#NonprofitNovember is highlighting Creative Collective’s nonprofit Business Members in a series of featured interviews. These short features will grant some insight into how these nonprofits have grown and developed through the years and how they plan to use what they’ve learned to further their respective missions in 2022.
This Holiday season, follow the hashtag #NonprofitNovember to learn more about the nonprofit organizations in the communities, and discover how to support their ongoing efforts in a meaningful way.
Interviewee: Alfred Wilson (he/him/his)
What is your role within the organization, and what is your organization’s mission?
As CEO, I am the key visionary and management leader of Beyond Walls. I am responsible for overseeing the strategic plan of the organization. I hold overall strategic responsibility for Beyond Walls staff, expansion, and execution of its mission. I additionally oversee fundraising, marketing, and public relations and report directly to The Board of Directors.
Beyond Walls’s mission is to activate space to strengthen communities. We use art, design, and planning to improve how people engage with and feel about their built environment and produce epic art, designed spaces, and programs that engage people of all ages, virtually and in person. We know that by creating more open, active, accessible spaces that are welcoming and appealing to people from all backgrounds and generations, communities will see an improvement in their economic, social, and civic life.
We serve the people, civic leaders, and business owners who want to work together to manifest the power of art, design, and planning to tie the heritage of the past to the potential of the future.
What’s something you are proud of / something you achieved this year as an organization?
This year, we’re really proud of the mural tours we led for Lynn Public Schools (LPS). Over the summer, over 750 LPS students utilized our Taking the Classroom to the Streets resource, which weaves public art into cross-curricular learning. We’re so grateful to continue this work with students, teachers, and administrators here in Lynn.
Tell us a time that you saw your vision in action?
In July of 2021, we saw the culmination of our Truth Be Told project come to life, an initiative designed to encourage Lynn youth to share their personal experiences through art and storytelling during the COVID-19 crisis. In collaboration with Harbor Voices – a nonprofit public art collective – we hosted an immersive light and sound installation featuring the voices of youth that participated in Truth Be Told.
What’s something you would like your followers to know about your organization that they may not already know? Or, what is something that is unique about your organization?
As we look to expand our Taking the Classroom to the Streets program, Beyond Walls is hiring! We’re looking to bring on an Education and Access Program Manager who will oversee this exciting initiative and take it to the next level.
Who is your organization for?
Beyond Walls is for communities, schools, youth, local businesses, artists, and art enthusiasts.
Where can people find out more about your organization and support its ongoing efforts?
You can find more information on our website and by following us on social media @beyondwallslynn
