Richard Pallay III

Social entrepreneur | Arts-based organizer | Community builder

A DJ, father and founder of the cultural initiative WEAREONE, Richard Pallay III curates inclusive spaces that center Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) joy, artistic expression and grassroots mentorship. As a TEDx Bismarck speaker, he has shared ideas on empowerment and community building, and his ability to build authentic connections are central to his leadership and community impact. 

Through WEAREONE, he has organized events that celebrate diversity and bring rural residents together through art and music. He also created Soul Dads, an informal group of Black fathers who exemplify Black fatherhood as an art form and a means of mentorship and community support. 

With the Bush Fellowship, Richard will deepen his business, artistic and community leadership skills to launch a statewide artist network, scale his peer support model and build a legacy of healing-centered innovation that uplifts marginalized voices across North Dakota and beyond.

What change are you trying to create?

I want to advance economic justice and collective healing through creative entrepreneurship, cultural connection and peer-led support. In North Dakota, only about 6% of businesses are BIPOC-owned. That needs to change. My vision includes launching a statewide artist network in partnership with the North Dakota Council on the Arts to support collaboration, representation and economic mobility for creatives of color. I also want to expand Soul Dads into a replicable model, sharing our insights and inspiring others to form similar support groups. 

How will the Bush Fellowship fuel your leadership journey?

I want to deepen my business acumen and expand my leadership skills. Workshops and mentorship programs focusing on scaling social enterprises, youth development and arts-based community building are vital to this growth. Strengthening my network with arts, education and economic development leaders will allow me to bring new resources and opportunities to North Dakota. By collaborating with other Fellows and learning from their diverse approaches to community change, I can broaden my perspective and refine my strategies for overcoming systemic barriers.