Guest commentator: Hillary Do, Founder & Executive Director, Philly BOLT

When you think of social change in Philadelphia, what comes to mind? Oftentimes, people may think of government or larger, institutional nonprofits. What gets lost from the conversation are grassroots leaders: people who live and are rooted in the communities they serve. These leaders have disproportionate impact because they: 

  1. Have firsthand experience with the problems; 
  2. Are rooted in the communities they serve; and 
  3. Won’t leave just because the problem gets hard 

However, within the nonprofit ecosystem, organizations run by local grassroots leaders are the most under-resourced.

Many of these leaders are paying out-of-pocket to run their programs – some taking on multiple jobs. Despite working in their neighborhoods for decades and often having a larger impact than institutional nonprofits, their organizations are seen as “small,” “low-impact,” and “risky.” Instead of pouring resources into outside stakeholders, nonprofit funding needs to be redirected at building them up as leaders for social change. Less than 4% of foundation-giving targets grassroots organizers of color. 

At the same time, they are the ones on the frontlines, providing critical services like food, basic necessities, after-school programs, and workforce training. 

These are leaders like Ryan Harris, the Founder and CEO of As I Plant This Seed in Hunting Park. In 2018, Ryan was moved to open up a community-led center for youth in his neighborhood, seeing many did not have a communal space they could claim as their own and a place they could go to after school.  

He had a goal of raising $30,000 for this vision. They stood at the intersection of Hunting Park Ave and Broad Street with buckets to ask passing cars for donations, foregoing eating and sleeping. In three days, they reached their goal of $30,000 to open up the community center which is now known as “The Treehouse” in Hunting Park. Ryan now serves over 500 youth at their events and enrolls over 70 youth each program cycle.  

Nyjah Smith, a young person who participates in As I Plant This Seed, says the program “changed the way I feel and think…Now I’m a poet…I have plans. I have a lot of plans for my future.”


Ryan raising funds for youth in his community (left) and with youth in his programs (right) 

Ryan should not have had to stand in the rain to raise the funds that would make his vision a reality when so much wealth exists. But it is Ryan who did, rooted in his deep love and care for his community: his neighbors, friends and family. 

What people fail to realize is that there are dozens of people like Ryan in the city: people who are serving their communities around the clock and are doing it with significantly more impact than outside stakeholders. Zarinah Lomax, who runs the Apologues. Tahira Fortune, who runs Voices by Choices. Milaj Robinson, who runs Youth Creating New Beginnings. And so many more. 

I challenge readers to not ask: “How can I fix Philadelphia’s problems?” but instead ask, “How can I support the leaders in these communities who are already doing the work?”

Grassroots leaders in PhillyBOLT’s School for Grassroots Leadership at The Treehouse in Hunting Park- some of the many in Philadelphia! 

It is no coincidence that the same problems have persisted in the same neighborhoods in Philadelphia for decades. Poverty, lack of educational opportunity, food scarcity and more in Black and brown neighborhoods, neighborhoods of color. Solutions dominated by outside stakeholders either are not working or are moving at a glacial pace.  

Credit: City Controller’s Office 

If we want to see real, substantive change in Philadelphia, a future where every neighborhood can thrive led by the people living there, we need to invest in people proximate to the communities they serve: people like Ryan Harris. They are fighting for something deeper and greater – they are fighting for their family, neighbors and friends.  

To meet some of these leaders, please join PhillyBOLT on Saturday, June 10th for our Celebration of Philly’s grassroots leaders. Tickets are $100 and tax-deductible. 100% of the proceeds will go to the grassroots leaders in our program, to support the work they are doing. Get your ticket now! 

YPC’s mission is to foster ambition and build community among young professionals who are paving the way for Greater Philadelphia’s future success and growth. Grassroots leadership is essential for bringing about meaningful change in communities, and young professionals have a unique perspective and skill set that can help support and amplify the work done by these leaders. If you would like to discuss hosting opportunities with YPC to contribute to and service the Philadelphia community, please email ypccivicengagement@chamberphl.com.