Extraordinary People (Series)

Adarsha Shivakumar and Apoorva Rangan are siblings that have used the power to TEACH rural Indians how to produce environmentally- and economically-sustainable fuel. After witnessing the devastation of local ecologies, Adarsha and Apoorva spent months in India convincing locals that processing a native fruit and using the byproducts as fuel presents a solution that balances human energy and local ecosystem needs. This video is part of a series produced by Not In Our School's parent company, The Working Group, for the Institute for Advancing Unity. This series focus on extraordinary people whose personal choices have inspired others to join in tremendous collective achievements. To turn on closed captioning for this film, first hit play and then go to the bottom right-hand corner and click: "CC" Get the Quick Start Guide to start a Not In Our School Campaign in your school Series Executive Producer: Edith Crawford Concept Designer: Stephanie Francis CEO, Institute for Advancing Unity: Dr. Robert M. Harris, Ph.D.

Dr. Joseph Marshall, Jr. - ADVOCATE

Dr. Joseph Marshall, Jr. is an author, activist, and veteran street soldier. Founder of the anti-violence movement Alive & Free, Marshall draws audiences from across the country to his weekly radio program, Street Soldiers— a name Dr. Marshall uses to describe people working to eliminate violence in their communities. To help keep his own community safer, Dr. Marshall co-founded the Omega Boys Club after years of working as a middle school teacher and seeing too many of his students lost to drugs and violence. This video is part of a series produced by Not In Our School’s parent company, The Working Group, for the Institute for Advancing Unity. This series focus on extraordinary people whose personal choices have inspired others to join in tremendous collective achievements. To turn on closed captioning for this film, first hit play and then go to the bottom right-hand corner and click: "CC" Get the Quick Start Guide to start a Not In Our School Campaign in your school Series Executive Producer: Edith Crawford Concept Designer: Stephanie Francis CEO, Institute for Advancing Unity: Dr. Robert M. Harris, Ph.D.

Florence Jones - EMBRACE CULTURE

Florence Jones (1907-2003) was the spiritual leader and chief healer of the Winnemem Wintu tribe of Northern California. The Wintu have called the McCloud River Watershed near Mount Shasta home for more than 1000 years, but were not provided a reservation as gold miners and pioneers drove them away in the name of industry. Although the Wintu’s numbers have dwindled from over 14,000 when contact with non-Natives was recorded to only 395, Jones has been at the forefront of a fight to save sacred sites and their way of live. By learning and teaching to EMBRACE CULTURE, Jones was able to lead the Wintu in a successful bid to block the construction of a ski resort on sacred Wintu land. This video is part of a series produced by Not In Our School’s parent company, The Working Group, for the Institute for Advancing Unity. This series focus on extraordinary people whose personal choices have inspired others to join in tremendous collective achievements. To turn on closed captioning for this film, first hit play and then go to the bottom right-hand corner and click: "CC" Get the Quick Start Guide to start a Not In Our School Campaign in your school Series Executive Producer: Edith Crawford Concept Designer: Stephanie Francis CEO, Institute for Advancing Unity: Dr. Robert M. Harris, Ph.D.

Laurence Tan - TEACH

The son of Filipino immigrants, Laurence Tan was studying to be a doctor when the vision of becoming a teacher presented itself in a dream. Now a fifth-grade teacher in Watts, California, Laurence uses the tool of TEACH to inspire and educate students in an area where opportunities are slim. Laurence has also helped establish the Watts Youth Collective with former students, an organization that promotes social change through media. Laurence’s 12-hour teaching days and his work with the collective are efforts to produce positive changes in each individual and the community. This video is part of a series produced by Not In Our School’s parent company, The Working Group, for the Institute for Advancing Unity. This series focus on extraordinary people whose personal choices have inspired others to join in tremendous collective achievements. To turn on closed captioning for this film, first hit play and then go to the bottom right-hand corner and click: "CC" Get the Quick Start Guide to start a Not In Our School Campaign in your school Series Executive Producer: Edith Crawford Concept Designer: Stephanie Francis CEO, Institute for Advancing Unity: Dr. Robert M. Harris, Ph.D.

DeMonte Smith - VOLUNTEER

After being bullied for his small size and pitch of his voice, DeMonte Smith decided to join Safe School Ambassadors at his middle school to reduce the amount of bullying he saw at his school. Safe School Ambassadors, a program of Community Matters, uses the social skills of influential students to create positive change in schools. This video is part of a series produced by Not In Our School’s parent company, The Working Group, for the Institute for Advancing Unity. This series focus on extraordinary people whose personal choices have inspired others to join in tremendous collective achievements. To turn on closed captioning for this film, first hit play and then go to the bottom right-hand corner and click: "CC" Get the Quick Start Guide to start a Not In Our School Campaign in your school Series Executive Producer: Edith Crawford Concept Designer: Stephanie Francis CEO, Institute for Advancing Unity: Dr. Robert M. Harris, Ph.D.

Brian Cox - ORGANIZE

As a former pro football player, Brian Cox understands the value of teamwork and community in achieving a goal. After retiring from the NFL, Cox came back to his native Los Angeles, witnessing the destruction that gang violence had wrought on his old neighborhood. As an administrator for the Parks Department, Cox became the director of the South Park Recreation Center and began efforts to improve the park. Through the common bond of football and community, Cox and his supporters led a campaign to improve the park to create a safe space for youth to gather and practice sports. Eventually gaining the trust of the community, Cox has transformed the park from a gang hangout to a vibrant family destination, improving the surrounding neighborhood at the same time. This video is part of a series produced by Not In Our School’s parent company, The Working Group, for the Institute for Advancing Unity. This series focus on extraordinary people whose personal choices have inspired others to join in tremendous collective achievements. To turn on closed captioning for this film, first hit play and then go to the bottom right-hand corner and click: "CC" Get the Quick Start Guide to start a Not In Our School Campaign in your school

Eliza Riley - ADVOCATE

Kiki Vo - FORGIVE

Slater Jewell-Kemker - EXPRESS

Slater Jewell-Kemker is a 17-year-old filmmaker and reporter who celebrates the best of humanity, empowering young people to change the world with media and technology. Through her work, Slater has empowered a global network of young environmentalists and met with important trendsetters and lawmakers. By using the tool of EXPRESS, Slater and the youth that join her are creating positive social change. This video is part of a series produced by Not In Our School's parent company, The Working Group, for the Institute for Advancing Unity. This series focus on extraordinary people whose personal choices have inspired others to join in tremendous collective achievements. To turn on closed captioning for this film, first hit play and then go to the bottom right-hand corner and click: "CC" Get the Quick Start Guide to start a Not In Our School Campaign in your school Series Executive Producer: Edith Crawford Concept Designer: Stephanie Francis CEO, Institute for Advancing Unity: Dr. Robert M. Harris, Ph.D.