Equity in Action Way

intentional space for partners to engage in ongoing learning and redirect power to the community to name and solve problems on their own terms

with impacted communities and partners across sectors to reveal and address complex problems using mixed methods evaluation, quantitative surveys, qualitative focus group and semi-structured interviews, and other emerging methodologies co-designed by impacted communities

power by convening new tables that bring stakeholders together with different scales of influence and power to grow impacted community members capacity to lead

how community members are creating knowledge in their everyday lives and identify concrete policy and practice changes that make a real difference

lived experiences that reveal root causes of racial injustice and reshape popular debates at the local and national level

CHAIR

Kamisha is known as Healer, Leader, Advocate and Mother in the community. Kamisha is a therapist by education but has transformed many lives through cultural remembrance and love in our community. Kamisha has a passion for healing the community through focusing on mental health, while using intuitive healing techniques that create radical self-love, self-care and healing from past traumas. Kamisha's goal is to continue Courageous Conversations on the stigma of Mental Health and trauma in marginalized communities. Kamisha promotes intensive self-discovery and transformative practices.

VICE CHAIR

Over the past two decades, Dr. Catherine R. Squires has engaged in multiple community partnerships to uplift and share local Black histories, support BIPOC writers, host conferences and facilitate intergenerational story sharing. She has published multiple books and articles on media, race, gender, and politics. After 20 years in academia, Dr. Squires retired from her position as Associate Dean of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Minnesota. Currently she works with individuals and organizations to develop and advance ideas through research, writing, art, and healing movement practices.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & BOARD MEMBER

I am a happily married lesbian Certified Public Accountant and an Attorney. I have my Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School and my B.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. I have over 15 years of experience in the accounting field in the areas of financial reporting and analysis, bookkeeping, accounting software, budgeting, and tax. I have 10 years of experience in the legal field in the areas of contracts, tax, nonprofits, business entity formation, and civil rights. For fun, I enjoy home renovation projects, hiking, travel, and spending time with my wife and two dogs.

TREASURER

Tyrai Bronson (she/they) is the CEO + Founder of LEEP Consulting, which works side-by-side with clients on their intercultural capacity building journey. She is a passionate, energetic leader, facilitator, and trainer. Prior to founding LEEP Consulting, Tyrai served as the Vice President of Capacity Building for a national strategy firm and the Diversity & Inclusion Manager for a non-profit in the Twin Cities. Earlier in their career, they had the privilege of building and practicing curriculum development skills while working in elementary school classrooms. Tyrai has a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership and has earned an Equity & Diversity certificate from the University of Minnesota.