The Bush Foundation in St. Paul, Minnesota, has announced the 24 recipients of this year’s Bush Fellowships.

Established in 1965, the Bush Fellowship program supports the development of social sector leaders in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native nations that share the same geography. Each Bush fellow receives up to $100,000 over one to two years in support of a leadership development plan tailored to their needs and ambitions. Fellows can use the funds to advance their education, take advantage of networking opportunities, and/or access leadership resources, workshops, and trainings.

This year’s cohort includes Abdirizak Diis, an educator in Minneapolis Public Schools who created the first Somali ethnic studies curriculum in the country; Hillary Kempenich (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa), a leader in the creation of a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) museum working to infuse authentic reconciliation, repatriation, and decolonization practices into planning and programming; and Rebecca Polston, who founded one of just five Black-owned accredited birth centers in the country to provide an alternative, culturally based model to reduce health disparities and increase practitioners of color.

“These talented fellows have already made vital contributions to their communities,” said Bush Foundation vice president of grantmaking Anita Patel. “We are inspired by their vision and are grateful to support their leadership journey as they seek even bigger impact.”

For a complete list of this year’s Bush Fellows, see the Bush Foundation website.

(Photo credit: Bush Foundation)