Tangible Hope Project is a documentary series about individuals and organizations across the country, in towns big and small, that are finding unique ways to make a positive impact on the people in their community. Director/Producer Jonathan David Martin was inspired by a desire to bring attention to stories about people who are working to create the world that they would like to live in – not just react to it. In a time when political headlines and hot-button topics seem to be all we pay attention to, the reality is that people are striving for something better – in ways that unite us, more than divide us.
From innovative nonprofit organizations, to individual game-changers, to community projects connecting people of all ages and backgrounds, there is proof that positive change is happening in the most surprising and inspiring places. Traveling over 5000 miles, across 11 states, and conducting over 50 interviews, our team was able to get a glimpse of some of the remarkable ways people are making a difference: an eye-opening experience that we are excited to share with you.
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Additional Episodes & Videos
Eric Meyer co-founded Cahaba Brewing Company in 2011 from his knowledge of craft brewing and water quality. The brewery sits in an old brick warehouse that originally held the Continental (Cotton) Gin Complex and serves as a reminder of Birmingham’s industrial past.
Teams of project managers and volunteers work together to provide home repairs for single moms across Colorado.
A longtime resident of Santa Fe, NM, Karen has spent her life connecting people “They want to give. And so I’m the one they can give it to knowing that I’ll find someone who needs it.”
The leading nonprofit organization dedicated to classical guitar in the United States.
Trina works in a small roadside cafe in Pulaski, TN. Population 7,652.
A native New Orleanian and vendor in the historic French Market, Carol spoke to us about the power of tradition.
Creates educational opportunities for youth and families to foster food security and agricultural entrepreneurship.
Helps sustain traditional Native American foods and traditional Native agricultural food practices.
Promotes the work of Nashville area non-profits to increase public awareness of their missions and encourage higher rates of volunteerism.
In Zephyr, TX, goat competitions regularly bring out the community. “You’re trying to make them look the best they can and it takes a lot of work…It’s like bodybuilding for goats.”
Works to defend the ecological integrity of the Cahaba River in Birmingham, AL.
La’Tanya Scott is the Environmental Educator for Cahaba River Society (CRS). CRS has introduced over 37,500 local students and residents to the amazing bio-diversity of Cahaba River since it’s founding in 1988.
Le’Kedra Robertson founded The Milne Inspiration Center (The MIC) in 2012. The organization’s programs set up young people of color in New Orleans to be the next generation of leaders.
Strives to create a more literate Nashville by bringing volunteer book readers into k-5 classrooms.
We met Steven just after his bike ride through Arches National Park in Utah.
Bruce drives the Jupiter train at the Primm, NV outlet mall and was one of the original employees of the Las Vegas Excalibur Hotel.
The Nielsons introduced us to their town of Monticello, UT.
Frida Friday ATX, founded by Creative Director, TK Tunchez, is Austin’s premier WoC centered monthly marketplace and cultural event.
Born and raised in Green River, UT, Addison works in the John Wesley Powell River History Museum.
Empowers teens in the New Orleans area by building a house in a semester. They learn valuable job skills while earning an hourly wage and school credit.
A community-centric visual, literary, and performing arts center in the Gunnison Valley, Colorado.
Provides a unique and safe environment for LGBTQ youth and their allies to come together in Hickory, NC.
We met Chelsea in the Cedar City, UT Cedar Bowling Center.
A musician and guitar teacher originally from Rochester, NY, Anthony has lived in Austin, TX for over 12 years.
Lafayette, LA Flea Market Vendor
Provides, advocates, and models quality health services for the uninsured and low income individuals and families.
Provides educational, entrepreneurial, and spiritual growth programs for under-served communities in Nashville.
Nga introduced us to the thriving Vietnamese community in Denver, CO and to her work promoting the contributions of refugees across Colorado.
Focused on improving educational outcomes for students in Henderson, NC.
Creates opportunities for New Orleans youth to develop healthier lifestyles through a guided running training program.
Assists Colorado families in need with energy efficiency home improvements.
From Houston, TX, we met Kayla at Austin’s famed (and now closed) Hope Outdoor Gallery Graffiti Park.
Austin-based community service volunteer organization that sends free books and educational materials to prisoners in Texas.
Chomonique Harris and her family run a local coffee shop in Oxford, NC.
Builds a welcoming community in Nashville where Latino families can belong, contribute, and succeed.
A singer, Alicia came to New Orleans to be part of the music scene in the birthplace of jazz.
Uses the power of creativity to help youth in Denver break the cycle of generational poverty.
Seth runs Seven Flags Coffeee in Austin, TX.
A pedicab driver in New Orleans, Isaac told us about his hopes for his hometown.
The mayor of Santa Anna, Tx, population 1,099, Harold gave us a tour of the town’s visitor center.
This September I traveled 5,000 miles across the United States interviewing individuals I met in bowling alleys, church parking lots, and graffiti parks (among other places) about their communities and about the individuals or organizations in their town or city that help make it a better place.
Maybe the most profound takeaway I was left with after all of these conversations was that whether an individual or organization was focused on youth, construction, music, or agriculture, the most important thing that they did was not just to put food on someone’s table, or teach someone to use a hammer, or play guitar, but to connect people with each other in a meaningful way.
It’s not just not-for-profit institutions that are making communities a better place. Many of the people who I spoke to in small towns talked about how the changemakers in their communities were not any organization or even a single individual but the community as a whole.
So, where did the name “Tangible Hope” come from? I’m so glad you asked! I was introduced to the term by my friend and eco-theater maker, Jeremy Pickard. Jeremy is the founder of Superhero Clubhouse, a small but mighty theater company based in Brooklyn, NY that he runs with co-director, Lanxing Fu. Superhero Clubhouse “unites…
Smoke & Mirrors Collaborative is a nonprofit production company that creates original works for theater and the web that combine socially relevant themes with an ambitious, multi-disciplinary approach to storytelling. Our intent is to give voice to unfamiliar and underrepresented stories in the most relatable, entertaining, and idiosyncratic way possible while challenging our audience’s assumptions about the world around them. We have produced theater Off-Broadway, festivals, internationally, and media for the web. Our work is created through extensive research and partnerships with our community, artists of all mediums and backgrounds, and other nonprofit advocacy institutions.
Jonathan David Martin (Director, Producer) is an actor, director, and producer, focused on the creation and presentation of contemporary works of performance and new media. He is the founding Co-Artistic Director of Smoke & Mirrors Collaborative (SMC), a New York City-based theater and media company. With SMC he produced “Inauguration Stories 2017” an online audio documentary project capturing a snapshot of America from the 2017 inauguration in Washington DC, co-created and produced #HashtagProject, co-created and directed Point of Departure and The Alien Nation, co-wrote and performed in Head in the Sand and performed in the award-winning Olityelwe (Ndebele Funeral). Jonathan was an actor and puppeteer in the original Broadway cast of Warhorse, appeared in the JJ Abrams-Alfonso Cuaron NBC series, “Believe,” CBS’s “Unforgettable, ” as well as dozens of productions at theaters across the US and internationally. Jonathan received the Leonore Annenberg Foundation Fellowship for the Arts for his work as an actor and theater maker. MFA: NYU Graduate Acting.
Jenni Fontana (Producer) is an LA-based television producer and marketing executive. Her career has spanned positions in casting, production, and development, with a focus on content creation for documentary television and film projects. She has worked on series for CNN, Netflix, and Amazon among others. Jenni is also involved with several nonprofit and community organizations.
Todd Ford (Producer, Creative Consultant) is Berlin-based Video and Web producer. He is currently in-residence in Washington DC. His projects usually focus on the African Diaspora. His company is visualexistence.com.
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Smoke & Mirrors Collaborative is fiscally sponsored by Not Man Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble, a not for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Thank you for your support.
