Mina's background embodies a collective learning experience as a Social Justice Advocate, Educator, Storyteller, and Animal Activist. Her work empowering women from domestic violence shelters, immigrant and refugee agencies, homeless shelters, and prisons speaks volumes about her ability to go where the need is to make an impact. A global citizen, she has lived, volunteered, and studied all over the world and has come to the conclusion that people are more or less the same everywhere. More recently, Mina has turned her attention to the epidemic of loneliness. She launched The Republic of Kindness workshops in response to the growing epidemic of depression, loneliness, and social isolation. Through her direct interaction with senior citizens, unemployed professionals, at-risk youth, and other underserved communities, she saw first-hand the devastating health consequences of loneliness and social isolation. The workshops are designed to cultivate kindness and empathy and give participants a sense of belonging and connection.

KC grew up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and graduated from Jose De Diego Community Academy. As the daughter of immigrants, KC’s idea of home extends from the west side of Chicago to the pueblo of her grandparents in Mexico. She is an alum of Chicago youth programs including Marwen, High Jump, After School Matters, Chicago Youth Initiating Change, Chicago Scholars, Associated Colleges of Illinois, Chicago Summer Business Institute, and more. Growing up in Chicago, KC spent countless hours observing the city from a seat on the CTA buses and trains, as she moved between home, school, and programs. KC is a first-generation college student with a background in urban planning & policy who carries lessons from Chicago community and youth activists to this day. She is interested in the role of arts & music in building community and in participatory design models that engage communities in envisioning just futures.

Deivid is a queer Colombian Latinx, Chicago-based, filmmaker, poet, organizer, public relations expert, and tender storyteller. He’s passionate about stories that explore queer love, Latinidad, masculinity, BIPOC communities, community resilience, immigration, globalization, mental health, and the climate change crisis. He was a Screencraft Screenwriting Fellowship Semi-Finalist, awarded the Windy City Times 30 under 30 Award for his contributions to the Chicago LGBTQ community, and has been recognized for his art and organizing in various publications. When he’s not giving poetry workshops or doing plant consultations, he’s probably dancing with one of his 150 plant daughters in his Pilsen apartment.