Mariadela Belle Alvarez (she/they/ella)
Mariadela Belle Alvarez is a professional dancer, capoeirista, and teaching artist utilizing Afro Latin arts & culture, theatrical performance, and social dance traditions to access individual resiliency and build collective liberation. Presently, Belle is an Artist with Ananya Dance Theatre. By day, Belle is the Community Giving and Volunteer Coordinator at Common Hope, a nonprofit promoting education, generating hope and opportunity in Guatemala. As a fundraiser, Belle's intrinsic motivation is to equip youth and families with the tools they need to build their futures and fulfill their dreams.
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Tsiang Belgrove (she/her)
Tsiang Belgrove is a fundraiser with a passion for arts nonprofits, serving as Annual Giving Officer at the Guthrie Theater in Minnesota. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Tsiang’s mission is to cultivate relationships with individuals who share belief in the power of the arts. With warmth and dedication, she works to ensure that future generations, regardless of race or socioeconomic background, have access to the enriching experiences that art offers. Tsiang finds joy in writing, yoga, and exploring her creativity through wheel throwing, blending passion and purpose in both her personal and professional interests.
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D'Shonte Carter (she/her/hers)
D'Shonte Carter is a seasoned professional in community capacity-building within the nonprofit sector, boasting expertise in program design and development, cultural community building, and art programming. Advocating fervently for communities of color and historically marginalized youth, D'Shonte brings a passion for empowering those she serves. Holding a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Virginia State University, a Historically Black University (HBCU), she has dedicated her career to validating, affirming, and bridging communities through music education. Her work in Minneapolis focuses on strengthening community engagement, fostering cultural connection, and promoting equity in curriculum and instruction. D'Shonte is committed to assisting others in establishing a solid foundation rooted in empowerment and self-actualization.
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Samara Gaitan (she/her)
Samara Gaitan is a dedicated development officer with a passion for fostering educational equity. With a background spanning diverse realms of higher education, she brings a wealth of experience in housing, admissions, financial aid, advising, and pre-collegiate programs to her role. A proud graduate of UW-Eau Claire, Samara furthered her academic journey by earning a Master’s in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University. She is thrilled to collaborate with individuals, families, and corporations to craft impactful contributions that make a meaningful difference for her organization.
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Kirk Harrington Jr. (he/him/his)
Kirk Harrington Jr. is a graduate of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. As a Spanish-speaking cosmopolite, he has lived and worked in several different countries (Chile, Egypt, Tanzania), and is currently working as the Corporate and Foundation Manager at the nonprofit Common Hope in Saint Paul, MN. Kirk has worked in schools, for Dakota & Ramsey County, and most recently at the Minnesota Capitol with a small lobbying firm. He is interested in equitable policy making and community organizing. He highly values family and friends.
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Zuhur Samriye (she/her)
Zuhur Samriye is a development officer at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, bringing a wealth of experience from her tenure with esteemed organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, the International Organization for Migration, and European Lawyers of Lesvos, where she dedicated her efforts to serving refugees. With a professional background in nonprofit humanitarian work and an educational foundation in Strategic Communication and PR, Zuhur has consistently amplified the voices of marginalized communities. Her career has been marked by a commitment to fostering connections and promoting cross-cultural understanding. Driven by a profound passion for effecting positive change, Zuhur firmly believes in the significance of every small action towards a better world.
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Qamar Yochanan (they/them)
Qamar Yochanan is a Black trans Jewish fundraising professional and a Marsha P. Johnson Institute recognized organizer. They move from the Jewish principle of tikkun olam - Spiritually restoring the world through tangible acts of solidarity and justice. In 2020, they raised over $30K for Black and Native transgender and/or Two Spirit artists in the Twin Cities. Currently, they work as a Development Specialist in Individual Giving for the National MS Society where they’ve raised over half their portfolio in their first months in the role. Qamar is also a former member of the Transgender Equity Council and Minneapolis Arts Commission, appointed by the first two Black trans elected officials in the US.
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