The Bee celebrates change makers who exemplify innovation in the capital region
We define a change maker as somebody who uplifts their community — somebody who thinks with innovation and acts with courage. They can be an environmental advocate seeking solutions, an educator who goes above and beyond for their students or a lawmaker who speaks up for underrepresented communities.
To celebrate the culmination of another round of the Change Maker series, The Sacramento Bee’s Equity Lab and the Nehemiah Emerging Leadership Program (NELP) hosted the latest 60 leaders at a Friday night event held at Sacramento State. This group represents the Top 20 Black Change Makers, the Top 20 Asian American and Pacific Islander Change Makers, and the Top 20 Latino Change Makers.
The Bee and NELP partner on the Change Maker series to highlight those in our Sacramento region who exhibit relentless determination. This partnership over the past two years has lauded the work of leaders in the Latino, Black and Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
“In order to be a change maker, you have to be a rule breaker,” said Berry Accius, a Top 20 Black Change Maker. “As someone who is seeking transformational change unapologetically, we don’t change who we are to move forward.”
Change makers are nominated by fellow community members. A selection committee made up of past change makers, the Nehemiah Community Foundation and members of The Bee then meet to select the final cohorts.
The series began in February 2022, with the Top 25 Black Change Makers class. The project has since highlighted 135 individuals, including the Top 25 AAPI Change Makers and the Top 25 Latino Change Makers.
The Bee’s Darrell Smith contributed to this story.
