Bush Fellows draw on their heritage to lead in a more diverse Minnesota

MPR News with Angela Davis

One of the greatest gifts you can give any leader is the time and money to become even more effective at the change they want to make in the world.

That idea is at the heart of the Bush Fellowship.

Every year, up to 30 people across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and in 23 Native nations receive this prestigious fellowship from the Bush Foundation, along with grants of up to $150,000 to pursue their own personal and professional development.

The application for next year’s cohort is open through Oct. 15.

On Monday, MPR News host Angela Davis talked with three Bush Fellows about their work and how deepening a connection to their own culture is helping them make Minnesota a better place.

Guests:

• Irma Márquez Trapero is a 2024 Bush Fellow and co-founder and CEO of LatinoLEAD, a nonprofit organization that is working to advance Latino Minnesotans into positions of leadership through advocacy and professional development.




• Michelle Goose is a 2024 Bush Fellow and an Ojibwe language instructor and faculty program coordinator for American Indian Studies at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet. She is also a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.




• Vayong Moua is a 2020 Bush Fellow. He is the director of racial and health equity and advocacy at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.

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