Spirit and You Foundation
COMMUNITY ROOTS GALA
HONOREES
Tulani Kinard
Tulani Kinard is a Grammy Award-winning former member of Sweet Honey in the Rock, and a musical director for Iyanla Vanzant. She has released two solo albums and scored several musicals for urban young audiences. Her music spans various genres, including jazz, rhythm and blues, dance, calypso, Neo soul, hip hop, African chants, and traditional gospel. Tulani has been recognized for her cultural activism with the Fannie Lou Hammer Award and honored with awards from various organizations. The New York Times praised her vocal performance as "astonishing," and her music tells stories of love, peace, transformation, activism, and spiritual awakenings. Tulani's inspirational songs have timeless messages for healing, renewal of faith, and empowerment.
Aminata Dukray
Aminata Dukuray was born in Sierra Leone, but moved to The Republic of Gambia as a teenager to escape her country’s violence. She immigrated to the United States over 20 years ago. While working at a health food store in the United States, Aminata learned about the restorative and rejuvenating powers of shea butter. She grew to understand how different combinations of shea butter, oils, and other gifts from nature can revitalize hair and skin. When Aminata’s daughter developed a skin condition that didn’t respond to traditional medical treatment, she studied different combin ations of natural products to heal her daughter’s skin. She applied her growing knowledge and successfully cured her daughter’s skin condition. Aminata launched Ancient African Formula and a business was born. Ancient African Formula has grown to become a successful wholesale and retail business.
Amina Bey
Amina Bey is an expert in Workforce Development and Human Services, specializing in Non-Profit Management and Community Impact Work. As the Executive Director of Newark Emergency Services for Families, Inc., she has expanded programs and brought in millions of dollars of new funding. Amina previously served as Executive Director of the Newark Workforce Development Board, where she established partnerships and provided strategic direction for employment and training services. Amina also managed workforce development programs for the Essex County Division of Training and Employment for 15 years. She is an active member of various organizations and serves as a Trustee on the Board of the Victoria Foundation and the Greater Newark Health Care Coalition. Amina is a consultant, public speaker, and adjunct professor at Rutgers University - Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration.
Mildred Velez
Mildred Velez is the Founder and Executive Director of the Fibromyalgia Care Society of America, Inc (FCSA). The FCSA provides education, care and support services for those living with fibromyalgia and their families, and educates medical providers on the condition. Mildred, a Bronx native who experienced chronic trauma and homelessness in her youth, has dedicated her life to advocating for social and racial justice. She began her career in social services in 1997 and led the operations of a nationally recognized LGBTQ+ youth shelter for over 18 years. In 2015, she founded the FCSA to provide hope and support to those with fibromyalgia. Mildred lives with her family in Newark and volunteers as a tball coach for North Newark Little League.
Katy Guarducci Linton
Katy co-founded Greater Essex Counseling Services in 2009. The counseling center offers family-oriented substance use treatment services, mental health support, and various life-changing services to those in need, regardless of their ability to pay. Katy's dedication to helping others has led to the creation of Greater Essex Dental in 2023, which provides dental options with affordable payment and membership plans. Greater Essex Counseling and Dental prioritize evidence-based practices and compassionate care to help individuals live happy, healthy, and whole lives.
Jennifer Made
Jennifer Made is a Newark native and youth programs manager at Rutgers University Newark's Abbott Leadership Institute. She also builds strategies for Mentor Newark and runs her consulting business. Jennifer is highly involved with the community, organizing numerous toy drives, clothing drives, and community feedings through her network, Newark Community Action Network. She is also a cofounder of Girls On Bikes and created Dominican Talks, a Rutgers Newark student organization. Jennifer started the Annual Pay It Forward scholarship award for Newark Public Schools senior girls. She enjoys traveling and sharing tips on her online platform to encourage other young people to do the same.
Tobias Fox
Tobias Fox is the Founder and Managing Director of the community-driven, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Newark Science and Sustainability, Inc. Aside from being a writer and having ten years of independent publishing experience, Fox is a Professional Organizer, Urban Farmer, Photographer, and Coordinator of an annual Sustainable Living Empowerment Conference. He conducts various community events, presentations, and workshops on sustainable living practices and has assisted numerous urban farmers and gardeners with the cultivation of their agricultural spaces.
Yendor
Yendor is a creative, educational and transformative haven, Black founded and led, for emerging and established Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ artists. Founded in 2003 by Rodney Gilbert, a proud Newark native, the organization has always approached public art, creative placemaking and artistic curation through the lens of community and social justice. The organization prides itself on introducing the arts (in its various forms) to historically resilient communities and diverse populations through community-driven activities that include a portfolio of performing, visual, and wellness arts programs. We believe that public art is an anchor for economic growth and quality of life for residents. Yendor is dedicated to developing original, boundary-pushing work that is rooted in the lived-experiences of both the artists and historically-resilient communities we serve. Our work bridges the divides between communities and models what it means to center equity and justice in both its process and its artistic products.