Extraordinary folks from across our region who are determined to make a difference.
Meet this year’s group of trailblazers supporting and preserving our regions people, places, and traditions.
He is also a role model, proudly introducing Black children to a world many didnt know existed.
Credit:Elizabeth Lavin
At 2REquine, he teaches youth-horseman ship classes, hosts events and parties, and gives lessons.
But sometimes all it takes is riding a horse throughdowntown Fort Worthto make an impact.
Theres a community of us,Howard says.
Credit:Peter Frank Edwards
A lot of times, we go unnoticed.
People have the misconception that Black cowboys are new; thats false.
They were some of the original cowboys, he explains.
The narrative of the cowboy is blond hair and blue eyes.
A friend posted about volunteering, and she wanted to know more.
After I saw the cart, I was like,Oh my goodness.
Credit:Robbie Caponetto
We need to do this in Columbia, she says.
After returning home, she headed to her local childrens hospital.
I would like to see if we can take steps to create this program here.
Credit:Robbie Caponetto
By the time I walked out, we had a start date, she recalls.
Happy Wheels now visits patients in South Carolinas childrens hospitals once a week.
In 1970, she founded The Peoples Survival Theater, one of the earliest performing arts companiesin Atlanta.
Credit:Robbie Caponetto
Passion is what drives you to do things that are probably pretty dangerous.
But I had faced danger before, she says.
If you go out and look, you will find someone to help.
Credit:Mountain Mule Packers
But when she married a pastor and stepped into ministryin Birmingham, she found her true calling.
I wanted to inspire women to take charge of their health, she says.
Shortly after launching Virtue, Greens mission became crystal clear in the wake of a tragedy.
Her friend Robin was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of breast cancer.
A young wife and mother, Robin was only in her thirties at the time.
Through creative programming, she promotes the basics of preventive care and early detection.
Fundraising effortshelp the underinsured afford mammograms and child care during treatment, if needed.
Its a zoo, she says cheerfully.
He felt disconnected from those around him.
When Casper reluctantly shared his work with the class, he was amazed by what happened.
For a second, I felt connected to them, he says.
Veterans, we dont tell our stories because we dont think people will understand us.
I felt like they understood me with one color.
This opened Caspers eyes to other means of artistic expression, such as creative writing and songwriting.
He eventually graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Next, he turned to a Nashville-based songwriter.
Participants can choose between art and songwriting programs.
A few of these tunes are released each year, and the veterans receive royalties.
[These animals] are capable and willing to workin many conditions most wont.
They arenot stubborn…they are wise, and require respect.
Each of Toberers mules is capable of carrying about 200 pounds.
Along the way, they saw care and community in some of the most devastating circumstances imaginable.
If you keep hearing about these Appalachian people being some of the strongest, kindest people…believe it!
We are witnessing it in these hollers daily.
No one wants to take too much of the supplies brought to themor hoard resources.
They want to check that their neighbors have plenty as well.
