Pioneers and changemakers celebrated

More than 120 people gathered at Zawadi Center, 1701 American Blvd. E., in February to celebrate the 2024 Bloomington Pioneers and Changemakers and previous year’s honorees. In celebration of Black History Month, the series features Black leaders who have a connection to Bloomington and who have worked to advance civil rights and remove barriers to equity.

Ten community members—Teron Buford, Kenny White, Chris Peterson, Ifeanyi Howard Odor, Tynika Smith, Tiffany Blackwell, Wendy Puckett, Lee Davis, Timmy Nguyen and Bloomington’s HRA Administrator Aarica Coleman—were honored as either a Pioneer or a Changemaker this year. Two groups were also honored as Pioneers for their work on the On the One Music Festival and the City’s Juneteenth event. During the event, former Bloomington Community Development Director Karla Henderson was named a 2024 Pioneer and Changemaker. You can watch video features of past years’ honorees on the City’s YouTube channel at blm.mn/pioneers.