The Next Chapter: From Fast Pitch to Story of Us LA
We are thrilled to announce that our beloved annual event, Fast Pitch, is entering its next chapter as Story of Us LA. Since 2008, this gathering has been a cornerstone of our year, bringing together changemakers to share their visions for a more just and liberated Los Angeles. Changing the name to Story of Us LA reflects the natural evolution of our approach to the event over the past eight years.
Fast Pitch began as a platform to elevate innovative nonprofit initiatives. It has blossomed into a space where leaders with lived experience share their stories and invite us all into the work of systems change. Through the years, we've witnessed how personal storytelling and deep community connection can transform individual organizations, shake systems, and bring our community together in shared purpose.
Story of Us LA builds on Fast Pitch's legacy while embracing what this event has become – an invitation to recognize our collective power and responsibility in creating the Los Angeles we envision. We are weaving together our individual experiences, hopes, and dreams, into a larger story of transformation and liberation.
How We Got Here
Fast Pitch 2008
When Fast Pitch began in 2008, we gathered to spotlight innovative ideas to address pressing social issues in LA. As we asked our community, including Fast Pitch alum, how we could strengthen the event, our focus shifted to shining a light on the work of systems change addressing the root causes of injustice. By 2017, we recognized that creating a more just LA would require acknowledging our interconnectedness, digging deep into systems change, and working in collaboration and not in competition toward our vision.
The way we approach storytelling has also evolved. Fast Pitch began by sharing stories about the impact of each initiative. While the leaders continue to share the impact of their work, they’re also sharing their own lived experiences that fuel their passion for their work. These stories invite us to see ourselves in each other's experiences and recognize our own role in creating meaningful change.
Fast Pitch 2024
By the time we returned to an in-person event in 2024, our focus had fully shifted to building authentic connections between our speakers and our community. Story of Us LA is now an invitation to join a collective journey toward justice and liberation. The name matches the spirit of recognizing that we all have a part to play in transforming Los Angeles.
What Does This Mean for Our Beloved Event?
Story of Us LA continues to be our flagship annual gathering where incredible leaders share their visions for a more just Los Angeles with the region’s community of changemakers. Our speakers continue to be Fellows from our Systems Change Fellowship program – leaders with lived experience of the issues they're addressing who are working to transform systems that perpetuate injustice.
We’re stepping into a more explicit focus on creating opportunities for genuine connection between speakers and attendees, moving away from a one-directional presentation format toward spaces for authentic dialogue and shared vulnerability. We want everyone who attends to see themselves as part of this story as active participants in our shared narrative.
Story of Us LA is an invitation to recognize your own role in transforming Los Angeles. Whether you're a longtime supporter or joining us for the first time, we hope you find a role in LA’s story.
2024-25 Systems Change Fellows and Story of Us LA 2025 Speakers
Join Us
We invite you to be part of Story of Us LA on April 25, 2025. Tickets will go on sale in late January. To learn more about getting involved or to be notified when tickets are available, reach out to us or subscribe to our newsletter.