JEDI Advisory Council

Advisory Council Purpose

The Purpose of the advisory council is to promote the education and training of WITW staff and ongoing training for existing PEER Specialists through the Minnesota Certification Board.

Member’s role is to provide input at council meetings related to topics on cultural diversity training, and culturally specific education in the grant-identified areas including Hispanic, Native American, Somali, African American, Karen, and Hmong, to promote new and existing Certified Peer Recovery Specialists.  Members will share ideas, content suggestions, and resources and assist with coordinating with the Director of Culture and Community Engagement. 

They will discuss strategies focused on diverse communities and implement strategies to reduce any barriers.  Evaluate cultural responsiveness training needs, speakers, and topics relevant to applicants and certified professionals, and review them following the MCB standards. Identify with the Director of Culture & Community Engagement, subject matter expertise to partner within diverse communities.

 

If you would like to become a member of the council, please email victor at victor@mnwitw.org

 
 
 

Noura Ahmed, Vice President | Program Manager

Noura Ahmed is a Program manager working at New Hope for Immigrants, where she coordinates cross-project activities and leads evaluation project managers and other staff. She manages/collaborates with a team in the New American community.

Noura Ahmed is passionate about working with New American communities since she is first generation immigrant. Also, she enjoys volunteering anywhere and anyhow. She's trustworthy, dedicated, hardworking, and responsible, which leads to exceptional outcomes. She aims to help her community with their social well-being and self-sufficiency through education, employment, and social support. Noura enjoys traveling worldwide, watching Netflix, and painting when she's not working.

Deanna StandingCloud is a citizen of the Red Lake Nation of Anishinaabe. StandingCloud is currently providing consulting services to her community. Within the past year, she hald the role as Community Relations Specialist Tribal Liaison with UnitedHealthcare Community & State Plan of Minnesota. StandingCloud has been collaboratively working in the community for many years. Recently, she was accepted into the All My Relations Native Authors Program with the Native American Community Development Institute, working on Anishinaabe-centric works for children and young adults. She is the go-to person to host events in the Twin Cities community, including the Native RISE annual fundraiser and the Minnesota Indian Education Association conference in 2023. She has also been recently crafting audio storytelling pieces with Minnesota Native News.

She is a mother, playwright, organizer, artist, community leader, pow wow emcee, and advocate for Indigenous people. Deanna enjoys spending time with her children Breanna, Nigozis, and Ziigwan, her puppy Benny. And attending traditional ceremonies, going on nature walks, creating art, building community, and cooking yummy food.

Cecelia is a descendant of slaves and the founder and executive director of StartAnew, which focuses on BIPOC women and girls who have been justice-impacted and/or survivors of incarceration. She is also part owner of Sister-Empowered which is a social enterprise committed to increasing equality in the BIPOC community by increasing awareness and access to valuable community resources by hosting ExPOs in the community; and creating safe and knowledgeable spaces to get the necessary opportunities that promote equitable lifestyle choices for all.

Cecelia brings over twenty years of life experience and work experience to both of her organizations. Cecelia has a BA from Metropolitan State University. She currently serves on the board of Advisory Task Force on Justice Involved Women and Girls and is active in her church bringing resources to the community. Cecelia is currently hosting a podcast called BOOMxZ, which discusses things that are going on in the African-American community from the views of Boomers, Generation X, Y, and Z.

“When I knew better, I did better.” ~Maya Angelou

Certifications

  • Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

  • Forensic Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

  • WRAP I Facilitator

  • Nonviolent Conflict Resolution Facilitator

  • Certified Family Peer Specialist

 
 

My name is Pedro and I am an immigrant from Mexico. Raised in America since a baby, so I know more English than Spanish. I also identify and am part of the LGBTQ+ community. Currently pursuing my bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice.

Khou Vang is a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist and Mental Health Peer Specialist. Khou is currently working as a Health Navigator for MN Community Care, he also works as CPRS/Recovery Coach for MN Adult Teen Challenge. He is the founder of Sober Cycling Group. He has been sober for over 6yrs, and recently just got married in April of this year. His passion is for the Recovery community and sharing his testimony giving hope and encouragement to others.