-driven initiatives. He founded Spacetaker, led the merger with Fresh Arts, and launched Arts District Houston. As Collaborative and Engagement Strategist at the Houston Food Bank, he piloted programs connecting neighbors, donors, and volunteers across difference. He is a Leadership Houston alumnus and ALF Senior Fellow (Class XXXIII).
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Board of Directors

David A. Brown Where Creativity, Grit & Systems Thinking Collide
Michael Crowder Artist, Civic Catalyst, Senior Preparator, Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Christa M. Forster Writer, Educator, Performer, English Teacher
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Advisory Board

Click each advisor to learn more about their expertise and value to The Change Lab:

Megan M. Finnerty +
LinkedIn →
Founder of the Storytellers Project (USA TODAY Network) and national storytelling coach and curator. Megan has helped 6,000+ people share true stories across 20+ cities.
Value: Narrative design for civic connection; programming that grows empathy, belonging, and participation.
Focus: Community storytelling, live journalism, narrative coaching.
Tracie Jae +
LinkedIn →
Founder of The Quiet Rebel, designing and facilitating HUMAN-centered conversations and large-scale dialogue experiences.
Value: Inclusive facilitation and bridge-building frameworks.
Focus: Inclusive dialogue design, civic empathy, culturally responsive communication.
Elena Korbut +
LinkedIn →
Most recently served as Executive Director of PAIR, leading refugee-centered mentoring and equity initiatives in Houston.
Value: Deep experience in immigrant equity, youth leadership, and resilient program design.
Focus: Refugee-centered education, immigrant advocacy, resilience-driven programming.
Aaron Landsman +
LinkedIn →
Playwright, performer, and educator; Lecturer in Theater at Princeton University. Guggenheim Fellow and Creative Capital awardee.
Value: Story-driven engagement methods that invite public participation.
Focus: Creativity-driven civic engagement, narrative-based public participation.
Barry Mandel +
LinkedIn →
Founder/CEO of Mandel Group, a leading real-estate developer known for urban infill and mixed-use projects.
Value: Strategic leadership, capital partnerships, and place-based development insights.
Focus: Community-building through design, organizational leadership, inclusive partnerships.
Lilyanne McClean +
LinkedIn →
Senior Vice President of Global Public Policy & Government Affairs at FuelCell Energy. 30+ years in policy and government affairs.
Value: Policy strategy and cross-sector advocacy to align civic goals with institutional partners.
Focus: Strategic policy leadership, cross-sector advocacy, organizational governance.
María del Carmen Montoya +
LinkedIn →
Artist and Assistant Professor (Corcoran School, GWU); core member of Ghana ThinkTank. Her participatory practice flips conventional power dynamics.
Value: Participatory methods that center community voice and co-creation.
Focus: Participatory art, collective civic creativity, narrative power shifts.
Evan Yoshimoto +
LinkedIn →
Head of Community with UC Berkeley's Othering & Belonging Institute, developing member ecosystems across North America and Europe.
Value: Ecosystem design for belonging, bridging practices, and equitable tech/policy interfaces.
Focus: Inclusive community ecosystems, climate justice, tech-equity policymaking.
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Fiscal Sponsorship

The Change Lab has filed for 501(c)(3) status and is awaiting designation. During the interim, we are fiscally sponsored by Impact Hub Houston, a collaborative workspace and innovation lab that supports social entrepreneurs and changemakers.