Cordell Carter, Esq. is a distinguished leader and advocate in the fields of education/leadership development, belonging, and community engagement. As the CEO of the Carson Scholars Fund, he has dedicated his career to fostering academic excellence and providing scholarships to talented young individuals across the United States. His commitment to educational equity is further exemplified through his role as the founding director of the Aspen Institute Project on Belonging, where he champions initiatives that promote inclusivity and a sense of belonging in diverse communities. He is also the founder of the Festival of the Diaspora, a Medellin, CO based convener of leaders from across the Americas. In January 2025, the City of Tacoma, Washington, honored Carter with a Key to the City, recognizing his significant contributions to national and global discussions surrounding belonging. This accolade reflects his influence and the impact of his work on various communities, emphasizing the importance of creating environments where individuals feel valued and accepted. Carter's expertise and dedication have also earned him a prestigious appointment by President Biden as a Commissioner to the President’s Commission on the White House Fellowship. In this role, he contributes to the development of future leaders by identifying and nurturing talented individuals who are committed to public service. His previous recognition by President Obama as a Champion of Change for Computer Science Education highlights his advocacy for integrating technology and computer science into education, ensuring that underserved communities have access to critical resources and opportunities. As a sought-after speaker, Cordell Carter travels extensively, sharing his insights on belonging, education, and community development with audiences worldwide. His ability to engage and inspire diverse groups makes him a prominent voice in discussions about social progress, geopolitical strategy and acceleration of economic opportunities for all. In addition to his leadership roles, Carter actively contributes to various organizations as a board member. He serves on the boards of Concordia, Oasis Fresh Markets, Mendoza Impact Fund, Quantum Corridor, and Orbit Capital, where he helps guide strategic initiatives that align with his mission of fostering inclusive growth and innovation. His involvement with these organizations underscores his commitment to leveraging resources and partnerships to drive positive change in communities.

Federico Gutiérrez is serving as the Mayor of Medellín for the second time. and his recognition and popularity among the people of Medellín and many Colombians are the result of a life dedicated to public service. Politics as a way to find solutions to social problems and public service as a tool to help people has been Mayor Gutiérrez’s life project. He has never stopped walking the streets and studying the realities of the city and the country, listening to its citizens, gathering proposals from various social sectors, and thinking about how to contribute to the transformations demanded by today’s Colombia. He wants to continue working for Colombia and its regions to seek peace for families and opportunities for progress for everyone through a governance model based on citizen trust, institutional solidity, and teamwork among the public sector, private sector, academia, and civil society, without class antagonisms or hatred.

Jevin D. Hodge is a prominent community and business leader in Arizona. Professionally, Hodge is Director of National Engagement and Partnerships for LINK Strategic Partners, an international consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. Leading operations from Phoenix, Hodge works with community partners and clients around the world to maximize social impact by governments, non-profits, and businesses. His clients have included the District of Columbia, the City of Brownsville (TX), Guilford County (NC), the Austin Independent School District (TX), the Citi Open Tennis Tournament, Lyft, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership, College Success Arizona, Newfields & the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the UK Town & Gown Association, and other impact-focused organizations. Hodge is focused on community leadership throughout Arizona. He serves as President and Chairman of the Board for the Booker T. Washington Child Development Center, the longest running Head Start school in the state. BTW provides early childhood education and other critical services to nearly a thousand low-income families at 35 sites around Phoenix. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for Jewish Child and Family Services, an integrated mental and physical health center with several locations across Maricopa County, and as an advisor to the Arizona Director of Public Safety. Hodge received the City of Tempe’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Award, the East Valley NAACP’s Roy Wilkins Service Award for Lifetime Achievement, Grambling State University’s MLK Award, and Maricopa County NAACP’s Next Gen Trailblazer Award. He has also received industry awards for his national and international consulting work at LINK Strategic Partners. A sought-after speaker locally and nationally on business, civics, and leadership, he delivers keynote remarks at national conferences, including the American Constitution Society and National Head Start Association. Hodge is regularly asked to comment on issues relating to Arizona government, education, and politics, appearing in local and national media outlets. He is deeply politically engaged, having served as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, leader of a major political party in Arizona, and Congressional nominee in one of America’s closest and most watched federal races, and has led efforts to secure millions of dollars in bond and override funding for Arizona schools. The oldest son of a single mom, Hodge grew up in public housing in Tempe, Arizona. He is a graduate of HeadStart, and The George Washington University in D.C.

Hola, soy Zuly Peláez, diseñadora floral y fundadora de Rosa Púrpura Taller Floral y Eventos. Orgullosamente chocoana, nací en Istmina, Chocó, y aunque llevo más de 28 años viviendo en Medellín, sigo sintiéndome tan chocoana como un “pastel de arroz o un arroz bochinche”. Mi formación académica incluye Administración de Empresas de la Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de las Américas y Licenciatura en Educación Primaria de la UdeA. Aunque mi pasión por el diseño floral es empírica, siempre he estado apasionada por ayudar y servir a los demás. A lo largo de mi carrera, he desempeñado roles diversos, desde docente hasta Jefe de Facturación y Cartera en una Agencia de Aduanas. También fui Asistente de Dirección en una Agencia de Comunicaciones y Relaciones Públicas, y Directora de Arte en la revista IMPACTO bajo la dirección de mi amiga Nathalia Zarama. Un día decidí dejar atrás todo eso para perseguir mi verdadera pasión: crear Rosa Púrpura Taller Floral y Eventos. Como mujer negra, estoy orgullosa de mi herencia africana y agradezco a Dios por ello. Además, soy madre de Mariana y Salomé, y una mujer alegre, luchadora y apasionada. Creo firmemente en Dios, la disciplina y la perseverancia. Me encanta traducir los sueños de mis clientes en lenguaje floral y compartir mi conocimiento con los demás. Ser semifinalista del Concurso para Emprendedoras Afrocolombianas en proceso de crecimiento, organizado por la Incubadora para Emprendedores Sociales Casa Innovation, me llevó a mi nuevo proyecto como Gerente de Casa Innovation y miembro del comité organizador del Festival Of the Diaspora. En Casa Innovation, una corporación dedicada a empoderar a emprendedores sociales subestimados, promuevo el desarrollo sostenible a través de la capacitación, conexión y co-creación. Además, soy becaria de la Tercera Cohorte del programa “Liderando Colombia 2050” creado por Colfuturo y The Aspen Institute.