You may recognize Aloe Blacc as the genre-defying singer-songwriter behind global hits like “Wake Me Up” and “I Need a Dollar.” Through his work, Blacc has often leveraged music to drive social change on issues he cares about.

What you may not know is that Blacc is a longtime partner with Stand Together. His passion for criminal justice reform led him to the Stand Together community, where groups collaborate to drive meaningful change. Since then, he has continued to partner closely with other nonprofit organizations in the community that are making positive strides on social issues he deeply cares about.

His newest album, “Stand Together,” is inspired by the nonprofit organizations Blacc has met over the years. With every track, he blends his soulful voice and powerful storytelling into a compelling call to action for each of us.

The album, released today, is a testament to music’s ability to bring people together and inspire action. Every song is a celebration of an organization or social movement helping to remove the barriers preventing people from realizing their potential. The album showcases the thoughtfulness with which Blacc approaches his work and his deep commitment to using music as a force for social change.

Here are five songs from Blacc’s upcoming album, each inspired by Stand Together partners dedicated to building a society where every person is valued and empowered to thrive. 

‘My World’: Stepping into the world of justice-involved youth

“My World” is a reflective song inspired by Café Momentum’s work with justice-involved youth. 

The anthem encourages empathy and unity, urging listeners to walk in each other’s shoes and find common ground. This message mirrors Café Momentum’s mission to break the cycle of recidivism for justice-involved youth. A five-star restaurant that exclusively hires young people transitioning out of the criminal justice system, Café Momentum is reshaping the vision for juvenile justice — one young person at a time.

The youth gain more than just restaurant experience. As part of a 12-month internship, they develop essential social and life skills that prepare them for success in any profession. These include opportunities like financial literacy courses, parenting classes, and educational support. 

Interns also gain a sense of community. They’re encouraged to share their stories and perspectives with guests. As part of his research for “My World,” Blacc visited the restaurant to meet these remarkable youth and witness their potential firsthand.

“This is what happens when a community comes together, when a community sees a young person for who they are, not choices they’ve made or situations they’ve been in, and sees them for their potential and provides the resources and support to allow them to dream,” said award-winning chef Chad Houser, founder and CEO of Café Momentum and the Momentum Advisory Collective. 

With locations in Dallas and Pittsburgh, an upcoming opening in Atlanta, and plans to expand to more cities nationwide, the restaurant is changing the way society supports youth in the justice system. Nearly 89% of participants graduate high school, earn their GED, or are still enrolled in school.

‘Don’t Go Alone’ encourages us to go further together

“Don’t Go Alone” is an energizing, genre-blending song inspired by the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This message of community and connection aligns closely with The Phoenix, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals on their recovery journey from addiction. 

Just as the song emphasizes the power of relationships, The Phoenix is a gathering place for people recovering from substance use — empowering them to bolster each other along the way. It’s a supportive, sober-active community where participants build meaningful connections and work toward lasting sobriety through fitness and personal growth. 

This holistic, community-based approach has proven effective, with 87% of participants remaining sober after three months and a relapse rate half that of the best treatment centers — 17% compared to 40-60%.

“Coming to a Phoenix event or going for a run with somebody who has a similar background to me and similar lived experience, we fist bump at the end of that run,” said Scott Strode, founder of The Phoenix. “In those friendships and that connection, I find a space where I can be vulnerable and share about stuff that’s hard for me. We heal in those moments.”

‘Breakthrough’ redefines what justice looks like 

“Breakthrough” is an empowering anthem of resilience and transformation, inspired by the work of antirecidivism organizations that help formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives — like Breakthrough Alliance of Colorado. 

The lyrics reflect the universal journey of acknowledging past mistakes, committing to personal growth, and uplifting others along the way.

Breakthrough Alliance of Colorado brings this message to life by treating justice-impacted individuals as capable of transformation and deserving of second chances. The organization believes that everyone, regardless of their history, has the potential to contribute to society — and that true justice involves empowering people with the tools, support, and opportunities to rebuild their lives.

The nonprofit provides in-prison education focused on character development, career readiness, and entrepreneurship to ensure individuals gain the necessary skills and support for successful re-entry. The holistic model extends beyond prison walls, offering lifelong support that helps participants access critical resources such as housing, mental health care, and employment opportunities. 

The impact is clear: Breakthrough’s participants see low recidivism rates between 0% and 13%, depending on their level of engagement with the nonprofit’s programs.

“Music has the power to tell stories that often go unheard. Being featured in Aloe Blacc’s album is more than just recognition — it’s an opportunity to amplify the voices of those who are rewriting their futures,” said Stacey Putka, executive director of Breakthrough. “At Breakthrough, we believe in the power of second chances, in the strength of transformation, and in the collective impact of a community that believes in potential over the past. This moment is a testament to the resilience of those we serve and the power of art to inspire change.”

‘Grow Together’ is about growing a strong, resilient community from the soil up

“Grow Together” celebrates the transformative power of community-driven change. It is inspired by organizations like Bonton Farms, an urban farm in South Dallas that tackles food insecurity and health disparities by providing fresh, nutritious food where none existed before. 

Using the imagery of planting seeds and pulling weeds, the song’s lyrics reflect the work of nurturing relationships — whether in our personal lives or within a community.

Bonton Farms demonstrates the power of this approach through the transformation of Bonton — a historically underserved neighborhood where access to fresh food has long been a daily challenge, since the nearest grocery store is a three-hour bus ride away and there’s a shortage of personal transportation. As the nation’s largest urban farm, it creates jobs, grows fresh produce, and develops innovative solutions to bring groceries directly to the community.

But lasting change requires more than just food — it requires trust. Decades of broken promises have made many residents skeptical of outside help. That’s why Bonton Farms focuses on relationship building, ensuring community members play leading roles in shaping its future. As Gabe Madison, president of Bonton Farms, puts it, “One of our primary goals in fighting systems of inequity is relationship building with people in our community.”

Just as “Grow Together” reminds us that growth happens when we invest in one another, Bonton Farms shows how communities can flourish when given the resources and respect they deserve.

From feedback to impact: The power of listening to drive social change

Blacc’s remake of Marvin Gaye’s 1971 hit “What’s Going On?” breathes new life into the timeless call for unity and social awareness. This modern interpretation calls to mind organizations like Charity Navigator, a Stand Together partner that echoes this sentiment. 

The song is a catalyst for public discourse in the same way Charity Navigator encourages feedback and deep listening to the people most affected by an organization’s work.

“One of the most reliable ways to determine a charity’s effectiveness is by asking if its beneficiaries feel the impact,” said Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator.

Stand Together Foundation is collaborating with Charity Navigator to spotlight nonprofits committed to gathering and incorporating customer feedback. It’s part of a broader effort to understand and improve nonprofit effectiveness via “Customer First Measurement,” which goes beyond customer satisfaction to evaluate how well organizations empower and respect those they serve. 

This commitment to continuous improvement ensures that charitable work remains both impactful and responsive to the needs of the community — amplifying the voices of those closest to the issues and adapting programs to meet community needs. 

Through this album, Blacc is using his influence to spark conversations and inspire action, creating a bridge between music, philanthropy, and social impact. It’s not just a collection of songs — it’s a movement. 

Each of the 12 tracks highlights important causes, giving fans the opportunity to connect with organizations driving real change. The title track, “Stand Together,” encapsulates these messages, focusing on cooperation, civil discourse, and meaningful engagement. As the lyrics express, “We can change this world forever if we all just stand together, put our differences aside, swallow all that foolish pride.”

Blacc’s anthem encourages us to not get caught up in divisiveness, but rather to focus on opportunities to unite across differences to accomplish big things. Or, as we say at Stand Together, recognize that in this country we are stronger because of our differences, not in spite of them. 

Whether you’re discovering new ways to get involved or simply enjoying the music, “Stand Together” invites everyone to be a part of something bigger. 

The album is streaming on all major platforms.

Aloe Blacc partners with Stand Together Music, Sports & Entertainment, which unites musicians and their teams with proven changemakers to co-create solutions, starting with criminal justice, addiction recovery, education, free speech and peace, and ending the war on drugs. 

Learn more about Stand Together’s top issue areas and explore ways you can partner with us.