Farhia Budul embraced her culture, community, and faith to achieve recovery. Her experience led her to develop culturally specific recovery support for her fellow East Africans in Minnesota. As one of the first Somali women in Minnesota to openly
Willette Capers was told as a child that she was born to move mountains. That vision stayed with her and inspired her to pursue a career focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. As assistant vice provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion at
Katherine (Katie) Dachtler is on a mission to build a more inclusive community in the Grand Forks area. A Korean adoptee in the predominantly white Upper Midwest, she understands first-hand what it is like to be considered an outsider, yet she also
Abdirizak Diis believes in the power of education to change lives. Born in a refugee camp in Somalia, then evacuated to Kenya when he was young, he faced daunting challenges to complete his primary, secondary, and post-secondary education. He
Owen Duckworth believes relationships are at the heart of change. A consensus builder, organizer, and artist, he seeks to eliminate the entrenched housing and wealth inequities in the region. From his leadership work with The Alliance and Equity in
Emilia Gonzalez Avalos is intent on closing economic, health and leadership gaps for Latinas in Minnesota. She sees immense opportunity to catalyze long-lasting change by leveraging the collectivism and capacity for self-determination of Latina
Nadine Graves knows that transformation happens when we listen to and learn from people’s lived experiences. Her own trauma-filled youth led to a criminal record at a young age, but after a rehabilitative process, she earned a bachelor’s degree in
Omar Guevara Soto imagines a community where food is readily available to every family at home and in school. A leader in culinary services in Minneapolis Public Schools, he has helped mobilize a revolution in school food over the past decade. He is
Janssen Hang has a vision for a national network of Hmong farming businesses that builds intergenerational and community wealth. As executive director of the Hmong American Farmers Association, he has led efforts to increase the earnings of farmers
Leslie Harper (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) is determined to help Tribal communities create their own futures. Raised by parents who deeply instilled the values of sovereignty and self-determination, she believes that priorities and decisions must be
Henry Jiménez is the proud son of immigrants who worked hard but faced systemic barriers to economic opportunity. As a child, he often was thrust into the role of negotiator and advocate for his Spanish-speaking parents. He learned early about the
Hillary Kempenich (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa) is an Anishinaabe artist, storyteller, and knowledge keeper who facilitates healing and opportunity through the arts. She is an agent of change with a passion for making places such as libraries
