We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yulia Strokova. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yulia below.
Alright, Yulia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
I am a tenacious and passionate storytelling curator, content strategist, and publisher, with over 15 years of experience in journalism, corporate communications, and brand marketing. Being originally from Moscow, Russia, my Miami journey began six years ago when I got accepted to take the MBA program at Florida International University. Little did I know that this city would reconnect me with my roots and passion for writing and community. My first degree is journalism. It has offered me an inspiring and transformative journey to drive positive change in our communities through the power of storytelling.
Today, I am the founder and publisher of Impact.Edition, a nonprofit publication dedicated to sustainable development and collective impact. It not only spotlights local champions advancing climate and social justice in South Florida but also serves as a platform where narratives of change, innovation, and resilience are shared, inspiring readers to believe in the power of individual actions in shaping a better world.
What type of creative works and programs do you develop for your community?
Impact.Edition is built at the intersection where journalism meets art, storytelling, community, and social innovation.
The core print magazine focuses on a diverse range of themes, from environmental sustainability to social justice, each story meticulously curated to not only inform but also empower and inspire its audience for meaningful actions. The publication heavily features original art, photography, and voices of artists, scientists, youth changemakers who are using their creative power for good.
One of our signature programs is the transit storytelling exhibition, Who Is Miami: Storytelling for Change. It’s our passionately curated experience that showcases Miami through the visual and written stories of people who – whether by nature or by choice – are outside of our daily agendas and mainstream news. They all tirelessly, and often invisibly, work to make this city more sustainable, resilient, inclusive, and just. In 2023, “Who Is Miami” debuted at the Brightline Miami Station, and it also covered over 80 digital rotating bus stop panels located in different Miami neighborhoods. Overall impressions exceeded over 2.5M views for a month.
By bringing a wider variety of voices into the media dialogue, we strive to expand the public expression of the histories that have made us and the values we hold for a regenerative, resilient future.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Impact.Edition is an independent community media bringing together a diverse and vibrant community of local changemakers driving positive long-lasting change. All our editorials rely strongly on in-depth interviews with community champions advancing climate and social justice in South Florida and beyond.
Investing in well-researched, in-depth stories provides accurate context and multiple perspectives that help us drive this high-quality solution journalism project and distinguish it from other sources that might prioritize speed over depth.
The big part is our success is our readers. Engaging with our audience through storytelling exhibitions, live reading events or walk-the-talk gatherings, can help foster a trust and sense of connection.
Everything we do online and in print, is our open invitation to everyone: to honor, support, and learn from our climate and social innovators who are making our communities more sustainable, resilient and just.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
In the early months of 2020, just before the world was turned upside down by the pandemic, I was fortunate to meet Samantha Schalit, a remarkably talented storyteller and now my esteemed partner and editor-in-chief of our magazine.
Our paths crossed in the most modern of ways—through Instagram. Samantha, a Miami native with a passion for storytelling,
stumbled upon the Impact.Edition account while exploring social media. Drawn by the mission and vision of our magazine, she reached out to me, offering her expertise as a writer, strategist, and producer. Her goal was clear: to help connect our community to their own stories.
From our very first conversation, I was struck by Samantha’s dedication and belief that we should leave the world better than we found it. This philosophy was not just a guiding principle for her but a driving force behind her work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.impactedition.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impact.edition
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100049613454806
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impact-edition/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/impactedition
Image Credits
Photo Courtesy of Impact.Edition