Rod Adams is committed to building economic power for Black and brown communities. Growing up in Chicago, he saw how poverty and crime affected people differently based on their race and these early experiences shaped his awareness of systemic
Mari Avaloz wants to ensure Latine communities have access to the culturally specific support they need to navigate complex health care systems when dealing with cancer. Her experience as a primary caregiver to her sister, Maria, who died in 2019
Autumn Cavender (Upper Sioux Community) is revitalizing traditional birthing practices to support Indigenous community health. She draws on the wisdom she acquired from her Dakota culture to address the needs of the communities she serves. Autumn
Adrean Clark is breaking communication barriers as an American Sign Language-speaking (ASL) Deaf woman and forging her own path as an artist and writer. When she saw a scarcity of places for ASL Deaf creatives to publish their work, she co-founded a
Trahern Crews is a visionary leader whose work spans social justice, reparatory justice and community empowerment. As a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, he played a key role in propelling the global reckoning on race following George Floyd
Chef Lachelle Cunningham is a major force in the local food scene, driven by a passion for community restoration and connection through food. Every part of her work as a chef is designed to help others heal. She is the founder of Chelle’s Kitchen and
Roberto de la Riva is driving change within the housing sector. He is a first-generation Latino-American with a passion for social justice and equity, from his early days organizing at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to championing the rights
Frederick Edwards, Jr., has dedicated his life to building unity and belonging. Raised in north Minneapolis as the youngest of 10 children, he faced heartbreak early in life, losing loved ones to gun violence. He found support in community leaders
Michelle Goose (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) is working to revitalize Ojibwe language and culture to build confidence and connection for new generations and break the cycle of intergenerational trauma. As an Ojibwe mother and educator, Michelle has
Monica Hurtado is committed to building collective power to uplift marginalized communities and drive change. Originally from Colombia, Monica’s journey is marked by a passion for systems change and service. After immigrating to Minnesota in 2001
Arlene Krulish (Spirit Lake Nation) believes she has a calling to end drug addiction in tribal communities. Growing up on the Spirit Lake Reservation, she saw the inadequacies of the health care system and its harmful effects on Indigenous
Jouapag Lee wants to help Hmong people heal from intergenerational trauma and foster healthy family and community connections. Inspired by her upbringing as the oldest child of Hmong refugee parents, her work is focused on freeing her community from
