BIWOC Leaders

Isabel Escobar: “I was born in Brazil and lived in Rio de Janeiro until I was 18 years old. In talking about my journey, I

Janeth Ceballos Osorio, MD, FAAP “Hola Amigos y Vecinos. I am a physician, an educator, a Hispanic woman, an immigrant. I was born and raised

Mizari Esmeralda Suárez: “Mizari Suárez is neighborly! I’ve never considered myself an activist, and although I’ve had individuals think and label me as an activist,

Preeti Gupta works as a Realtor for Lifstyl Real Estate. She is a co-owner of Housewarmings and is one of the organizers of Veg Fest

Dr. Huajing Maske, Executive Director, University of Kentucky Confucius Institute; Executive Director, University of Kentucky Office of China Initiatives. “I grew up in rural China

Marilyn Dishman was the first African American Commissioner for Fayette County. She became a member of the Board of Elections in June 2016 and is

“The prophetic saying that God is at your assistance when you assist others is one of the many values that my mother holds dear in

Dr. Seema Capoor is a physician, surgeon and associate professor in cornea and external diseases in the Department of Ophthalmology at UK HealthCare. “As an

Srimati Basu is Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Anthropology, and a member of the Committee on Social Theory at the University of Kentucky.

Nirmala S. Desai, MD Nima: “I went to medical school in Baroda, which is in the Western part of India, about 250 miles North of

Isabel Taylor: “My background is in international business law. I moved to KY in 2004 and am startled to realize I’ve been Lexington Fayette Urban

Mae Suramek is a reformed non-profit administrator turned social entrepreneur. She has worked as a human rights investigator in Kentucky and North Carolina, alumni director

Dr. Keiko Tanaka is Professor of Rural Sociology and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Community & Leadership Development in the Department of Community & Leadership

Renee Shaw was born in Portland, TN, and is a graduate of Western Kentucky University, with a B.A. in political science and broadcast journalism (1994)

Nadia Rasheed, M.D. Born and raised in New York City, Nadia Rasheed completed medical school in Baghdad, Iraq in 1983. She was evacuated from Kuwait

Brigit Truex is a Lexington-based artist and poet. Brigit: “How to be a writer/artist during the epidemic?This almost-year of basic ‘hermitage’ has been an extraordinary

Erin Robinson is co-owner of Not Your Ordinary Vegan. Narrative from original post: Not Your Ordinary Vegan is a dedicated vegan cafe that serves an

Tia Edwards is co-owner of Fresh Bourbon Distilling Co. Narrative from original post: In 2017 Sean Edwards, a Lexington, Kentucky, native set out to open

Etel Wagner is Chef/Owner of Bayleaf Diaspora Kitchen Narrative from original post: Etel: “As far back as my college days, cooking for others and seeing

Tiffany El-Amin: “I am a farmer in Appalachian Kentucky. I farm herbs and other flowers and plants for pollinators conservation that we have in our

April Taylor is a local leader of the LPD Accountability movement and a co-founder of the Wild Fig Worker Co-operative. She has been doing grassroots

Saburah El-Amin is the co-founder, backbone, and lead community organizer for the SHARE Center in Lexington, KY. Her experience and activism in the Central Kentucky

Kenzie Green: “I’m a regular participant in the Black Lives Matter and LPD accountability protests in Lexington. In my hometown, Mount Sterling, KY, I’m an

Jessica McAlpin is a Lexington-based artist and owner of Verie Nice Art. Jessica: “Verie Nice Art is a sort of all-encompass name for what I

Sarah Williams, BSN, MA, Community Activist, Civic Change Agent, one of the leaders of the Black Lives Matter protests in Lexington, Co-Founder of Peoples Blueprint

Dr. Deidra Dennie is Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at Transylvania University. She was recently appointed to the Affordable Housing Commission in Lexington by

Christine Louise Stanley is Member of the Defense Research Institute and the National Bar Association. She is At-Large Representative to the Young Lawyers Division of

Ka’imilani Leota Sellers is a teacher and writer. Narrative from original post: Writing Kentucky By K. Ka`imilani Leota Sellers I once imagined you; sleek rifles,

Minerva Castillo just stepped down as President of Rancho Tapatio. Narrative from original post: Minerva: “I don’t mind the pandemic much. We like being at

Adalhí Aranda is Founder and Director of Bluegrass Youth Ballet. Narrative from original post: Adalhí: “Teaching ballet during this time is very challenging. It’s an

Rikketta Franklin, M.Ed. is owner of Cynette Tutelage and Consulting as well as a Violence Prevention Coordinator with the University of Kentucky Violence Intervention and

Toa Green is Owner/Operator of Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream. Narrative from original post: Toa: “We have been quarantined together for 9 weeks but

Analia Loria Kinsey is Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences in the College of Medicine at the University of Kentucky. She

Juliana Jensen is the proud owner of Cakes by Julie. She was able to move her business from a rented commercial kitchen space to her

Hanan Froukh: “I am a Muslim woman who is a Palestinian immigrant. I am part-owner of our family business Habibi’s Sweets & Pastries, a mentor

Martina Barksdale is “Multimedia Maven” founder and creator of The Sit-in, Co-founder of Soulfeast Week: Celebrating Black Culinary (coming to Lexington June 2021), and though

Shayna Sawyers: “As far as my role in the community, my show on 107.9 The Beat is very inspirational and encouraging. I give my listeners

Rebecca Web is Founder and Director of Community Inspired Solution since 2014. Narrative from original post: Misty had seen t-shirts that say “Y’all Can’t Be

Lakshmi Sriraman: “I am a visual and performing artist, based in Lexington. I run two arts-based small businesses, Shree School of Dance and Lakshmi’s Studio.

Shana Sippy is Assistant Professor of Religion at Centre College and founding co-chair of the Underrepresented Faculty Council and Faculty for Justice at Centre College

Samantha Johnson is Director of The Night Market, Social Media Lead at the Julietta Market, Community Manager at Hi Anxiety, Creative at Kentucky For Kentucky,

Maria Labreveux is Executive Director of the Kentucky Science & Engineering Foundation (KSEF). Narrative from original post: Maria is the eternal optimist in the family.

Helue Shalash is co-owner of BaK 4 More Studio. Narrative from original post: Jenna: “Puzzles, movies, and food, oh my!”

Saphia Isa is co-owner of BaK 4 More Studio. Narrative from original post: Saphia: “Our home has turned into a library. I’m teaching downstairs. The

Hoda Shalash serves on the programmatic board of CivicLex and on the Executive board of SHARE Center, a non-profit social service center. Through SHARE, she

Mercedes Harn teaches K-5 Spanish at Athens Chilesburg Elementary School in Lexington, KY. She is the president of Casa de la Cultura and a local