Starbucks has created its own original content series. It is called Upstanders and it includes both videos and podcasts episodes. The purpose of the Upstanders series is to help inspire us to be better citizens.

Upstanders is a collection of short stories, produced either in film, written word, or podcast episodes, that share the experiences of ordinary people doing extraordinary things to create positive change in their communities. Starbucks calls this group of people “Upstanders”.

There are a total of 10 episodes in the series. The series is written and produced by Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz along with Rajiv Chandrasekaran, Starbucks executive producer and a former senior editor of “The Washington Post”.

In addition, there is a social campaign that is being powered by Fotition. You can post a photo of yourself and join a movement of people determined to make positive change together. Stand up and become an Upstander. Your “Fote” is your pledge to stand up in support of others regardless of their race, their religion, the color of their skin, their gender, their sexual orientation, or their political beliefs.

Four episodes of Upstanders have been released on iTunes (so far).

“The Mosque Across the Street” asks the question: What happens when a mosque moves across the street from a church in the Bible Belt?” Pastor Steve Stone learns that a mosque will be built across the street from his church. He found a way to welcome the community of people who would be at the mosque.

“Scholarships for Every Student” tells the story of residents of Baldwin, Michigan, who banded together to raise enough money to provide every high school student with a college scholarship.

“Homes for Everyone” tells the story of a unique solution Utah came up with to reduce the chronic homeless population by 91%.

“The Empathic Police Academy” is about Susan Rahr’s efforts to transform the way police officers are trained in Washington state. She wants them to become guardians of the community.