Telling the stories that haven't been told This issue of Elevate marks our one-year anniversary. It seems like only yesterday we were asking ourselves: can we launch a magazine in the middle of a pandemic? Really? No, really, can we? I’m still not sure we have an answer. But, against our better judgment—against any judgment, really—we dove into the deep end of a shallow pool, which is something your mother told you never to do. Our mission with this magazine, just like the mission of Elevate Rapid City: try to Elevate the region for everyone. So, we started telling stories. And putting stories on the cover that weren’t being told. We wanted to show the diversity and people that make Rapid City more than you see in the tourist brochures. Are we Mount Rushmore, The Badlands, and Custer State Park? Sure. But we’re also tap houses, native arts, co-ops, hipster barber shops, and barbeque—and these are just some of the stories we’ve told in the past year. This issue continues that tradition. You’ll meet local muralist Aaron Pearcy, whose work you’ve no doubt seen in downtown Rapid City. You’ll read how the Suzie Cappa Art Center has weathered the pandemic. And you’ll learn how zero-waste and art are able to go hand-in-hand. Finally, you’ll see the world through the eyes of a young local photographer who has mastered the art of staying in the present moment at the young age of 17. If only we’d all been so lucky at that age. What’s coming in the next twelve issues? We’ll let you know when we get there. We’re staying present and we’re taking the time to savor this one-year anniversary issue and we hope you do as well. Stay safe and God-speed.
6 ELEVATE • APRIL 2021
Tom Johnson
President & CEO, Elevate Rapid City
Tom Johnson, President & CEO Dana Borowski, Finance & Operations Director Matt Brunner, Economic Development Director Shiloh Francis, Marketing & Communications Director Anna Hays, Public Policy Director Brandis Knudsen, Small Business Development & Investor Relations Director Mitch Nachtigall, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Director Rachel Day, Events & Training Manager Andy Greenman, Creative Services Manager Liz Highland, HR Coordinator/Office Manager Becky Knox, Executive Assistant Debbie Leber, Finance Manager & Investor Coordinator Samantha McGrath, Workforce Development & Talent Attraction Manager Loni Reichert, Data Analyst & Program Support Coordinator Design and layout: Andy Greenman Published by the Rapid City Journal Bill Masterson, Publisher, bill.masterson@bhmginc.com Advertising: Eddie Hebron, ehebron@amplifieddigitalagency.com, 605.394.8354 Printed by Simpsons Printing Elevate is a monthly publication produced by Elevate Rapid City. It is the premier business magazine for the Black Hills region telling the stories that make our area unique and vibrant. PO Box 747, Rapid City, SD 57709 605.343.1744 // elevaterapidcity.com
On the cover Aaron Pearcy, better known as AMP, stands in front of his fantasy forest mural in Summerset. Photo by Andy Greenman
