Crafters of Belonging
Celebrating people who create spaces where everyone can belong, contribute, and thrive.
When this collaborative canvas of belonging was being completed we asked people to nominate crafters of belonging in their community – and they did. We also invited the larger public to submit nominations. These names and others who were part of the Cultural Destinations journey are celebrated in the center of the Heart of Belonging. We will continue to add people as nominations come in. Below is the name of the person and a brief description why they were added to the Heart of Belonging.
Crafters of Belonging
Recognizing people who create spaces where everyone belongs
A living roster of people whose actions open doors, build bridges, amplify voices, and strengthen community.
| AA Abdisalam Adam Creating community and learning spaces for all. | SA Siad Ali Connecting people to resources and opportunities. |
| TB Tom Barosse The world is in his heart. | ABC Annastacia Belladonna-Carrera Creating policy spaces of belonging. |
| BB Brett Buckner Works tirelessly to ensure a symphony of diverse voices and access to opportunities. | JC Joe Callahan Building people all the time. |
| MC Michelle Cashman Lifting the voices of others. | MC Michael Chaney Amplifying voices while building community. |
| CC Cheryl Chatman The soul of many communities. | LC Lester Collins Creating spaces of belonging for all. |
| BC Bransdon Corrie Protector of forests and wildlife. | EC Emma Corrie Creating spaces of opportunity. |
| RD Richard D’Souza Protector of forests and wildlife. | AE Antonio Espinoza Opening doors for creative expression. |
| RF Readus Fletcher Creating spaces for voice and economic access. | RF Rebecca Foreman Building spaces of belonging. |
| BF Bob Frawley Creating spaces of belonging. | HG Hector Garcia Making the global local. |
| GG Gene Gelgelu Creating vibrant spaces of community and wealth building. | LG Lorrie Green Creating creative spaces of belonging. |
| JH John Hoffman Creating spaces for all. | KI Kemet Imhotep Shining light on forgotten voices. |
| EJ Estelle Jones Building voices in the community. | EJ Ezell Jones Creating economic spaces of belonging. |
| SL Steve Lebeau Connecting people to build community networks. | GL Glen Lee Building community. |
| RL Ramon Leon Creating vibrant economic spaces for all. | JL Jane Leonard Building bridges across communities. |
| BL Brenda Lewis Creating spaces of learning for all. | GL Georgia Lickness A kind, gentle spirit who is always building community. |
| LM Larry Marsh Opening doors for youth. | RM Ryan McCoy Creating spaces for all. |
| KM Kevin McDonough Lifting every heart in joy. | AM Al McFarlane Creating spaces for expression and insight. |
| MM Michelle Moore Healing hearts. | SM/SM Sam and Sheila Myers Creating economic spaces across the world. |
| KN Kimberly Nightingale An architect of spaces of belonging. | AN Alice Northrup Creating spaces for all. |
| QO Quintin Osgood Building the human spirit one person at a time. | RP Ramon Pastrano Inspiring people. |
| SP Sam Perko Healing through dance. | JP Jane Peterson Looking out for those in need. |
| OP Oanh Pham Building community from behind the scenes. | NP Nieeta Presley Building spaces of cultural joy and belonging. |
| MAQ Mary Ann Quiroz Creating beautiful spaces for cultural expression. | GS George Saltillo Creating spaces of opportunity for all. |
| RS Rob Scarlett Building the local and global community. | VS Vanessa Schultz Creating spaces of learning. |
| SS Shrmithii Shrestha Looking out for others. | TS Tom Smith Opening doors for people. |
| PS Pamela Standing Creating spaces for creativity, wealth building, and belonging. | LT Lisa Tabor Creating spaces for cultural connections. |
| VT VaMegn Thoj Creating spaces for cultural enjoyment and wealth building. | JT Jaime Tincher Sharing networks and offering mentorship. |
| SV/ZV Seng and Zia Vue Creating spaces of inspiration. | LW Larry Walker Building bridges across cultures. |
| MW Marguerite Wilson The beauty of the human spirit. | KY Koua Yang Building people one person at a time. |
| DZ David Zander Tireless work to welcome the newcomer. | DZ David Zierott Creating spaces for community voices. |
Belonging is built in the everyday acts that help people feel seen, valued, connected, and able to contribute.