As Jessica Jackson sees it, hope is an essential, tangible life tool. But for many in the African-American community, particularly youth who have experienced tragedy, violence and disparity, hope has given way to hopelessness. Jessica wants to
As a journalist, corporate PR manager and consultant, Syl Jones has spent his much of his career at the intersection of healthcare and communications. Merging that experience and his background as a playwright and producer of award-winning videos
Native Nations Rebuilders Program (cohort 6) - Lorna LaGue has spent most of her career where she was born and raised—the White Earth Reservation. She is currently leading the implementation of the White Earth Nation’s new constitution. In addition
Like most communities in Western North Dakota, Minot has seen a dramatic influx of residents due to increased oil production. At the same time, the community continues to recover from a massive flood that displaced more than 12,000 area residents
Native Nations Rebuilders Program (cohort 6) - Reid grew up in Pierre, South Dakota. In 2002, Reid graduated from the University of Minnesota-Morris and is a 2005 cum laude graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School. He is the 2001 Truman
Native Nations Rebuilders Program (cohort 6) - Blue Dawn was raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in the Payabya Community. She is a graduate of Red Cloud High School and Oglala Lakota College, earning a bachelor’s degree in social science
Native Nations Rebuilders Program (cohort 6) - Chelsey Luger is an advocate for Indigenous health and wellness. She is Ojibwe (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa) and Lakota (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe), and grew up in
Native Nations Rebuilders Program (cohort 6) - Ila is of the Cuthead and Ihanktowan/Sissitowan Dakota Bands. Her Dakota name is Hintunkansan Wastewin (Pretty Weasel Woman), a name that she carries forward from her great-grandmother. She is a
Native Nations Rebuilders Program (cohort 6) - Michelle lives in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, where she works as the program coordinator for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe’s Youth Diabetes Prevention Program. For the past four years, she has also
Native Nations Rebuilders Program (cohort 6) - Bill is a former tribal council member for his nation, serving from 2008 to 2012. He currently serves on the Grant Portage elder’s council and veterans memorial program. He is a retired federal treaty
Native Nations Rebuilders Program (cohort 6) - Vanessa has served as a police officer for the Fond du Lac Band for the past eight years. She also works part-time for Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College as a school resource officer. Vanessa has
Sherman Patterson wants to end the culture of gun violence in Minneapolis. An audacious goal, but few are better suited for the job than Sherman. A public safety policy aide for former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. A community liaison for Minneapolis
