What separates real community work from something that only looks good online?

Ben Spellman, founder of Good Vibes Movement, joins Corey Dion Lewis for a conversation about service, consistency, trust, forgiveness, and the relationships that hold communities together. Ben explains why community work does not need to be complicated, how small movements can create lasting change, and why the work must continue even when nobody is watching.

Ben Spellman believes community work begins with a simple choice: show up for people consistently.

In this episode of Move the City FWD, Ben joins Corey Dion Lewis to discuss the experiences that shaped his approach to service and the work of Good Vibes Movement in Des Moines.

Their conversation examines the difference between operating a business in a community and actively serving that community. Ben shares why accessibility matters, how donation-based programming brings people from different backgrounds into the same space, and why small, sustainable movements can outlast organizations built around rapid growth.

Corey and Ben also discuss social media, the public representation of Black men, rebuilding trust across neighborhoods, and the role forgiveness plays in community collaboration.

In this episode:

• Why community outreach is really about people helping people
• How consistency creates trust
• The difference between community service and community marketing
• Why accessible spaces help people cross social and economic boundaries
• How small movements create lasting change
• Whether you would continue serving without social media
• Why forgiveness affects a community’s ability to work together
• Changing the stories people see about Black men
• Turning difficult experiences into something that helps others

Episode highlights:

00:00 — Meeting Ben Spellman
01:29 — How Ben’s upbringing shaped his service
05:22 — Why consistency changes communities
08:15 — Rebuilding connection after communities become dispersed
12:24 — Identifying what you can offer others
13:02 — Community versus business
16:36 — Why Ben believes in small movements
18:48 — Freedom, time, and the lessons Ben learned in prison
20:33 — Creating community without financial barriers
24:04 — Would you still serve without social media?
27:16 — Using positive stories to challenge stereotypes
30:19 — Why forgiveness matters
34:25 — Protecting your energy and removing distractions
37:41 — How difficult experiences shape service
42:26 — Closing reflections

Learn more about Good Vibes Movement:
https://goodvibesmovement.org

Learn more about My City My Health:
https://mycity.health

Move the City FWD is powered by My City My Health.