Arts and Cultural Heritage - Heritage Program (State Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017)

Sakinah Mujahid

Sakinah Mujahid has been actively involved in social services work for over six years. She currently serves as the Associate Program Manager for BEACON Families Moving Forward Program Southwest, a program working to help end homelessness in Scott and Carver Counties. Prior to beginning her involvement with social services, Sakinah, who is a third-generation Muslim, served 13 years in the U.S. Army. After leaving the military, she began working as a volunteer at Sisters Need a Place (“SNAP”), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping to meet the economic and spiritual needs of Muslim women and their families. Sakinah’s dedication and commitment to that mission has led her to currently serve as SNAP’s Executive Director. 

Diane Tran

Diane Tran is a Senior Project Manager at Grassroots Solutions, a national consulting firm specializing in grassroots strategy, organizing, training, and evaluation. She also directs Minnesota field activities for the Pew Charitable Trusts’ program to advance federal clean energy policies. Previously, Diane coordinated a local public health advocacy campaign to advance the Minnesota Freedom to Breathe Act of 2007. She serves on the advisory boards of Civic Leadership Initiative Online (CLIO) and the Defense Alliance and is Chair of the board of directors for the Citizens League. She is the author of the children's book, Linh and the Red Envelope. In addition to her other activities, Diane blogs about active citizenship, emerging leadership, and the ‘Millennial’ generation at www.MinnesotaRising.org. 

Scott Glew

Scott joined the Minnesota Army National Guard during his senior year of high school in September 2001.  After eight years of service, including a deployment to Iraq in 2007-08, he began his career as a social studies teacher at Salk Middle School in Elk River.  Scott is dedicated to creating an enjoyable classroom environment where students are challenged to use history, civics, geography, and economics to deepen their understanding of the world and make a difference.  Beyond the classroom, he serves on the boards of directors for the Minnesota Council for History Education and the Minnesota Council for the Social Studies, and conducts graduate research on citizenship and peace at the University of Minnesota. 

Ashley Laganiere

Ashley Laganiere is a third generation Army veteran and spouse, and has a strong passion for serving Minnesota veterans.  After subbing in the Rochester Public School district for a year, Ashley assumed a position with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs St. Paul Regional Office.  In addition to Ashley’s claims work, she was heavily involved in mentoring St. Paul employees and training new employees on the national level.  Ashley has since obtained a Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration from Metropolitan State University.  In order for Ashley to satisfy her desire to be a true advocate for Minnesota veterans, Ashley left VA in November 2014 to assume the responsibilities of Gold Star Families and Women Veterans Coordinator position with MDVA.

Ezekiel Joubert

Ezekiel Joubert III is a PhD student at the University of Minnesota in the Curriculum and Instruction department, program Culture and Teaching. His research interests are critical pedagogies, youth and child development, and education at the intersections of rurality and race. As a special education teacher, he used narrative and identity to develop and empower students, and works to find ways for students to engage in cultural memories and histories.