Social Impact Movement
Social Impact Movement (SIM) is a catalyst for social change in Miami, accelerating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by empowering citizens and leaders to take action on issues related to social justice, economic progress, and environmental changes. An innovative business venture using "social capital" to bridge the impact-action gap, preparing leaders to transform their local communities while advancing the SDGs. Our story: Social Impact Movement was founded in 2016 as a Florida Nonprofit Corporation and registered in 2017 as a 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Exempt with the mission to connect people to social-related global topics. A year after interacting and working in the community, we understood we could play an important role by linking Miami to the global conversation. We decided to step up and become active in the global social change movement. The Global Goals framework was incorporated in early 2018  when we became the pioneers building SDGs programs that elevate discussions and consciousness of our role in society to promote sustainable development. We have built a network of 1500 followers, formed more than 30 partnerships and alliances, featured more than 60 events, workshops, conferences, and activations, along with 1200 days of social change.  SIM events have been featured at the UNDP platform Local2030.org.  In 2019 we were featured in the Social Innovation chapter of the INNOVATE MIAMI book recognizing our work as Miami Social Innovators.  In 2020 we joined Catalyst2030, a global movement of social entrepreneurs working on systems change across the globe, supported by Schwabs Foundation, Skoll Foundation, Ashoka, and Echoing Green. We are coordinating the implementation of the US Catalyst Chapter. In 2021 we became signatory members of the United Nations Global Compact, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative with 14000 corporate participants and other stakeholders over 170 countries with two objectives: "Mainstream the ten principles in business activities around the world" and "Catalyze actions in support of broader UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)".

Purpose

“Change the world, changing our communities”.

Our purpose is to unveil the changemaker potential of each citizen by connecting them to the three pillars of sustainable development. We create programs, curate content, promote partnerships, mobilize, and educate our community using the SDG framework.

Our programs:

SDG Ambassadors: A leadership development program that promotes social entrepreneurs, changemakers, global thinkers, and doers committed to educating and demanding a call to action to issues affecting our community through the Sustainable Development Goals framework. Ambassadors participating in the Social Impact Movement program can develop a sense of building advocacy campaigns, networking for the progression of their goal, and examining local issues through an interdisciplinary lens.

SDG Voices in Miami:  A podcast, allowing the voice of the youth to be the primary source in understanding why they are committed to solving an issue. The format enables one’s initial reaction and emotion to be heard and understood on a personal level. In our episodes of Voices of Miami, hosts Josie Blohm and Olivia Martin-Johnson interview students from Miami – high school to college-age – and discuss their advocacy in the community. These podcasts are then published in the podcast platforms – Apple, Google, and Spotify – for the public to hear the future changemakers state their concerns. Our podcast is the unique youth-led Miami podcast focusing on educating our listeners on the Sustainable Development Goals topics, sharing initiatives that are happening in our city, and/or being created by Miami changemakers.

SDG Business: Launched in alignment with the United Nations Global Compact call to unite business at the decade of action 2020 – 2030. We work closely with the Greater Miami business community aiming for their full participation in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in our city. Our featured initiative is the SDG Impact Pledge, in collaboration with Accountable Impact. The SDG Impact Pledge presents the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework at an introductory level for companies that want to pioneer change by integrating sustainability into their business strategy. The goal is to advance the Global Goals by equipping small businesses with tools, strategies, and best practices on sustainability. The program is set as a cohort model and companies receive mentorship from sustainable companies, with SDG Roundtables being held quarterly. The SDG Impact Pledge is designed as a Community of Practice to share information, learn, innovate, and find solutions to local and regional issues.

SDG Learning:  A compilation of resources for individuals to improve their knowledge on topics covered by sustainable development, social entrepreneurship, and social change initiatives, curated by our team. Featuring free online courses, podcasts, TED talks, articles, reports, and other relevant resources to help our visitors grow boldly on their SDG-education-impact. Our selection is based on our changemaker proposal and theory of change.

Claudia Akel

CEO, Social Impact Movement

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Recognizing it will take alignment of all our organizations to scale impact globally, we invite you to join the movement as a Steward of Inclusive Capitalism. Together, the collective action of Council members will contribute to a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable future for all people and our planet.