Bloomington Pioneers and Changemakers is a series that honors Black leaders who have a connection to Bloomington every February for Black History Month. These pioneers and changemakers have done so much to chart the path to where we are today and pave the way for future generations.
Video interviews with the following 2024 Pioneers and Changemakers are available on the City’s YouTube account at blm.mn/pcvids.
Teron Buford
Teron Buford is a champion of inclusion and intercultural awareness. He spent the first 10 years of his career guiding historically underrepresented high school students to and through their college admissions processes on their way to earning their undergraduate degrees. He later spent three years leading Diversity Equity and Inclusion efforts at a staffing agency in Minneapolis before joining Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota as the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
Teron helped found the Minnesota Alliance of Officials of Color, formerly served on the Board of People Serving People (the homeless shelter he lived in when he moved to Minneapolis) and currently serves as the DEI Chair on the board of a charter school in Bloomington/Richfield. Teron and his family are Bloomington residents.
Kenneth White
Kenneth White has spent the last 20 years in education working for various TRIO Upward Bound programs, with the last five years being at Normandale Community College. TRIO UB is a college access program that provides support to high school students who are first-generation college students and/or financially underprivileged. Kenneth, a TRIO UB alumnus himself, understands the barriers facing students who strive for a post-secondary education and empowers students to break through those barriers.
He is also a major advocate for STEM careers, using his degree in information technology and management to expose students to a variety of STEM careers and teach them about robotics and programming. Kenneth is also highly involved in his state professional organization, Minnesota TRIO, as technology chair and an elected member-at-large on the executive board.
Chris Peterson
Chris Peterson is retired military veteran with 27 years of service who is currently working at Normandale Community College.
As a member of Minnesota State Indigenous Men and Men of Color and the BIPOC Employee Resource Group co-chair at Normandale, Chris loves to extend a helping hand to all who seek one. This includes assisting with the City’s first Juneteenth event in 2023, setting up pop-up museums on campus, raising money for juvenile diabetes and assisting with the Army Family Readiness Group. Chris has always believed that “history has been made and the future is in our hands.” That is why he loves to be a mentor to all, just like he was mentored by the community leaders, teachers, and staff workers growing up.
Ifeanyi Howard Odor
Ifeanyi Howard Odor has been with Normandale Community College for 24 years in the Advising Counseling and Career Center advocating on behalf of students. He was hired in 2000 in Student Support Services as part of the TRIO program with a team of advisors who work with low-income, first-generation students.
In addition to Ifeanyi’s duties as a retention specialist, he serves as the international student advisor for students with an F1 Visa. Ifeanyi came to America from Nigeria as an international student in 1989. He knows how it feels to leave everything behind and start over in a new country and culture. He has lived and worked in Bloomington since 1989. With his wife, Pamela, he raised his kids here. They went through Bloomington Public Schools. He also serves on the Bloomington Police Department’s Multicultural Advisory Committee, which he has done for more than four years.
Tynika Smith
Tynika Smith is a Bloomington resident and a mother to four kids. She has four jobs at US Bank, Cedar Kindercare, Spencer’s and Bloomington Public Schools. Tynika has been doing what she loves for years now, providing support to the unhoused community throughout the Twin Cities. She’s made friends with a lot of them, who affectionately call her Mrs. T. If they’re uprooted and evicted, they still stay in contact with Tynika and reach out to let her know where they are. Tynika wants people to know that people who are unhoused are humans who shouldn’t be judged. Tynika will continue to support them with donations until she reaches her goal of opening a free store people can come to to get items they need. “The help from the community is awesome the outpouring of love is one of a kind. I’m very blessed to be able to help do what I can, when I can,” Tynika said.
Tiffany Blackwell
Tiffany Blackwell, a Bloomington resident of fourteen years, has been at the helm of VIP Hair and Nails for over three decades. In downtown Minneapolis, her business is one of the longest standing and largest BIPOC-owned cosmetology service salon. Beyond her salon’s doors, Tiffany’s spirit of community service shines brightly. Her commitment to giving back has seen her sponsor numerous initiatives, from Girl Scouts events to various civic and public health campaigns.
This ethos was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Minnesota Department of Health featured her and her salon in the “Make an Impact” campaign, spotlighting their efforts to foster COVID safety awareness and support other business owners across the state through challenging times. The University of Minnesota has also honored her as one of the “Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things,” a testament to her quiet yet profound impact on the community.
Wendy Puckett
Wendy, a Bloomington Public Schools alum, embarked upon the journey of entrepreneurship with a desire to own something for herself and her family. Her restaurant, Wendy’s House of Soul, has been supported by community members, with the SoulRoll being the signature item that keeps customers coming back. Wendy is proud to have an African-American-woman-owned business and of being a veteran and single mother. She gained national attention when she was featured on The Cooking Channel show “Food Paradise.” The magic happens in the kitchen, but it doesn’t stop there. Chef Wendy uses her skills to give back. She cooks up free meals for kids on the north side of Minneapolis. At her restaurant, there’s a pay it forward system. If a customer doesn’t have the cash, it’s covered.
Lee Davis
As a mortgage loan officer at US Bank serving the Bloomington and Minneapolis areas, Lee works to help find the right mortgage for each buyer’s unique situation. Homebuying education is a passion of Lee’s no matter what stage of the process a buyer is in.
Lee has also served on the Welcome to Bloomington Committee and provided valuable feedback and support for the committee’s initiatives. He works to advance racial equity in the housing industry and partners with nonprofits to host pathway to home ownership events for BIPOC community members. He is focused on building bridges and is well respected in the community.
Timmy Nguyen
Timmy is a licensed school counselor who recently served in the role of career and college counselor at John F. Kennedy High School. His professional commitment revolves around guiding students through the intricate process of exploring opportunities in post-secondary education and career development. Timmy’s dedication lies in overcoming potential obstacles that students may encounter along their journey. He firmly believes in the inherent potential of every student to achieve success, recognizing that each individual’s path to success varies. Timmy’s objective is to discern and nurture each student’s distinctive path. He aims to offer unwavering, constructive support to every student, fostering an environment conducive to their personal and academic growth.
Aarica Coleman
Aarica L. Coleman has over 25 years of real estate experience in various roles in both public and private sectors. Aarica was the City’s administrator of the housing and redevelopment authority until June 2024. She is now the president of Land Bank Twin Cities. Aarica leads with the philosophy that housing is a basic human right. She has always had a passion and commitment to social and reparative justice through real estate.
Group awards
On the One music festival
Chadwick “Niles” Phillips, founder of the Avant Garde, and Parks and Recreation’s Leah Hughes and Mark Morrison.
Juneteenth celebration
Church of Life Ministries (Pastor Joe Brown, Pastor Sam Nero and Public Health
Nurse Afaf Saleh) and the Juneteenth planning committee.
