All in Education
Ikimi Dubose-Woodson is a world-studied chef that finds inspiration through giving to communities of color. She co-founded The Roots Fund, which nourishes and enriches the lives of communities of color in the wine industry. The organization has helped over 200 people of color seeking high-quality education as they prepare for certifications in all aspects of wine.
Heather Rogers is an artist who draws presidents along with fun facts about them that she has learned over the years. She set out on a mission to read a book about every U.S. president and ended up with a blog, merchandise, and a following of 1,200 people on Instagram. She is working on releasing a book that documents the fun facts she has learned while reading about the presidents and their lives. Her hope is that her story will inspire other people to keep with their passions and skills rather than letting them fade out as they get older.
Humberto Orozco’s life was changed at just 19 years old–when he was diagnosed with HIV. Despite the stigma associated with the virus, Orozco continues to prove to himself and others that it is possible to live a life unimpeded by HIV. Orozco is now a social media activist, promoting positivity within his community and educating others on HIV.
Growing up, Nelly Cheboi always wondered what the world was like outside her village in Mogotio, Kenya. She lived in a tin roof house and worked tirelessly in school, earning her a college scholarship in the US. Cheboi spent six months learning how to type, became a software engineer, and is now the founder of TechLit Africa. TechLit Africa gives students in rural Kenya access to technology and digital skills to give them greater opportunities.
Fueled by passion and a desire to educate–meet Mackenzie Strong, a blind woman with albinism. Mackenzie Strong lives up to her name–she is well-known on her college campus and swims competitively, all while with albinism. Despite the stigma surrounding disability, Strong advocates for her community and is paving the way toward a more inclusive world.
Chef Kenny Minor has always had a love for being in the kitchen and after cooking as a hobby for many years, this passion turned into a career. Minor wants to educate and inspire others on the importance of what we put into our bodies and how this affects us daily. Using the elements of cooking and singing, Minor is able to connect with anyone willing to try one of his recipes!
After 40 surgeries and doubts from her doctors, McKenzy Hupke just walked across the stage and graduated from Wagner University. Seven years ago, Hupke was diagnosed with Stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. College graduation was a big part of Hupke’s bucket list and after an emergent brain surgery this past March, she was able to graduate from college alongside her peers.
Chibwe Mwansa is not just an ambassador for the WeINSPIRE Movement, but she is also a community activist and human rights advocate. Mwansa has spent the last few months in Kitwe as part of the organization Roots of Care, dedicated to helping children enroll in school with all the tools they need to succeed.
Maurelhena Walles is the founder of Equity Design with the mission to close the gap between health, wealth and life expectancy. She does this by designing physical activity programming that uses an equity lens as well as data.
After facing what could be considered one of the most painful and shocking experiences of her life, widow Michele Neff Hernandez founded an organization called Soaring Spirits to help other widows find community amongst each other.
Dr. Theo Nyame is a board-certified plastic surgeon and father of two, who educates his children at home. He is passionate about education and believes a parent’s involvement in their child’s education is important. This is why he not only educates his own kids but has started an education initiative to help low-income families.
Rob Kenney has built a platform based entirely on sharing a father’s love. On his YouTube channel ‘Dad, How Do I?’ he shares advice, affirmations and tutorials with his audiences.
Rebecca Kunos is the advisor of the Lake Howell ASL (LHHS ASL) Honor Society. Originally, it started as a club run by students and still is! Kunos is a self-proclaimed “paperwork lady.” Just like it sounds, the students come up with the ideas and Kunos does the paperwork. LHHS ASL Honor Society's mission is to teach people about sign language and the deaf community through various events. They host their own events as well as participate in some hosted by the county.
Erin Johnson is on a journey with international adoption. Her story starts with a foster home her aunt owned overseas. Her family created the foster home for children with disabilities who were not being cared for at their previous institutions. When she was 18, she traveled to the foster home and found one special little boy who she calls her son. Now, she is trying to adopt him.
After noticing the toll that certain health issues were having on the Black community, Cherie White decided to use her passion for fitness to create resources that can open the door to better overall wellness. Her website BLK&FIT has various workouts, recipes and routines for her audience to follow.
Meet Diane Cade, a three-time cancer survivor. She has survived hairy cell leukemia twice and has recently survived uterine cancer. She now shaves her head for other cancer patients so they do not feel alone.
Meet Beth Leipholtz, a mother inspired by her 2-year-old son Cooper, who is deaf, creating an A-to-Z book featuring everyday children with disabilities. Her mission is to educate children about the different disabilities they may see in their lives.
Dianna Smiley has known since she was a teenager that her calling was to help teen moms. In her adulthood, she turned her calling into an organization called GenerationHer that helps teenage girls all over the country with struggles they may face as parents.
HBCUmADe105, a Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ advocacy group, was founded in 2019 by Hope Kent, an HBCU graduate with overwhelming pride and hope in her institution. From there she teamed up with HBCU graduate Isaiah Branton to bring awareness and promote all that HBCUs have to offer.
16-year-old Isabella Hanson is arguably one of the busiest teenagers you may come across. Aside from doing typical teenage things like hanging out with friends and preparing for college, she’s also the founder and operator of a world-wide poetry competition for children that allows them to express why they believe Black Lives Matter.
