Naja Thomas, Author at Uptown 11 Studios

Giving Child Care Providers Their Flowers

Naja Thomas May 11, 2026 1 Comment

On International Women’s Day, Children First Collective turned its focus to a group whose impact is profound yet often overlooked: child care providers. These women are the backbone of working…

San Diegans Rally at City Hall to Defend Youth Services

Naja Thomas April 22, 2026 2 Comments

Community leaders, youth organizers, and advocates gathered outside San Diego City Hall on Monday with a clear message: San Diego’s budget should invest in young people, not scale back the…

A Legacy of Curiosity: The Story Behind La Jolla Country Day School

Naja Thomas April 16, 2026 2 Comments

Before La Jolla was what it is today, it was a quiet seaside village, home to just a few thousand residents and a growing sense of possibility. In the 1920s,…

Hundreds of Girl Scouts Take on the Incredible Race at Balboa Park

Naja Thomas April 13, 2026 2 Comments

In late March, Balboa Park became a course of curiosity, teamwork, and discovery as hundreds of Girl Scouts gathered for the annual Incredible Race. From early morning, teams spread out…

Alive in Memory: Día de Muertos in Barrio Logan

Naja Thomas November 7, 2025 24 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 34 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 22 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…

How the Uptown 11 team develops stories: Part 2

Naja Thomas September 10, 2025 32 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…

How the Uptown 11 team develops stories

Naja Thomas September 9, 2025 27 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 26 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…

Author: Naja Thomas