How one road trip inspired 50,000 volunteers
[Free workshop] YouTube strategies to turn your mission into a movement
Imagine turning a simple idea into a force that mobilizes 50,000 volunteers, impacts hundreds of causes, and inspires changemakers across the globe. This isn't just a dream—it's the real-life story of social entrepreneur Amber Melanie Smith.
Amber's journey began with a cross-country road trip with her best friend and a passion for community service. Over three months, the pair volunteered in more than 20 states.
Today, Amber is a recognized leader in social impact and a shining example of how one person's mission can become a powerful movement. She’s been featured in Fast Company and the Philanthropy Journal, and has served on North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper's Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.
But Amber's story isn't just about her achievements—it's about the role of community. It's a testament to turning individual efforts into collective impact. And it's a blueprint for anyone who's ever thought, "I want to make a difference, but where do I start?"
When my kids were younger, I wanted to teach them the value of giving back, but it’s challenging to find meaningful service opportunities that welcome children.
In stepped Activate Good, the nonprofit Amber founded after that fateful road trip adventure.
Amber recently left Activate Good in the capable hands of a new executive director so she can focus on her next mission to inspire changemakers.
Changing the world is not for the faint of heart. Where others have tossed up their hands and said, “Oh well, it’s just the way it is,” changemakers have stepped forward to make it better.
That takes courage, conviction and community.
Imagine you want to clean up your local park. There’s only so much you can do on your own, so you tell your friends. They think it’s a great idea and invite more friends.
Now imagine some of those people are outside your neighborhood, but they still want to help. So they coordinate people to clean up their local park. Soon every park in the city has a volunteer cleanup crew
Now imagine if you and the people you’ve inspired could tell even more people – not just in your city, but across the globe.
That is how online communities turn missions into movements.
Community amplifies an idea, reaching people you would never otherwise know.
It overcomes one of the hardest challenges of lasting change, which is developing new ideas to overcome the status quo. In The Hive, we call it The Hive Mind – members collaborating together to swap stories, share resources and innovate solutions.
As members see their collective impact, something magical happens.
They become more engaged, more motivated and more committed to the cause. They embrace their role in something bigger than themselves.
Voices become louder, actions become more impactful. It's like the difference between one squeaky wheel and a thousand—impossible to ignore.
Changing the world can be lonely, frustrating, discouraging work. But as members celebrate little wins, it's easier to see the vision coming to life. Solitary struggles are put into perspective by shared triumphs.
In 2019, Amber launched a YouTube channel teaching people to start and grow successful nonprofits and social enterprises. Each week, she inspires more than 64,000 subscribers to build vehicles for lasting change.
On Tuesday, July 16, Amber will lead a workshop on leveraging YouTube to attract members to your community. She’ll explain how to get visible on the platform, how to convert YouTube subscribers into community members and how to decide if YouTube is a good platform for you.
Whether you’re trying to change the world or just help members navigate the world they’re in, your mission can be a movement. I hope you’ll join us and be inspired on your community journey.
Trusting in your spark,
Join us in The Hive on Tuesday, July 16 at 2:00 PM EST as Amber reveals her strategies for leveraging YouTube to grow your audience, create engaging content, and convert viewers into active community members.
🐝 Register for "Leveraging YouTube to Attract Community Members with Amber Melanie Smith".
Community building is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. The Hive is where kind-hearted, curious leaders like Amber come together to learn, grow, and make a difference.