2017 Champions

As the founder of Yellowbrick Street Team, lead fellow of League of Creative Interventionists – Wichita, and Director of Special Projects for Downtown Wichita, Alex Pemberton works to increase engagement through urban design interventions and creative placemaking. With the brain of a businessman and the heart of an artist, Alex finds fulfillment in connecting communities…

Since moving to Tallahassee to study philosophy in 2011, Jacqueline has fallen in love with the city and established herself as a passionate community builder. Her experience, including serving as an appointed commissioner on the Leon County/Tallahassee Commission on the Status of Women & Girls and as a graduate student in public administration, have sharpened…

Spud called State College home for 12 years after moving here as a student and instantly feeling a connection to this place. It was the perfect combination of big city talent, small town trust, and connection to nature. After graduating, he launched New Leaf Initiative, a community innovation center for the community which gave him…

Deidra is a mother of two who lives, works, and bikes in Manatee County (Bradenton, FL). She works for the local government and enjoy using alternative ways of transportation any chance she can. On any given weekend, she and her children would be engaging in some type of outdoor activity such as walking, going to…

Raised by a single mother in the projects, Josh fought hard to overcome significant adversities throughout his childhood. Josh walked-on to the University of Kentucky Track and Field Team and eventually earned a full scholarship while receiving several honors such as the UK Sullivan Medallion Award. After earning a master’s degree in social work, Josh…

Tyrell is an avid, green urbanism volunteer in his community, a husband, and a father to a 8 year old little boy. He is also president and founder of Decay Devils, Incorporated, a 2-year-old 501(c)3 non-profit (13 member) organization. Its mission is to educate the general public about the historical and social importance of abandoned…

Raised a San Jose native, Amy began her career as a public servant at the City of San Jose. While pursuing her B.A. at UC Santa Cruz and MSc at Brunel University London, and working throughout in cities like Seattle, Spokane, and San Francisco, Amy explored major cities and brought home an altered perspective with…

Erika is a queer immigrant, artist, and community organizer for immigrant rights in Philadelphia. After emigrating from Mexico at a young age, Erika remained undocumented until receiving her green card in 2013. As a result, Erika’s visual art pays homage to her culture and upbringing while simultaneously serving as a tool for social change. As…

Michael grew up in Pittsburgh and lived in Philly for 16 years. He has an ecumenical professional background. He has over fifteen years of experience in the music industry as a DJ, producer, executive and promoter – having performed hundreds of shows worldwide and planned over a hundred live music events in Philly. He has…

Michael is passionate about integrating the arts, public health, and trauma informed care to advocate for youth rights and social change in underserved communities. Much of his work has centered around amplifying the voices of marginalized populations, including youth and families experiencing homelessness and migrant farm-workers. Michael is currently the Senior Manager of Youth Programs…

LaTierra Piphus is a Professional Womanist and Community Organizer specializing in affinity groups for Black Queer & Trans folks, Black Womyn & Femmes. A Midwest native, LaTierra graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside with her Bachelors of Arts in Communication, minor in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies, and acquired certificates in Community Based-Learning and Media…

Suze Guillaume completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications at the University of Florida and her Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership at Nova Southeastern University. Suze has made it her passion and goal to redefine what it truly means to “Believe in the Impossible.” As a successful social entrepreneur and author, she…

Danielle is an arts administrator and grant writer in Miami, FL. For the past 4 years, she has co-run an alternative art space that specializes in experimental, nomadic programming that specifically highlights South Florida’s unique landscapes and people. Danielle is passionate about public programming, plants, nutrition and most importantly, about Miami. More recently she has…

Eric is originally from Nashville, TN, but he made Macon his home in 2014 when he became the Executive Director of Centenary Community Ministries, Inc. (CCMI). He is a minister on staff at Centenary United Methodist Church, the faith community out which CCMI was birthed in 2009. In his spare time, he loves walking, biking,…

Born and raised in Macon, GA, Morgan has called Macon home for 20 plus years. Professionally, Morgan is an Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Professional, and an innovator who constantly thinks outside the box. Upon graduating Mercer University in 2010, she started her professional career at Emory University and is now the Safety Analyst for…

Rachel is the director of Green Living Science (GLS), which is a Detroit nonprofit organization that provides recycling/environmental education. In guiding the development of GLS Rachel has leveraged local technical and creative experts to develop a hands-on and engaging problem-solving based curriculum. Rachel lives and works in Detroit because she chooses to be part of…

Kayana Sessoms is passionate about creating opportunities for Detroit youth. She has 15 years facilitating developmental programs for people of all ages. As the Program Director at Osborn Neighborhood Alliance, she organized the 2015 – 2016 “For the Love of Osborn” Neighborhood Parade in Detroit, MI. In addition, she co-founded Action by Presence, an organization…

Lorna Allen, a native of North Carolina, moved to Charlotte from Chicago in 2014 and has been largely engaged in the Charlotte community since. A resident of the Belmont Community, located just north of Center City, Lorna serves on the Belmont Community Association Board as a Member At-Large and Co-chair of the Land Use Committee.…

Omar is an artist, with an interest in graffiti, DJng, poetry and music production. He works in education at the local community college and loves to work with younger people to assist them with expressing themselves in a productive way. He also loves helping people make sense of their life through various outlets including art…

Kaley is a 6th generation born and raised Akronite currently living in Downtown Akron. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Walsh University and she works at her family’s business, Buckeye Reserve Title Agency, as well as her own small business called Urban Buzz Beeswax Candles. She is extremely active in the community and…