AUSTIN, TX – March 6, 2025 – If there’s one city that understands the power of a gathering, it’s Austin. Home to SXSW and a thriving ecosystem of artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, this city has long been a breeding ground for movements that reshape industries. But something different happened last night at CUBA512, a vibrant Latin-inspired venue that pulsed with the energy of possibility.
It was the inaugural edition of Purple Jam, a bold new campaign blending thought leadership with the intimacy of community-building—an ambitious attempt to connect rising leaders across disciplines, industries, and causes. The room was buzzing, not just with conversation, but with the sense that something bigger than a single event had begun.
A New Blueprint for Social Impact
Purple Jam, the brainchild of Twelvenets, a social impact firm committed to amplifying transformative ideas, is not just another networking event. It is designed to bridge the gap between conversation and action, between isolated efforts and collective movements.
Similar initiatives in history—such as the Aspen Ideas Festival, the Clinton Global Initiative, and TEDx—have proven that when the right minds meet, entire sectors shift. Purple Jam is positioning itself in that lineage, creating a space where leaders don’t just exchange business cards, but rewrite the rules of engagement.
Engaging in Meaningful Dialogue
The evening featured three insightful panels, each unpacking some of today’s most significant societal questions and exploring them through a lens of innovation and possibility.
Tech Integration in 2025: The Innovation Dilemma – Liberty Madison (Founder, Liberty Madison) and Dr. Richard Otto (COO, Playcology) explored the balance between rapid technological advancement and equitable access. From AI in education to blockchain in social enterprise, the discussion highlighted how innovation can be used as a tool for inclusion and empowerment across communities.
Education for All: Bridging the Access Gap – With education widely recognized as a key driver of opportunity, Dr. Darryl Williams (SVP, Franklin’s Institute of Technology) and Michela Laverty (CEO, OLY ABLE) discussed the tangible economic and social benefits of increased educational access. Their conversation emphasized education not just as a moral imperative, but as a strategic investment in our collective future.
The Role of PR in Community Impact – Tuky Ibarra (Owner, CUBA512) and Emmanuel Nyame (CEO, Twelvenets) explored how public relations can be a powerful catalyst for positive change at the local level. The discussion examined how authentic storytelling, culturally aware messaging, and strategic communications can help organizations build stronger connections with their communities. Rather than focusing solely on visibility, the panel emphasized PR as a tool for building trust, fostering inclusion, and amplifying impact-driven work.
More Than a Conversation – A Movement in the Making
There was something about the way people lingered long after the last panel ended, exchanging ideas as though the night were just beginning. The crowd—ranging from startup founders to activists, from tech visionaries to artists—felt more like an incubator than an audience.
“We don’t just want to talk. We want to ignite action,” said Emmanuel Nyame, the force behind Twelvenets. “Movements are born in rooms like this. And tonight was just the beginning.”
He’s right. The world has seen this before—small gatherings that spark big ideas, ventures, and cultural shifts. From the salons of the Renaissance to early tech meetups in Silicon Valley garages, history is often shaped in rooms where creativity meets urgency.
What’s Next for Purple Jam?
If you weren’t there, you missed more than just a night of powerful dialogue—you missed the opening notes of something that could change the way we think about collaboration and social impact. But the good news? This was just the first in a series of events that will continue to explore how rising leaders can drive economic growth, equity, and lasting change.
The next Purple Jam is already in the works, and if last night was any indication, you’ll want to be in the room when it happens. Because history doesn’t wait, and neither does progress.
For updates on the next edition of Purple Jam, visit mypurplejam.com or @mypurplejam on all social media handles.
