Diversity Rules Magazine

Diversity Rules Magazine|July 2021 | 21 my a-ha moment." The mission of Love Out Loud is to change the con- versa on people have with themselves. To help peo- ple see each other as opportuni es for kindness, not obstacles to move around. It is an idea born without fear, without doubt, with endless possibili es, from a woman who believes we can change the world one small act at a me through gi s familiar to all of us - kindness, community, and love. "We will do this by providing a mobile applica on experience that in- cludes one of the most current and effec ve forms of encouraging connec on and interac on globally. We are here to posi vely and significantly impact how people see themselves, those around them, and empower a nonprofit's ability to generate dona ons and visibility with ongoing engagement." Only from tragedy do true flames rise. What the valet hadn't known was the reason WHY Patz's suitcase was so large. "A year and a half earlier I had suffered brain damage. I went out for a run and a young man, who was distracted driving, hit me with his car. Two brain hematomas and a cracked skull. It has been a difficult and long recovery. The huge suit- case was because of my challenge with sleep. I take a large fluffy blanket with me everywhere! But again, he didn't know that, and it was actually nice to have someone make the giant suitcase situa on funny… because it was!" Brain injury was a life reset for Patz. She came out a different person. "I was s ll me on some levels, but with a drive I've never known before. With a purpose I had never realized before. I now understood how to get things done and keep going when things got tough. I went from hiding behind a desk, to speaking in front of groups of up to 500 people. Nothing stops me now. I was given the chance to be reborn at 41 years old. I took it and have been running with it ever since." This year, the goal of Love Out Loud is to partner with over 100 chari es na onwide and create a communi- ty of 24,000 people. Patz has had conversa ons with fes val organizers to bring her disrup ve community of goodness and infuse upcoming outdoor events this summer. At such a perfect me, too, as things are opening and people need a li le addi onal sup- port in re-learning how to interact with each other again! Love Out Loud will also be engaging the local and favorite chari es in the communi es for these events. The ripple just con nues. Love Out Loud creates an open source for everyone to find causes they want to give back to all in one place, virtually, an App Store for nonprofits. "O en when people donate, they immediately go to chari- es they are familiar with, out of convenience or even habit. Love Out Loud will provide visibility to LGBTQ chari es that may previously have been underserved or not on someone's radar." "We are big believers that love is love. As a gamified goodness app, we are finding our main audience is Gen Z and Millennials. They are the most diverse genera ons in American history and are consistent- ly pushing for inclusion and diversity in brands and companies. These genera ons will be the true he- roes for LGBTQ inclusion and community, and we are happy we can give these changemakers a pla orm that allows them to further their message." Each me someone posts their good deed in the Love Out Loud app, the company gives money to charity. The company then tallies all the charity totals at the end of each month and sends a check to the respec- ve organiza ons. "A ques on everyone seems to have is 'where does the money come from'. Fortu- nately, we aren't the only ones passionate about spreading the good." Love Out Loud is funded by people who want to see good go global, both indi- vidual and corporate par es. In fact, you can give on their website at any me, or reach out to Love Out Loud if you want to be a part of their mission: h p:// www.loveoutloud.app. LGBTQ chari es looking to be a part of Love Out Loud can email wewill@loveoutloud.app. Every charity represented will be confirmed through Benevity, a company that has ve ed over 2 million nonprofits worldwide. As Patz reflects on the past few years of her life, she recognizes the gi s she's been given. Four years prior to brain damage, she was diagnosed with an aggres- sive cancer, resistant to chemo, that only 3% of the popula on will get - triple nega ve breast cancer. "It was a great challenge and it set me up for the strength I would need to get through the months/ years a er brain damage. I am grateful for both. In fact, it's because of brain damage, ge ng hit by a car, that I'm able to do what I'm doing now." Iconic, indeed.

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