Evynn Richardson, 23, Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, North Carolina

Native Youth Grant Maker, Native Americans in Philanthropy

Ksé:hahiyé Evynn Richardson is a proud citizen of the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe of Hollister, NC and adopted Kiowa of Oklahoma. Being extremely dedicated to uplifting Native youth based services and initiatives, she served on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee as both the Southeastern Representative and the Vice-President for 3 consecutive years, the inaugural cohort for CNAY’s Remembering Our Sisters fellowship, and the third cohort of Native Youth Grantmakers through Native Americans in Philanthropy. Through these communities Evynn has been able to uplift culturally relevant wellness practices, encourage youth to take holistic based approaches to problem solving within their communities, and advocate for healing and justice when it comes to the MMIP epidemic. When she is not plugged into these spaces, Evynn is using her platform, The Medicine Kid, to provide artwork for individuals, tribes, and organizations across Indian Country. By utilizing her artistic gifts she has been able to build a MMIP art advocacy toolkit, donate funds towards Native youth scholarships, help generate revenue for tribal initiatives, and is currently working on a free archive of MMIP artwork for public use. It is her hope that the work she does will inspire others to utilize their gifts to give back to their communities in whatever ways possible. “If you want to know what your purpose is, all you have to do is ask yourself how you will feed the people.”

Gianni Lacey-Howard, 24, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, North Carolina

Bachelor of Arts in Medical Sociology; Minor in Chemistry and Highest Distinction, Duke University

Gianni Lacey-Howard is an enrolled citizen of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation in North Carolina. She graduated from Duke University in 2023, earning a B.A. in Medical Sociology with a Minor in Chemistry and Highest Distinction. During her time at Duke, she held numerous leadership, scholarship, and fellowship roles, including involvement with the Nu Chapter of Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc., the Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance, Cardea Fellows, Benjamin N. Duke Scholars, and the QuestBridge National College Match Scholars program.Beyond the classroom, Gianni has remained deeply engaged in Indigenous leadership and advocacy through her work with Native Americans in Philanthropy Youth Grantmaking, the Native Voices Rising Advisory Council, the Native American Jump Start Ambassador Program, We Are Healers Community Circle, and the National Council of Urban Indian Health Youth Advisory Council. She has also conducted and presented award winning research in emergency medicine, Native and Indigenous health, epidemiology, and medical sociology. Her work reflects a strong commitment to community organizing, advocacy, and investing in the well-being of Native people. Gianni plans to pursue a career in medicine, with the goal of serving Indigenous communities while advancing culturally grounded approaches to healing and well-being.