why[here]matters

why [here] matters is a community building company founded on the belief that anyw[here] diverse groups of people come together towards pursuing common cause matters.

We liaise between organizations, initiatives, local communities, and their leaders to foster social cohesion, belonging and civic health in an increasingly polarized society.

Below you’ll find the current clients and past projects that embody this work.

current work

  • New Pluralists Collaborative | Field Building

    New Pluralists is a funder collaborative focused on supporting the growing field of practitioners, storytellers, researchers, and innovators working to foster a culture of pluralism in America.

    New Pluralists
  • 92NY | Share Our America

    92 NY | Share Our America

    Share Our America is a national initiative to reduce polarization in our country, bringing Americans from different backgrounds together to understand each other's perspectives, and build empathy, respect, and trust.

    Share Our America

  • 100 Days in Appalachia | Project Heard

    Project Heard is an inrtative partnering with community organizers in four Appalachian states — West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Ohio — to convene young adults in conversations and mutual learning about democracy, voting rights and elections.

    100 Days in Appalachia

past work

  • The L & K Cafe

    Co-founded and facilitated a virtual coworking cafe to address isolation and cultivate belonging during the initial COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

    check out a typical agenda

  • The Detroit BizGrid

    Facilitated redesign of a comprehensive tool for connecting entrepreneurs to organizations providing business assistance in Detroit.

    look into our process

  • Remote Year - Yugen

    Led community and experience design for a group of 59 digital nomads traveling around together the world for a year.

    learn about our journey

  • P2PU Learning Circles

    Built a partnership between Peer-2-Peer University and the Detroit Public Library to then pilot and facilitate Learning Circles for non-traditional adult learners.

    check out Learning Circles

  • Gathering With A Purpose

    Co-developed a four-part program intended to teach the values and catalyze the practice of timebanking

    learn more about the program

  • Political Depolarization at The Commons

    Supported the launch of community of practice aimed at fostering depolarization towards peacebuilding through individual social media use.

    visit the community

  • The Living Lot

    A co-created pop-up placemaking project that activated vacant lots along a revitalizing commercial corridor in Detroit’s Corktown.

    check out the photo album

  • The unCommission

    Supported nationwide outreach, engagement and recruitment for a storytelling initiative elevating youth experiences with STEM education

    view some featured stories

  • GOTV: Voter Mobilization and Civic Education Fellowship

    Facilitated a cohort of 18-25 year olds for Harvard GSE’s Making Caring Common 2020 GOTV program, helping them effectively mobilize their peers to vote, while providing them with civic knowledge and organizing skills that will be useful throughout their lives.

    view the recorded webinars

  • Dual School Social Change Fellowship

    Co-facilitated a cohort of aspiring high school-aged changemakers as they went through the process of developing social impact projects in their own communities

    learn about the fellowship
  • Trust Magazine Activation Events

    Trust Magazine Activation Events

    Co-designed and led three virtual events that allowed New_ Public community members to engage magazine content, experts and each other.

    check out the magazine

  • Thrive Resilient Communities Pilot

    Recruited community members and launched teams for a community resilience program in four Southeast Tennessee communities

    learn about resilient communities

  • Millions of Conversations - 3142

    3142 promotes civil dialogue and productive engagement on local issues, providing tools and strategic guidelines for addressing local issues.

    learn about 3142

  • Uplifting Impact - How to be an Ally Summit

    The three day summit focuses on bridge-building for DEI professionals through a healthy, positive framework for talking about and taking action on racial equity in the workplace.

    learn about past summits

  • Second Day

    Second Day is building an equitable talent pipeline into impact-driven organizations by providing mentorship, professional development, and peer support to diverse and driven young people.

    connect with Second Day