Crossposted at Future Majority (www.futuremajority.com)

Yesterday, I began my fellowship placement with the Bridges to Health Program of the Greenlining Institute (www.greenlining.org) in Berkeley, CA. Greenlining is "a multi-ethnic advocacy, research, leadership development, and public policy organization whose ultimate goal is to increase the role that low-income and minority Californians play in the civic arena in order to create equitable policies and improve quality of life for all communities." My initial project focuses on telemedicine as it pertains to medically underserved populations. In addition to being part of YP4's Leadership Academy, the people at Greenlining have been generous enough to include me in their own Fellowship Academy.

Two weeks ago, I discussed the existence of a third-world within the first-world. In a more recent blog post, I explored the challenges of combating sex trafficking in the United States, more specifically, in my progressive hometown of San Francisco. While I do not profess to completely comprehend the challenges of being a victim/survivor of sex trafficking, I can relate to the experience of being commodified and labeled as "exotic." The comments made by others on my "unique" physical appearance (as a result of my multi-ethnic ancestry), has led me to question if others can appreciate my knowledge and the complexity of my identity without getting distracted by what they see.

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"We were at a picnic table outside of The Timberland Company talking about how to change the world. High energy.  Lots of ideas thrown around.  That kinda' convo.

What stuck was the thought that music is a powerful force in people's lives - just as much as our desire to live on a cleaner, more humane planet.  So why not combine them?  

Certainly we aren't the only music lovers who want to make the world a better place.  Why not start an organization dedicated to mobilizing the desire of fans to make a positive difference?  So we did.

Good things start from simple conversations.  Great things happen when thoughtful, committed citizens decide that they're going to change the world.  We're lucky to be surrounded by fans, artists, and organizations committed to changing the world.  We are honored to serve alongside them and we invite YOU to join us!"

That's the story of the Concert Corps.  Founded by AmeriCorps members serving with City Year New Hampshire, the Concert Corps unites good music and good people to produce great change.  

Consider yourself invited to the Big Apple Day of Service on July 14 (THIS SATURDAY). Serve at one of nine different projects all over the city, as part of a sold out three-show event at Madison Square Garden to benefit the Dispatch Foundation for Zimbabwe with the college jam-band turned legend: DISPATCH.