Investing in community-based leaders driving solutions for healthy, thriving communities across the U.S.
Contact: Ladin Bacakoglu
Communications and Events Manager
[email protected]
Washington, DC, March 18, 2025–Aspen Global Innovators Group (AGI) is proud to announce the selection of its seventh cohort of the Healthy Communities Fellowship. This year, the Healthy Communities Fellowship champions eight leaders from San Antonio, TX, Tulsa, OK, Durham, NC, and the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. AGI will provide tailored communication and narrative skills training, along with leadership development, to elevate this dynamic group of leaders—enhancing their visibility, amplifying their voices, expanding their innovations, and driving impactful change in their communities and beyond. The Healthy Communities Fellowship is a powerful example of the Aspen Institute’s 75-year commitment to fostering impactful leadership around the world—a commitment that the Institute is seeking to deepen and expand across the organization as it implements its current five-year strategic plan.“At AGI, we create spaces where community leaders are heard and redefined on their own terms. Community leaders are not just drivers of change—they are the visionaries shaping a better future. Rooted in lived experience and fueled by a deep, authentic commitment, they are uniquely equipped to transform their communities from within. These talented leaders will challenge each other to think and work beyond their communities and help us rethink narratives of power and resilience” said Tsion Ghedamu, Deputy Director, AGI.Dr. Janel Pasley, a 2023 Healthy Communities Fellow, shared her experience: “From my perspective, the Healthy Communities Fellowship program is both beneficial and critical. It equips leaders like me with the vision and purpose to face challenges head-on and drive meaningful and lasting impact in our communities.” MEET THE HEALTHY COMMUNITIES FELLOWS:The 2025 Healthy Communities Fellows are based in North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS FELLOWSBrandi Coleman | Founder & CEO, The Lemonade Circle
Brittany Brass | Founder & Director of Social Media, Urban Run Club SATXRIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS FELLOWSJorge Rodriguez | Director, Buckner Family Hope Center at Peñitas and Donna
Monica Hernandez Sanchez | CEO, Behavioral Health Solutions of South TexasTULSA, OKLAHOMA FELLOWSJoi-Michelle Rhodes | Adult Outpatient Therapist, Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma
Jameelah Stuckey | Senior Manager, TNTP & Director of Program Management, African American Leadership Academy of TulsaDURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA FELLOWSWilliam Jackson | Founder, Village of Wisdom
Quinny Sanchez Lopez | Co-Founder, Somos Durham Learn more about the fellowship and read their bios. The Fellowship is supported by our generous funder partners American Institute for Research Opportunity Fund, Knapp Community Care Foundation,and Methodist Healthcare Ministries.Contact: Ladin Bacakoglu, Communications and Events Manager
[email protected]
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The Aspen Global Innovators GroupFor over 15 years, the Aspen Global Innovators Group has championed health and development leaders and innovators from 54 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Island States to design, champion and advocate for innovative programs, policies, and partnerships that result in a safer, more equitable, and healthier future for all people and communities. Our network of 7000+ individuals and organizations has served 200 million people, improving health, well-being, and equity. We identify and amplify the voices of visionary, proven, and impactful local leaders, advocates, and practitioners. Join us in building a healthier, more equitable future at https://www.aspenglobalinnovators.org/.AIR Opportunity FundThe AIR Opportunity Fund invests in innovative research and bold solutions to expand opportunities for all. Backed by a $225 million commitment from AIR, we work alongside our partners to improve education and workforce development, promote safe and secure neighborhoods, and enhance health outcomes and community well-being. Through collaboration and evidence-based approaches, we strive to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and foster lasting, positive change. Visit here: https://www.air.org/opportunity. Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) is committed to broadening the definition of healthcare by building upon its legacy of supporting high quality access to care for the under and uninsured by addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, food security, digital opportunities, and community-led efforts. Ultimately, MHM fulfills its mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity across the 74 counties it serves so that all can thrive. Visit here https://www.mhm.org/ Knapp Community Care Foundation The Knapp Community Care Foundation (KCCF) is a private foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents in the Mid-Valley region of the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Established in 2013, KCCF continues the legacy of Knapp Medical Center’s mission by investing in initiatives that improve health outcomes in surrounding communities. Recognizing the profound impact of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), KCCF focuses on key factors such as education, access to nutritious food, housing stability, economic opportunities, all elements that shape overall well-being. By investing in these areas, the foundation hopes to foster healthier, more resilient communities.To date, KCCF has awarded over $57 million in grants. Through partnerships with local nonprofits, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and other community stakeholders, KCCF remains committed to improving and sustaining the long-term health of Mid-Valley residents.The Aspen InstituteThe Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.