Parklife: Partnering for Impact with the United Way’s Social Innovation Accelerator
At Parklife, we take pride in our dynamic involvement with the Social Innovation Accelerator (SIA), a transformative initiative led by the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas in collaboration with Accenture.
The SIA empowers social entrepreneurs, providing them with the crucial resources needed to expand their impact across education, income, and health sectors in North Texas. As a proud partner of SIA, Parklife's commitment goes beyond casual participation; we actively shape the future of these promising ventures.
A Hub for Development and Innovation
For the past two years, Parklife has delivered the marketing module of SIA’s intensive bootcamp for fellows, focusing on marketing, branding, and strategic communication. This program is designed to equip fellows from a variety of sectors—including education, human services, interior design, and healthcare—with the tools they need to succeed.
At this year’s marketing bootcamp, Carly Martinelli, the Director of Multimedia Marketing, led a session on Visual Brand Identity, with assistance from Designers Rachel Cameron and Jess Ledrowski. Brian Castle, the Founder of Parklife, discussed Brand Messaging and Thought Leadership. Meanwhile, Creative Director Annie Vann covered the fundamentals of Strategic Campaign Planning and Communications.
Our workshops have proven to be a cornerstone for these entrepreneurs, many of whom have made it to the final stages of The Pitch, the culminating competition of the accelerator. Last year, we celebrated as one of our fellows won the grand prize, a testament to the effectiveness of our collaborative efforts.
"Working with the nonprofits and mission-driven for-profits at the SIA Bootcamp is incredibly rewarding,” Martinelli said. “Sharing our expertise and seeing these passionate entrepreneurs apply it to their missions enhances what we do, enriching our experience as much as theirs."
This Year's Fellows
This year, we are excited to work with four outstanding fellows who are making significant strides in their respective fields:
La Tiendita: A cultural hub and marketplace that fosters economic development and celebrates community heritage.
Creative Flow School: A program focused on creativity, equity, and experiential learning to help underestimated leaders unlock their full potential.
The Learning Bridge: An organization dedicated to bridging educational gaps through innovative learning solutions.
The GEMS Camp: A program designed to empower young girls in STEM fields through education and mentorship.
Each of these fellows brings vision and dedication to their cause, and at Parklife, we are committed to helping them develop their branding and marketing strategies to maximize their impact.
"It's thrilling to assist the SIA fellows in preparing their Demo Day and Pitch presentations and guiding them through their Milestone Projects,” Vann said. “The progress they make from when they first enter the program to when they step onto the Pitch stage is remarkable, and it's a journey we're proud to join them on."
Looking Ahead
Our continued partnership with the Social Innovation Accelerator is a reflection of our belief in the power of community and innovation. By supporting these entrepreneurs, we contribute to their success and foster a more equitable, vibrant future for all.
As we look forward to the achievements of this year's cohort, Parklife remains dedicated to this enriching collaboration, ensuring that these visionaries have the support they need to transform North Texas and beyond.
