Naja Thomas, Author at Uptown 11 Studios

Scenes from Día de Muertos en Barrio Logan presented by San Diego Foundation

Alive in Memory: Día de Muertos in Barrio Logan

Naja Thomas November 7, 2025 11 Comments

A Celebration Rooted in Community In Barrio Logan, Día de Muertos is more than a celebration; it’s a homecoming. Each year, the neighborhood transforms into a living altar, where color,…

Defying Gravity with Girl Scouts San Diego

Naja Thomas October 22, 2025 16 Comments

Some of the most powerful stories start with a deep breath, the kind you take before stepping off solid ground. When we learned that the them of Girl Scouts San…

At the San Diego Fundraising Conference, the Stories Come to Us

Naja Thomas September 23, 2025 11 Comments

Last week, we made a bunch of new friends while sharing Uptown 11’s story as an exhibitor at the San Diego Fundraising Conference. As one of the region’s leading gatherings…

Megan Moore with her kids at the We Choose Care event

How the Uptown 11 team develops stories: Part 2

Naja Thomas September 10, 2025 16 Comments

One of the voices shaping Uptown 11’s storytelling is Megan Moore, a storyteller who brings empathy, curiosity, and lived experience into her work. Through her collaboration with the Children First…

A look inside Uptown 11 Studios new headquarters

How the Uptown 11 team develops stories

Naja Thomas September 9, 2025 15 Comments

We believe the best stories don’t just appear – they’re built with care, curiosity and connection. Behind every piece we publish is a process that blends research, interviews and reflection…

Share your story with us at the San Diego Fundraising Conference 2025

Naja Thomas August 27, 2025 14 Comments

Join Us at the San Diego Fundraising Conference, Presented by PNC Bank Nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and changemakers will gather at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront on Thursday, September 18 and…

From Storytelling to Street Fair: Celebrating Adams Avenue

Naja Thomas August 20, 2025 22 Comments

At Uptown 11, Adams Avenue isn’t just where we started – it’s where we continue to grow alongside a community that inspires us every single day. That’s why the Adams…

Images from the Gold Award Girl Scout Ceremony at the The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center

Earning the Gold: San Diego Girl Scouts Lead with Vision and Impact

Naja Thomas August 14, 2025 17 Comments

The Gold Award isn’t handed out – it’s earned. It’s the highest honor a Girl Scout can achieve, and it represents more than a single project. It’s the culmination of…

Congressman Scott Peters visits the Dan McKinney Family YMCA to meet with staff, as well as child care advocates and local economic experts

Child Care is a Public Good: Updates from the Children First Collective

Naja Thomas August 8, 2025 14 Comments

As kids across San Diego head back to school, we’re reflecting on the critical work we’ve been supporting this summer with the Children First Collective, a community-led movement focused on…

Empowering Student Voices: Behind the Mesa Impactship Video

Naja Thomas August 5, 2025 18 Comments

We recently partnered with Mesa College to document their Impactship Program – an innovative, people-first approach to paid work experience for students. At its core, the program helps break down…

Author: Naja Thomas