The Beauty of Intersectionality and Disability: Voices for Justice (Option 1)

Major: Computer Technology Support and Administration 

Hello. My name is Tunmi (To-me). I am a totally blind individual. I am a second-year college student studying Computer Tech Support and Administration (CTSA) which is a field of Computer Science. 

Outside of my studies, I am an audio game developer and music producer.  

Major: Psychology

I started my academic journey at Minneapolis College in 2017 and will graduate with my AA degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences with a concentration in Psychology this May. The next stage of my journey will start this fall when I transfer to Metro State University for my bachelor’s in psychology.

I started participating in advocacy work in 2017 when I became a member of the largest organized blindness movement in the world, the National Federation of the Blind. It’s here where I began honing my leadership and advocacy skills through a wide spectrum of opportunities including but not limited to chairing committees with various focuses, planning leadership seminars for blind students across the country, and lobbying for various pieces of legislation here in Minnesota and on capitol hill to improve the lives of disabled Americans.

I am currently employed as a student worker in the Accessibility Resource Center at Minneapolis College, where I am coming to love working with others like me who deserve an accessible learning environment.

Major: Human Services

Margarita Ortega wears many hats and serves the community in various efforts that advance racial justice and equity throughout the State of MN. Margarita will graduate this May with her Associate of Science in Human Services and transfer to transfer to Metro State University.  She plans to apply to Hamline University and double major in Civil Rights Law.

Margarita is a federally enrolled member of the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe and is a first-generation American from her father. Her mother grew up in Chicago’s condemned buildings, as her grandmother was relocated off-reservation because of the Indian Relocation Act of 1956.  During the Mariel Boatlift in 1976, Margarita’s from Cuba to America.

She is a proud resident of the one and only Urban Native American Preference HUD Housing Community in the Nation, Little Earth of United Tribes.

Margarita is a long-time advocate for change and currently serves on three State of Minnesota Commissions and Committees:

• Minneapolis Representative, The Urban Indian Advisory Board
• American Indian Representative, Cultural Ethnic Communities and Leadership Council
• Minneapolis American Indian Representative, Minnesota Pregnancy Wellness and Substance Abuse

She also is a SMART Justice Fellow under the ACLU, NAACP, and Tone Up. Margarita serves as an Assistant Head Judge for the City of Minneapolis Elections Department and is a proud mother of two daughters. She challenges systemic structures and breaks down barriers for ethnic communities.

Major: Healthcare Management

Hello, my name is Ebony Hill. I was born in Chicago and raised in Minnesota. My disabilities are hard of hearing. I was born with hearing losses which included reduced speech discrimination. I am a junior at Minnesota State University Moorhead, pursuing a degree in Healthcare Management.

I transferred from Century College after I graduated with my A.A.S Medical Office Assistant Degree. My educational background includes a Medical Assistant Diploma, a Medical Office Support Certificate, and a Medical Administrative Support Diploma. My goals are to be a healthcare leader and improve healthcare facilities. I am unsure what to do, but I want to work in a clinic or hospital setting doing something I enjoy and put my degree to good use. One day, I plan to work towards parity for people with disabilities regarding their disability rights. I have many ideas and goals I am trying to implement into my lifestyle.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, spending time with my family and friends, working out, and eating out at different restaurants.

Major: Social Studies Education

Chester Natagegabo (Anishiinabemowin for “The One Who Stands First”) Spears is an enrolled citizen of the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe, an Army veteran, a proud father, an organ recipient, and a non-traditional student. Chester returned to college full-time after a 15+ year hiatus, to complete his Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education, after receiving an organ transplant and realizing that he couldn’t continue carrying out the physical labor that he had proudly been doing most of his adult life to provide for himself and his family. He is a transfer student from Red Lake Nation College, where he was on the Dean’s List every semester, a former American Indian Fund Scholarship recipient and a Red Lake Nation New Beginnings Scholarship recipient. Chester has experience as a grassroots organizer in the Twin Cities Indigenous community; he has taught classes on traditional eagle staff runs to Native youth in various community spaces. For many years, he volunteered for the Minneapolis American Indian Center Circle of Generations program and for the American Indian Patient Advocate program at Hennepin County Medical Center.  

Chester is interested in teaching Native American history and in working at Native-serving schools in the Twin Cities after completing his degree. When he’s not studying, he enjoys supporting his daughter’s extra-curricular interests in jingle dress dancing, jazz dancing, and spending time with his dog “Okwiin” and cat “Zaagi” 

Hello, my name is Margaret-Ann Thompson. I was born in Ohio and moved to Minnesota when I was 8 years old. My disabilities are ADHD, Learning disability, and Asperger’s. I’m currently a Nursing student at Century College and have certifications as a Pharmacy technician, Medical Administration Assistant, Nursing Assistant, and immunization tech.