The CEO of an Idaho-based social impact agency is hoping to remind us we are all capable of taking a stand and creating positive change in the world… and he wants your suggestions for additions to the Inspiration Alley Wall of Fame.
The Inspiration Alley Project Is expanding
Russ Stoddard, founder and CEO of Oliver Russell — a Boise, Idaho-based social impact agency with clients around the world — wanted to encourage and inspire a pursuit of social and environmental justice in the community and beyond, and show that against the odds, we are all capable of taking a stand and creating positive change in the world.
So in 2020, Oliver Russell created the Inspiration Alley Project right there in Boise. If you haven’t seen it already, the Inspiration Alley Project is a collection of large-scale murals depicting social justice heroes – Malala Yousafzai, Maya Moore, Colin Kaepernick, and Dolores Huerta.
Dolores Clara Fernández Huerta is an American labour leader and civil rights activist. Inspiration Alley has become a popular destination. The murals inspire everyone who walks by, hence – “Inspiration Alley”. People take selfies with the heroes and elementary school classes come on field trips to learn about the examples of these social justice icons and their causes. Source: GoFundMe/InspirationAlley
What next for inspiration alley?
The stated goal for this next phase of the Inspiration Alley Project is to expand it to create more murals, support local artists, and create a companion online experience so that they can reach – and teach – others about these remarkable and inspirational people.
They’ve set an ambitious fundraising goal of $20,000 (of which over half has been donated in two days!). If they reach their initial 7-9 murals, here are just some of the champions who have been nominated:
- Dolly Parton, for her work in literacy, education, wildlife conservation, and medical research
- Rosalie Fish, a collegiate track athlete and member of the Cowlitz Tribe, for her advocacy on behalf of indigenous women who have gone missing or have been murdered.
- Chef Jose Andres of World Central Kitchen, for his efforts to feed people during disasters, currently on display in his work for Ukraine refugees.
- Father Gregory Boyle of Homeboy Industries, for helping former street gang members find a positive new way in life.
- Katherine Johnson, a Black female mathematician working in a man’s world at NASA, for helping put an astronaut on the moon.
- Dr. Jane Goodall for her groundbreaking work and scientific research centering on conservation and chimpanzees.
- Mitsuye Endo, a lead plaintiff in the lawsuit that resulted in the closing of internment camps for Japanese-Americans during WWII.
- Sally Ride, the first woman astronaut to go into space and a role model for LGBT community.
- Alexei Navalny, a human rights activist who survived poisoning, currently imprisoned in a Russian penal colony.
- Homero Gómez González, a Mexican environmental activist who was kidnapped and murdered for protecting the El Rosaria Monarch Butterfly Preserve.
- Greta Thunberg, climate activist and founder of the Fridays for Future movement.
Malala Yousafzai is an activist for female education, and the worlds youngest Nobel Prize laureate, only the second Pakistani to ever receive a Nobel Prize. Given the challenging circumstances facing Idaho right now – and indeed those around the world – it’s imperative to have this visible public art honoring those who have fought for their values to create social and environmental impact around the globe. Source: GoFundMe/InspirationAlley
Have someone you’d like to nominate? Let us know!
“Of course, the more we raise, the more murals we can paint, and the more compelling we can make the educational web experience. If we’re super successful, we’d even like to explore lighting the murals so that they can inspire people 24/7.”
— Russ Stoddard
If you would like to be a part of this movement, click here to learn more.
Maya April Moore is an American professional basketball player who has taken a hiatus from her WNBA career to focus on reform in the American justice system. Source: GoFundMe/InspirationAlley
Who are Russ Stoddard and Oliver Russell?
SustainableBrands.com lists Russ Stoddard as the founder and CEO of Oliver Russell — a Boise, Idaho-based social impact agency with clients around the world.
Russ is recognised as an expert working at the confluence of business and social responsibility and a leader in the growing B Corp movement. He provides clients with brand strategy and consulting services that help social enterprises compete more effectively in the marketplace. He also teaches educational courses on transformative new business models.
Russ is the author of the Amazon bestseller, Rise Up – How to Build a Socially Conscious Company; and a frequent contributor to Sustainable Brands, Conscious Company Media, B The Change, and Real Leaders.
Russ has recently co-founded a new brewery, Works Progress Administration – a public benefit corporation; while also serving as an advisor to numerous social enterprise startups – including GoodWell, ShareTagg, and evox OmniMedia.
Source: SustainableBrands
Colin Rand Kaepernick is an American civil rights activist and former football quarterback. Have someone you’d like to nominate? Let Oliver Russell know! Of course, the more they raise, the more murals they can paint, and the more compelling they can make the educational web experience. See below for details. Source: GoFundMe/InspirationAlley
Source: Instagram/OliverRussell
HELP US EXPAND THE INSPIRATION ALLEY PROJECT! (GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN)
We want to encourage and inspire a pursuit of social and environmental justice in our community and beyond - and show that against the odds, we are all capable of taking a stand and creating positive change in the world. We look forward to you being a part of this movement with your generous contribution - thank you! #inspirationalley