2019 Champions

Lyn Kim holds a Bachelor of Health Science from the University of Florida and a M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. She worked in local government in St. Louis City and Charlotte before her most recent position at a medical device startup. Her need to create inclusive environments that encourages participation…

Spencer Sommers is a designer at CO-OP Architecture in Aberdeen, SD. In his spare time, he volunteers on several downtown boards and has previously spent time teaching and participating in design reviews at the South Dakota State University Department of Architecture.

Engaging with a diverse range of clients including residents, stakeholders, non-profit organizations, and local officials, Briana Mason has been working to improve the quality of life for Detroiters. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Howard University and a Master Degree in Urban Planning from Eastern Michigan University. She currently serves as a…

I am a hard working single mother of three, looking to improve the community I am raising my children in. I am the founder of Youth 2 Adults, a nonprofit youth organization working with at risk children in Akron. I am a resident of the Kenmore neighborhood and see the potential it has to be…

Caroline is an Environmental Analyst with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, and a citizen board member of Keep Charlotte Beautiful. Her career has been dedicated to environmental stewardship of urban natural resources. She promotes data-driven solutions to today’s environmental challenges. You can often find her out cleaning up a waterway, road, or park, tending her community…

Jamii Tata is a parent, writer and educator who utilizes creative writing, performance poetry, storytelling, audio production, self-publishing and entrepreneurial training as Literacy Learning tools to educate inner city youth in community spaces (i.e. libraries, community centers, schools and community gardens).

Steven is a husband, a dad, a social worker, and a member of Macon’s mildest moped gang. He loves Joni Mitchell and chips and salsa. He cannot cook but he can whistle pretty good. He thinks it’s a good idea to live, work and worship in the same place. He has four boys in his…

Nancy Cleveland earned her B.S. in Advertising from Syracuse University. Although, raised in New York, she was born in Macon, GA, and re-located there in 2014. She manages the Community Foundation of Central Georgia’s day-to-day advertising, media relations and e-communication activities. In addition, she works with the development department on a variety of projects, including…

Moira Villiard is a visual artist who grew up on the Fond du Lac Reservation and who currently currently works full-time at Duluth’s only American Indian center (AICHO) as the Arts & Cultural Programming Coordinator. Her passion is community organizing, arts access, creative placemaking (with an emphasis on Indigenous land acknowledgement), and curating spaces that…

My name is Kat, and I am a recent graduate from the Florida State University with a Master of Public Health & Master of Science in Planning. I started working with Urban Health Partnerships (UHP) in April 2019, but before working with UHP, I worked as a community outreach coordinator in Tallahassee, Florida for over…

A native of southern Mexico, Marcos moved to Philadelphia as a teen. After high school, he went on to work in many restaurants around the city. Marcos has experience in helping organize the Latino community in Philadelphia, having previously worked with Kensington Soccer Club and as a bilingual community liaison at the Bicycle Coalition of…

Somaly Osteen has more than ten years of experience working for multiple local and international non-profit organizations. Somaly started her career in the country of Cambodia while taking part as a community advocate, community engagement, and development. Currently, Somaly serves as a Community Development Specialist with SEAMAAC where she works within a diverse community filled…

I am a Kansas native proud to call Philadelphia home. With an academic and practice background in community development, I’m interested in how human-centered design can grow more equitable cities. At the Rail Park, I explore how this new public space interacts with people and social power through thoughtful curation of public programs and community…

Molly is a Philadelphia native that has worked with city youths for seven years. Over the years she has promoted literacy, worked to lessen the digital divide, brought about a greater understanding of diverse populations, built up STEAM programming, and implemented sensory programming. Additionally, Molly has fostered nature, horticulture, and healthy eating programs for children…

Lucila Chavez is the first generation immigrant and the first in her family to get a Bachelor’s degree. Her major was in Psychology degree with a minor in Biology to better understand people she interacts with and herself. She is a community activist who started the Chicks in Bowls San Jose-CA chapter, a group of…

I am a born and raised San Jose resident. English is my second language. I am an autodidact, with an eclectic hybrid of old and new school methodologies, brought up by Obi-Wan Kenobi like mentors in AEC Industry. I have over 10 years of marketing and business development experience from the design (Architecture, Engineering, and…

Xia is a young Hmong community artist in the Twin Cities Metro area. She earned her degree in Mass Communications from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Xia currently works in Human Resources for a Home Health Care agency providing support to people with disabilities. She is passionate about working with marginalized communities, including…

Kyle was born and raised in Miami, Florida and work for Venture Cafe Miami (VCM). It is his personal goal to build loving communities where all individuals can thrive and prosper. Before VCM, Kyle worked for a mental health tech startup called TAO Connect for 4 years as the product manager and lead software developer,…

As a founding member of Centre Social Dance (CSD), Jay facilitates weekly dances and dance lessons, teaches fusion and blues dance, and trains new DJs. As a lighting designer, Jay reinvents public spaces and venues for fusion dance events across the country. CSD is the 2nd dance community Jay has helped found and the 4th…