Community Connections: A Powerful Afternoon at Story of Us LA
April 24th marked a milestone for Social Justice Partners LA as we hosted our flagship event, Story of Us LA (formerly known as Fast Pitch). The afternoon brought together our community, who gathered to amplify the voices of Los Angeles leaders forging paths toward liberation through their systems change initiatives.
A New Chapter Begins
This year represented an exciting evolution for our annual gathering. While building on our 16-year legacy, we embraced our new name—Story of Us LA—which better reflects our deepened focus on community connection and collective action. The energy in the room confirmed that this transition resonated with our community of change-makers, funders, and activists.
Seven Visionary Leaders
The heart of the afternoon centered around our remarkable 2024-25 Systems Change Fellows who shared their personal narratives and transformative work:
Each Fellow's story illuminated the challenges facing our communities, and the innovative, community-centered solutions they're building to create lasting change.
The Energy in the Room
What made the afternoon truly special was the palpable sense of energy and commitment from everyone in attendance. When asked to describe the energy they were leaving with in a single word, attendees responded with: Inspired. Hopeful. Energized. Connected. Empowered. Motivated. Grateful. Alive. Renewed. Uplifted.
These powerful responses reflect the transformative nature of the stories shared and connections made throughout the afternoon.
Commitment to Action
As stories unfolded, we witnessed our community's eagerness to support these initiatives in tangible ways. When asked how they planned to show up in community with the speakers, attendees shared commitments like:
"Make it rain!" and "Give money, honey!!" — reflecting the desire to provide direct financial support
"Amplify their messages" and "Share their stories widely" — spreading the word about these initiatives
"Connect them with funders" and "Connecting them with county funding" — leveraging networks to expand support
"Visit every website and learn more" and "Follow and champion them in every way possible" — deepening engagement
"Partnership" and "Finding ways to work together" — building collaborative relationships
These sentiments capture the essence of what Story of Us LA aims to foster—a community that recognizes its collective power and responsibility in creating a more just Los Angeles.
Continuing the Momentum
The connections forged during Story of Us LA represent just the beginning. We invite everyone—whether you attended or not—to continue supporting our Fellows' visionary work:
Support their initiatives:
Values That Resonated
The impact of Story of Us LA extended beyond action commitments to touch on deeper values that attendees will carry forward. When asked about values or messages that resonated, our community highlighted:
"Working across communities and rejecting silos created by systemic inequities"
"Put your 'extra' where your values are"
"Being present and available"
"Collaboration!"
These reflections demonstrate how the personal narratives shared by our Fellows connected to broader values of solidarity, intentionality, and collective responsibility.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on this year's event, we're already envisioning how Story of Us LA will continue to evolve as the platform in LA for uplifting the narratives of lived experience and driving systems change. Each year, this gathering strengthens our collective journey toward a more just and liberated Los Angeles.
We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made this event possible—our Fellows, coaches, sponsors, volunteers, and every attendee who showed up with open hearts and minds. Together, we're writing the next chapter of LA's journey toward justice.
Sonya Young Aadam (she/her)