Minneapolis, Minnesota – August 19, 2021// The second season of the successful web docuseries INVOLVD airs August 19, 2021 on https://www.youtube.com/involvd. INVOLVD is produced by ADX Labs Inc. and focuses on members of the community positively affecting their neighborhoods.
Every day, ordinary people bring about extraordinary positivity within their communities. INVOLVD tells those stories.
Season 2 of INVOLVD is scheduled to run throughout the rest of 2021, with new episodes airing every other Thursday.
The new season premieres August 19th, with Episode 1 profiling Vikas Narula. Narula is a South Minnesota resident who created Neighborhood Forest. Narula’s goal is to make it possible for every child in America to plant a tree.
On Earth Day in 2021, Neighborhood Forest teamed up with over 400 schools, libraries and community groups to give trees to over 18,000 kids. “It benefits everyone to give kids the priceless opportunity to plant and watch trees grow,” said Narula, “to me it is the most beautiful example of hope, progress and possibility.”
INVOLVD’s production team started filming the series after the lockdowns and protests in 2020. The goal was to inspire viewers by shining a light of positivity, connection and change to build a more just, engaged and unified society.
Narula sees the way trees bring people together even in these increasingly polarizing times.
“We’re giving trees to people in blue states, red states, rural and urban regions, people from every religious, ethnic and racial background,” said Narula, “maybe if we focus on trees, the environment and the wonderful things that bring us together, maybe we can work to set aside our differences and get along as one human family.”
Narula’s story is just the first in a lineup of inspirational episodes INVOLVD has planned for Season 2:
New City
New City School is a tuition-free Kindergarten to 8th grade public charter school which aims to engage students to build knowledge, ask meaningful questions, design creative solutions, and become skilled, responsive citizens in the world. With a community focused mindset, New City strives to grow citizen competencies, including critical thinking, empathy, and voice.
Learn more about New City: https://newcitycharterschool.org/
Pat & Marti
Pat and Marti are puppy raisers for Can Do Canines, an organization that provides trained assistance dogs to clients with mobility challenges, hearing loss or deafness, seizure disorders, diabetes, and children with autism. Pat and Marti began their journey with Can Do Canines in 2020 raising an 8-week-old Labrador named Logan and have been preparing him for life as an assistance dog.
Learn more about Can Do Canines: https://candocanines.org/
Tri Vo
Tri Vo is a self-described “Jungle Punk”. He/She/They hope to use the punk ethos to make a difference through various forms of art, including puppetry, podcasting, IMPROV, and music. Tri hopes to see other BIPOC artists get comfortable outside of their mediums and challenge their own beliefs of what they are capable of the same way that she has while pursuing puppetry this summer with Open Eye Theatre.
Season 1 of INVOLVD premiered in February of 2021 with four episodes.
Season 1 Episode 1: Chris Axelson
Chris Axelson is an art director, veteran of the Air National Guard, bike enthusiast and father. His life experiences led him to a unique lens during his involvement in the Minneapolis protests following the murder of George Floyd in May of 2020. Shortly after his participation in the protests, Axelson returned home and designed a take on the 1778 Gadsden Flag which went viral and included the words “Don’t Kneel On Me.”
Season 1 Episode 2: Witt Siasoco
Witt Siasoco is a community-based artist, activist and educator. His involvement in art and skateboarding has allowed him a unique chance to merge the two and become a key member of the team at City of Skate.
Season 1 Episode 3: Xee Reiter
Xee Reiter is a visual artist specializing in watercolor and pen and ink illustration. As a first-generation Hmong American, cultural influences are found throughout her works. Finding her voice and her place in the world through artistic expression has led her to creating mural art, book illustrations, and TV graphics. Hear how her art, culture, and identity have become one.
Season 1 Episode 4: Cool Meets Cause
Cool Meets Cause breaks down cost barriers that prevent underprivileged youth in the Twin Cities from trying snowboarding. Providing gear, instructors, time and space to the youth of North Minneapolis, Cool Meets Cause hopes participants get to enjoy not only the sport, but the long-term positive impact of the connections and skills they gain while in the program.
As the series develops, INVOLVD plans to expand the stories beyond Minneapolis. The series is accepting nominations from people who want to recognize the leaders in their community. If you would like to submit someone to be nominated email iam.involvd@gmail.com.
About ADX Labs, Inc.
ADX Labs, Inc. (ADX) is a technology company focused on providing a range of innovative products and services for individuals, home-based businesses, and the small to medium enterprise market. It is the core company in a global group of technology, entertainment and services brands and businesses. ADX independently funds the ADX Foundation, a registered non-profit philanthropic organization which has invested in children, communities, and social justice since 2013. Learn more at http://adxlabs.com
