Empowering Local Ideas. Building Stronger Communities.
We help communities build resilience by elevating local voices and bringing good ideas to life.
The Challenge
Many communities—especially small, rural, and under-resourced places—have strong ideas and dedicated people, but lack the time, funding pathways, coordination, or technical support to move their priorities forward. Local leaders often carry the work alone, volunteers burn out, and promising projects stall because there’s no structured help to turn vision into action.
Communities thrive when they can act on their own ideas—our work helps make that possible.
Our Projects & Partners
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Juneteenth in Marshall - TN
Community Innovation Lab is proud to serve as the fiscal sponsor for Juneteenth in Marshall, an annual celebration in Lewisburg, Tennessee that honors the end of slavery in the United States and the rich history of African Americans. This community-led event has grown to welcome hundreds of community members, embodying our commitment to elevating local voices and supporting grassroots initiatives.
This partnership reflects our core mission: helping dedicated community leaders turn their vision into action. Jessica Radley, founder of Juneteenth in Marshall, reflects, “I started Juneteenth in Marshall to bring people together, celebrate our culture, and create something positive for the community. I hope it continues to grow and inspire others in the community to be involved.”
Community Innovation Lab joins community members and local businesses that are investing in an event that celebrates heritage, builds connection, and strengthens Marshall County's cultural fabric. For more information or to support this vital community initiative, visit their Facebook page
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Manistee Stories
Our lab is leading a local storytelling project in Manistee, MI.
With a grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation in their 2025 Put Your Town on the Map pitch competition, we are building a digital storytelling project that captures what makes Manistee MI special to the people who live, work, and visit this amazing place.
Manistee Stories is community storytelling project that captures the memories, experiences, and perspectives of people who live in and care about the Manistee region. Through recorded stories, photos, and local history, the project preserves the voices of longtime residents and newcomers alike, creating a living archive of the people, places, and traditions that shape the community. The goal is to celebrate local identity while helping future generations understand the stories that define Manistee.
Read more about it here and stay tuned for our website launching in March 2026 and story collection in the summer.
Contact Us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!

