Bukata Hayes
Co-Founder
Bukata Hayes… The most important thing about me is that I am the son of Dia Damani and Karen Hayes, husband to Lisa and father to Damani, Jalen, Zavier, and Zuri. In addition to this, he has served as the Executive Director of a non-profit focused on diversity, inclusion and equity in Southern Minnesota since September, 2006. In this role, he spearheads the organization’s efforts to include ALL across various dimensions of differences. He oversees all programs, initiatives, partnerships and events for the organization that annually impact approximately 20,000 youth and adults across Southern Minnesota and the state. Additionally, he facilitates systems change processes, organization culture change, anti-racism work and inclusion/equity initiatives with K-12 school districts, higher education, community organizations, for-profit businesses and governmental agencies. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. He has membership and/or is on the board of numerous organizations across Minnesota.
Email me: buhayes@gmail.com
Stacy Wells
Co-Founder
Stacy Wells is a dedicated educator and equity thought leader with a variety of professional experiences, including leadership in the public and private sector; elementary and middle school teacher; K-12 district wide administrator; and higher education faculty. Her areas of specialty include teacher preparation, curriculum writing, and leadership development and coaching embedded in cultural competence and equity. She has presented research and conducted workshops on culturally responsive pedagogy, diversity, and cross-cultural leadership. She earned her B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Drake University, and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Thomas. She has 25 years of training and facilitation experience, and is an IDI Qualified Administrator.
Email me: swellmn@gmail.com