The Architects of Change program at OLP was formed in partnership with Maria Shriver. Along with her team at Shriver Media we derived a workable program to allow students to learn skills to facilitate a well researched topical conversation. These conversations profile leaders and groundbreakers who inspire a society to “challenge what is, imagine what can be, and move humanity forward.”
Students in the Architects of Change club (AOC) believe that we all have the power to be Architects of Change in our own lives, in our own homes, and our own communities. As an AOC, we take an active part in moving humanity forward, which ultimately unites us to a deeper understanding and appreciation of one another. And as such, we engage in rich discussion around mindset, inclusion, and action-alignment.
“Challenge what is, imagine what can be, and move humanity forward,” are words ingrained at the heart of our student participants and drive the club effort. AOC students operate as a team and emulate the highest standards of professionalism mirroring board-like operations. The club seeks out positive changemakers in our world who are themselves committed to equitable and inclusive practices highlighting their effort to inspire others in their quest to move humanity forward. Borrowing from Ms. Shriver, the AOC club believes that when sharing in conversation minds open, hearts are moved and change happens! We work to professionally share the stories of identified Architects of Change with our school through Live Conversations and other communication platforms.
Over the past years, we have had the opportunity to host live conversations with changemakers such as author Annette Ross, CEO of Sony Mike Fasulo, World Champion Surfer Bethany Hamilton, eco-friendly Fashion Designer and Technologist Julia Daviy, Author and Activist for disabled rights Haben Girma, young Entrepreneur Alina Morse, Philanthropist Darlene Shiley, Author, Journalist, Media Producer Maria Shriver and many more.
Formation
After attending Maria Shriver's Architects of Change Live conversation with Shonda Rhimes, OLP students were inspired to emulate the event at our school. Under the guidance of Ms. Rivka Bent we began working directly with Ms. Shriver and her team at Shriver Media for over a year before the details to launch were finalized. OLP’s inaugural Architects of Change at School event was held on Wednesday, November 30, 2016, with 750 high school girls, 80 faculty and staff, and roughly 30 members of the extended community in attendance. It has grown exponentially bringing more widely known names and garnering up to 1000+ guests.
Architects of Change Live is our conversation series with a mission. It celebrates individuals who challenge what is, imagine what can be, and move humanity forward.