Welcome to the Hope in Action podcast series by the National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE). In this series, we go beyond the data to share authentic stories of healing, policy transformation, and community resilience. Join us as we speak with leaders, artists, and advocates who are putting hope into action to build a more equitable society.
Check out our podcast series on your favorite platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
Storytelling & Collective Healing – In Part 1 of our conversation, we explore the intersection of kindness, sacred storytelling, and the pursuit of optimal health. Stefanie Tovar and Maria Dautruche share their approaches to lovingly disrupting the status quo and redefining what it means to be well. Tune in to hear how grounding ourselves in deep listening and embracing our true desires can pave the way for collective liberatory wellness.
Stefanie Tovar is a first-generation Mexicana American healing artist, CEO, and Co-Founder of Yena, a nonprofit dedicated to collective freedom. She leads with her passionate heart, using sacred storytelling, mindful movement, and music to support well-being. With a background in performing arts and facilitating yoga since 2008, Stefanie has presented at SXSW, Dallas TRHT, and more. She recently launched Collective Awakening, an online anti-racist community, and is currently developing a one-woman show exploring trauma, racism, and transcendence.
Maria Dautruche is a coach, strategist, facilitator, and the founder of the Dopwell Group LLC. She identifies proudly as a Black feminist, reproductive justice advocate, wife, and mom. Maria previously served as the inaugural director of the Westchester Center for Racial Equity and as a senior advisor at the National Urban League. A trained Rx for Racial Healing circle facilitator, she also co-founded New Voices for Reproductive Justice in 2004, powerfully organizing for the health and well-being of Black women and LGBTQ+ people of color.
Healing Through History & Culture – In Part 2 of our conversation, we dive into the transformative power of vulnerability, courage, and the hard work of building community bridges. Von Gordon and Ariel Jimenez discuss navigating advocacy work, maintaining faith in the face of systemic challenges, and the vital importance of dignity in equity work. Tune in to hear an inspiring call to action about doing what we can, where we are, and passing the baton of hope to future generations.
Healing Through History & Culture – In Part 1 of our conversation, we explore the profound impact of honoring our ancestors and embracing cultural healing. Von Gordon and Ariel Jimenez share their personal journeys, the wisdom passed down from their mentors, and the concept of “La Cultura Cura” (culture heals). Tune in to hear how recognizing the sacredness of our histories and finding the “medicine” within our own families lays the groundwork for true racial healing.
Von Gordon is the Executive Director of the Alluvial Collective, where he works to end inequity by cultivating belonging and wholeness. A native of Mississippi, Von focuses on building deep relationships and resilient connections to drive cultural transformation. He also develops community and youth programs, serving on the boards of Operation Shoestring and the Mississippi Statewide Afterschool Network.
Episode Resources & Guest Links:
Ariel Jimenez is the Program Manager and LCC Network Coordinator for the National Compadres Network based in San Jose, CA. Born in Jalisco, Mexico, and raised in East San Jose, his work focuses on racial equity, systemic change, and culture-infused transformational change. Ariel utilizes culturally responsive modalities—like storytelling and Indigenous practices—to promote healing, growth, and thriving in youth of color.
Episode Resources & Guest Links:
In Part 2 of our conversation on Food Justice & Sovereignty, we dive deeper into community-led solutions and the power of participatory research. Treasure Sheppard and MB Mitcham share how vital it is to value lived experience and cultural preferences when addressing food accessibility. Tune in to hear how empowering communities to reclaim their own resources and holding onto hope are the ultimate keys to true health equity.
In Part 1 of our conversation on Food Justice & Sovereignty, we move beyond the concept of “food deserts” to discuss “food swamps” and the fight for true food sovereignty. Treasure Sheppard and MB Mitcham join us to explore how grassroots movements and community-led initiatives are reclaiming healthy food systems. Tune in to hear about the power of community gardens and how restoring dignity in food choices is essential for health equity.
Treasure Sheppard, EdD, is the Strategic Initiatives Project Manager at the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, where she leads “Watts Rising,” a collective-impact model for historically disinvested communities. Highly skilled in grant implementation and urban development, her work champions sustainable intersectoral collaboration to improve community resilience, environmental health, and health equity.
Episode Resources & Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/treasuresheppard/
Watts Rising: https://www.wattsrising.org/
MB (Marybeth) Mitcham, PhD, is an assistant professor and the director of the Online MPH Program at George Mason University. Her research focuses on the interplay between humans and their environment, leveraging storytelling and intergenerational approaches to foster personal connectedness and combat loneliness. Based in New York, she works closely with local organizations to reduce health inequities and build community resilience.
Episode Resources & Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mb-marybeth-m-9346776b/
Webpage: https://www.gmu.edu/profiles/mmitcha2
In our inaugural episode, we explore how artists use storytelling, music, and performance to advance healing and racial justice. Join us for a powerful conversation featuring interdisciplinary artists April Fitzpatrick and Mahoganee Amiger as they discuss the science behind art as medicine, the “Pineapples with Purpose” initiative, and the transformative power of creativity in our communities.
Mahoganee Amiger is a renowned Gullah/Geechee lowcountry creative, improvisational vocalist, and music cultural preservationist. As the founder of The Mahoganee Xperience, she utilizes the power of “Funky Organik Soul”—a unique blend of jazz, funk, and indigenous soul—to advance cultural heritage and environmental stewardship. Her interdisciplinary work explores Afro-futurism and “time travel” to entertain, elevate, and enlighten communities through the arts.
Episode Resources & Guest Links:
April Fitzpatrick is an interdisciplinary artist, art therapist, and licensed mental health counselor. She is the founder of Pineapples with Purpose, a mobile arts and health initiative designed to support community well-being. Through her work, April utilizes the creative process to address trauma, foster resilience, and promote mental health education in underserved communities.
Episode Resources & Guest Links:
Pineapples with Purpose: pineappleswithpurpose.com