The Change Lab
2025-2026 Catalyst Fellow, Othering & Belonging Institute, UC Berkeley
hello@thechangelab.net | 713-416-2633
Founder's Journey: From $3 to Civic Infrastructure
From Wreckage to Welcome
At 15: Homeless, working demolition, surviving on $3 and thirty plastic hangers that felt like luxury.
The McCully family opened their door. Professors Susan Holt and Marianne McWhorter saw potential. A trip to rebuild a Nicaragua orphanage showed me "kids who lived in deep poverty but carried joy like it was their birthright."
That trip cracked my world open.
Pattern of Building From Nothing
- Spacetaker: Sold my truck for nonprofit paperwork → $1M in artist sales + financial literacy training (Amegy Bank) + marketing training (local agencies)
- Houston Arts District: Connected historically divided First & Sixth Wards → built advisory board → 10-year strategic plan → Cultural District designation from State of Texas + Mayor Annise Parker's proclamation
- Houston Food Bank: Hired to develop research-supported bridge-building strategies across race, class, politics, religion → piloted 3 programs with More in Common research support
Every project started with lived experience of the problem.
Spiritual Foundation for Civic Work
This work is grounded in practice, not just strategy: Jon Kabat-Zinn mindfulness training, NYU's Inner MBA, yoga philosophy. "Stability is a fragile grace" - not control or certainty, but the ongoing practice of staying present when everything shifts.
Democracy requires the same grace - showing up, staying present, building together even when outcomes are uncertain.
Activating America's "Quiet Middle" Through Local Action
Product in 60 seconds
1) Discover
Local pathways curated by issue (housing, health, education), engagement level (Get Started → Activated), and time available this week.
2) Practice
Short, guided actions that build confidence—circles, meetups, storytelling, and volunteer shifts that fit real life.
3) Show Impact
Personal progress + neighborhood impact snapshots partners can use to coordinate and fund what works.
Example: Housing (4-step path)
See how we match people to local opportunities:
Community Reality
Closes the gap between interest and action with practical, local steps. We're not building from scratch—we're organizing what already exists. After experiencing homelessness, addiction, and community rescue firsthand, I learned that resources exist everywhere. The problem is connection.
Built for inclusivity: Plain language, language access, and mobile-first journeys that respect everyone's time and intelligence.
The Connection Opportunity
What people want most: to work together to improve their community. Not performative engagement or one-off volunteering, but the joy and purpose I witnessed in those Nicaraguan kids—proof that meaning exists even in hard places.
Proves impact with lightweight data and partner feedback loops that turn participation into visible outcomes partners value.
Designed for Real Life
Clear, straightforward language that respects everyone's time and intelligence. Available in Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages because strong communities include everyone. We focus on practical solutions and local action, not divisive topics.
This isn't about "dumbing down" - it's about opening doors. The same doors that professors and the McCully family opened for me.
Market Gap Analysis
Global civic engagement market¹
But missing what people actually need
$7.3B Market¹, Missing What People Need
Built for Everyone
Easy to understand words, available in Spanish and Vietnamese too. We focus on helping neighbors and building stronger communities. No complicated terms or controversial topics.
Thousands of Resources, One Simple Path
From Helping Neighbors to Understanding How Things Work
Real Programs Already Helping People
- Climate Action Groups: Clean air and water projects
- Voting Help Organizations: Make sure everyone can vote
- Home Building Programs: Affordable housing for families
- Food Programs: Getting healthy food to families
- Community Support Networks: Mental health resources
- Youth Programs: Getting young people involved
- Job Training Centers: Skills for better opportunities
We Show You How Change Actually Happens
Each step connects helping your community to understanding how decisions get made:
- Who makes decisions: Which person or office has the power to fix things
- How things get changed: The actual steps to make improvements happen
- When your voice matters: The best times to speak up and be heard
- How to track results: Ways to see if your efforts are working
Learning Made Simple
Easy Classes: Short lessons you can do anytime
Group Learning: Meet with others in your area
Taking Action
Helping Out: Volunteer work that makes a difference
Working Together: Team up on community projects
Having Your Say
Speaking Up: How to talk to city council and officials
Signing On: Support causes that matter to you
Example: Making Housing More Affordable
Start by helping: Build homes with neighbors → Learn who decides: City council sets housing rules → Get involved: Attend housing meetings → See results: Track new housing funds in city budget. Earn points and recognition while learning how housing decisions really get made.
Built for Diverse Communities
We're creating this platform to serve people from all backgrounds and languages. Starting with English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, with plans to expand based on community needs. Clear communication helps everyone participate meaningfully in their community's future.
User Journey: From Curiosity to Leadership
Maya's Story: Learning to Make a Difference in Her Community
Month 1: Getting Started
• Takes a short quiz about community interests
• Watches a video about making buildings easier to use (15 points)
• Learns: Who makes sure buildings follow accessibility rules
• Earns "Community Helper" badge
Month 2: Meeting Others
• Joins a group of people working on accessibility (25 points)
• Shares her own experience (30 points)
• Meets: Local disability support group + City accessibility coordinator
• Learns who makes decisions about accessibility
Month 3: Taking Action
• Checks 3 local businesses for accessibility problems (50 points)
• Learns how to report problems to the right office
• Invites 2 friends to join the program
• Follows up to see what changes
Month 12: Becoming a Leader
• Teaches others about accessible design (150 points)
• Speaks at a city council meeting about accessibility funding
• Helps 5 new people get started
• Helps the city allocate $50,000 for accessibility improvements
Why The Change Lab Works Better
vs. Social Media/News Scrolling
- Short, focused activities (15-30 minutes) vs. endless scrolling
- Feel good from helping people vs. getting upset about news
- Work together on real projects vs. arguing online
vs. TV/Streaming/Gaming
- Friends keep you motivated vs. watching alone
- Learn useful skills (organizing, speaking up) vs. just entertainment
- Real recognition in your community vs. virtual achievements
How We Keep People Engaged
- Daily progress tracking for consistent community involvement
- Visual progress maps showing how far you've come
- Community recognition and story sharing features
- See real changes happening in your neighborhood
Clear Communication for All
Straightforward language that gets to the point. We focus on "strengthening neighborhoods," "creating positive change," and "having meaningful input on local issues." Available in Spanish, Vietnamese, and expanding to serve diverse communities.
Revenue Model
Foundation Grants (60-70%)
Democracy & civic engagement foundations
Institutional Subscriptions (20-25%)
School districts, agencies, coalitions: $500-$5,000 annually
Sponsorships & Individual Donors (10-15%)
City issue pathway underwriting + major donor support
Financial Projections
| Year | Budget | Users | Monthly Active | Key Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $250K | 2,500 | 750 | MVP launch, community partnerships |
| 2 | $300K | 8,000 | 3,200 | Gamification features, ambassador network |
| 3 | $450K | 25,000 | 12,500 | Multi-city expansion, advanced platform |
Network-Based User Acquisition
Relationship Capital
Our team brings decades of established community relationships:
- David A. Brown: 20+ years Houston community building, Leadership Houston network
- Aaron Landsman: Princeton networks, national theater/civic communities
- Advisory Board: Facilitation, research, arts, and policy networks
Distribution Strategy
- Partner referral loops: Schools, libraries, food access sites
- Local media partnerships: Earned placements with call-to-action inserts
- Community teams: Zip-code ambassadors and hub nights
- Foundation networks: Initial user activation through established relationships
Year 1 Acquisition Targets
| Phase | Users | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Months 1-3 | 250 | Foundation network activation |
| Months 4-6 | 750 total | Partner organization referrals |
| Months 7-12 | 2,500 total | Gamified growth + cascades |
Customer Acquisition Cost: $40/user ($100K marketing ÷ 2,500 users)
Target Completion Rate: 40% for guided pathways in 12-month MVP
Coverage Goal: 10 anchor partners to reach city-level coverage
Leadership & Credibility
David A. Brown, Founder
- 2025-2026 Catalyst Fellow, Othering & Belonging Institute, UC Berkeley
- 20+ years building community infrastructure from lived experience
- Leadership Houston and American Leadership Forum Fellow
- Pattern of transformation: Homelessness → Arts District Executive Director
- Spiritual practices: Mindfulness with Jon Kabat-Zinn, NYU Inner MBA, yoga philosophy
Strategic Advisory Board
- Aaron Landsman: Civic storytelling, Princeton faculty, City Council Meeting founder
- Tracie Jae: Facilitation strategy, The Quiet Rebel founder
- Evan Yoshimoto: Research & design, Othering & Belonging Institute
- Lilyanne McClean: Strategic communications, national campaign expert
- Maria del Carmen Montoya: Artist & educator, Ghana ThinkTank
Proven Track Record: Building Movements From Nothing
Spacetaker/Fresh Arts
Sold truck for nonprofit paperwork → 3,000 sq ft resource center → $1M in artist sales. Developed financial literacy training in partnership with Amegy Bank. Developed marketing training with local agencies. Still thriving today.
Houston Arts District
Connected divided First & Sixth Wards → built advisory board → developed 10-year strategy → successfully received Cultural District designation from State of Texas + Houston Mayor Annise Parker's proclamation about its benefit to the city → successful transition to community ownership.
Food Bank Innovation
Hired to develop research-supported strategies for bringing people together across race, class, politics, and religion. Piloted three breakthrough programs with More in Common's qualitative and quantitative research support: Dining with Purpose (shared meals across difference), Community Conversations (structured dialogue), and Breaking & Bridging workshops. Result: "People didn't just feel useful. They felt seen."
Academic & Research Validation
Built on More in Common's peer-reviewed research (N=4,522)² and supported by UC Berkeley's Othering & Belonging Institute⁶ fellowship program.
Track Record & Validation
"People didn't just feel useful. They felt seen." - Houston Food Bank program feedback
Houston-First Geographic Strategy
Why Houston?
Expansion Strategy
- Prove model depth before geographic breadth
- Target similar metros: diverse, growing, civic infrastructure
- Replicable systems for multi-city scaling
- 3-5 cities by Year 3
Addressing Investor Concerns
Q: Why won't this fail like other community apps?
A: Because this comes from lived experience of the problem. I've been homeless, broke, and cut off from community—and I've also experienced the transformative power of people who show up. Research shows five success factors⁷, but lived experience shows what really matters: authentic connection, sustained presence, and joy even in hard places.
Q: What if this becomes about one side vs. another side?
A: The spiritual foundation of this work—mindfulness training, Inner MBA, years of community practice—means we stay grounded in what unites communities rather than what divides them. Local focus, diverse advisors, and regular community input maintain integrity. Plus, I've seen what happens when communities fail people—I won't let that happen again.
Q: How do you sustain this emotionally demanding work?
A: "Stability is a fragile grace"—not control or certainty, but the ongoing practice of staying present when everything shifts. Jon Kabat-Zinn mindfulness training, yoga philosophy, and community accountability. This isn't about burnout culture—it's about building sustainable practices that can hold both joy and struggle.
Investment Opportunity
Technology (50%)
MVP platform with advanced gamification, user onboarding, community features, mobile app
Community Programs (30%)
Facilitated programs, partnership development, early user activation, ambassador network
Operations (20%)
Team expansion, administration, fundraising capacity, legal & compliance
Why Now?
- After big elections, people are tired of arguing and want practical ways to help their communities⁸
- Research shows our approach works
- Our team has deep community trust and connections
Success Numbers We'll Track
- 2,500 people signed up, 750 using it each month
- 40% of people finish their chosen path
- 70% complete real community actions
- Strong partnerships with local groups
Long-term Sustainability & Scale
Community Ownership Model
- Training local facilitators and ambassadors
- Open-source pathway development
- Community advisory boards in each city
- Resource-sharing agreements with partners
Revenue Diversification Path
- Year 3+: SaaS licensing to other cities ($10K-50K each)
- Year 5+: National foundation partnerships
- Long-term: Community-owned cooperatives
- Exit option: Acquisition by civic-minded foundation
Join the Movement
The Change Lab represents more than a platform—it's what my professors gave me: a door into a better world. What the McCullys gave me: a roof, a hug, a second chance. What those kids in Nicaragua gave me: proof that joy can exist even in the hardest places.
Email: hello@thechangelab.net
Phone: 713-416-2633
Website: www.thechangelab.net
2025-2026 Catalyst Fellow, Othering & Belonging Institute, UC Berkeley
Research Citations & Sources
- DataIntelo. (2024). Global Civic Engagement Platform Market Report. https://dataintelo.com/report/global-civic-engagement-platform-market
- More in Common. (2023). The Connection Opportunity: How Americans Can Come Together Through Civic Engagement. Survey of 4,522 Americans. https://moreincommonus.com/publication/the-connection-opportunity/
- Sæbø, Ø., Rose, J., & Flak, L. S. (2008). The shape of eParticipation: Characterizing an emerging research area. Government Information Quarterly, 25(3), 400-428. Referenced in ResearchGate gamification framework study
- Scottish Government. (2018). Market Research into Existing Civic Technologies and Digital Participation. https://www.gov.scot/publications/market-research-existing-civic-technologies-participation/pages/4/
- Storyly. (2023). 5 Stats That Prove Gamification Boosts Retention. https://www.storyly.io/post/5-stats-that-prove-gamification-boosts-retention
- UC Berkeley Othering & Belonging Institute. (2025). Catalyst Fellowship Program. https://belonging.berkeley.edu/
- Knight Foundation. (2014). Digital Citizenship: Measuring Civic Engagement Success Factors. CLEAR model framework for civic engagement effectiveness. Knight Foundation
- Pew Research Center. (2024). Americans' Views of Democracy and Elections. Survey data on democratic satisfaction and civic engagement trends.
- MoldStud Academic Publications. (2023). Strategies for Building Civic Engagement Platforms. Research on progressive pathway effectiveness. MoldStud
- MoldStud Academic Publications. (2023). Platform Engagement and Real-Time Feedback Systems. Analysis of retention rates with impact tracking. MoldStud
- MoldStud Academic Publications. (2023). Gamification Strategies for E-Government App Engagement. Study on achievement reward systems and user return rates. MoldStud
Additional Supporting Research
- Ford Foundation - Global civic engagement funding priorities and democratic participation research
- European Union CERV Programme - €33M funding for civic engagement platforms
- National Civic League - Civic Engagement Scorecard methodology
- Knight Foundation - Digital citizenship and civic technology effectiveness research
- AAPI Civic Engagement Fund - $36M+ distributed, evidence-based community engagement strategies