Allentza Michel is an urban planner, artist, public policy advocate, and researcher with extensive experience in community organizing, youth development, and human services. Raised in Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood, Allentza has 25 years of diverse experience spanning community and economic development, education, food security, public health, and transportation in both local and international contexts. Her personal and professional experiences inform her current work in civic design, community and organizational development, and social equity.

Allentza is passionate about equitable and sustainable community development, focusing on inclusive co-designed processes and social justice. From coalition building and community planning to mobility-focused policy and neighborhood revitalization, she brings a unique, holistic approach to her work. She is the founder and creative director of Powerful Pathways, an award-winning civic design lab and public interest consultancy. Over its 10-year history, Powerful Pathways has led urban planning, placekeeping, and research projects involving deep community engagement and media arts integration, serving communities that represent over 16 million people nationwide.

Allentza has also founded Mattapan Open Streets/Open Studios, an initiative bringing arts and cultural programming to the community, and Boston’s Black and Brown Creatives, a networking hub for artists of color. She co-founded the Greater Mattapan Neighborhood Council, a civic organization that mediates land use and development projects to ensure strong community benefits. Other initiatives include The Engaging Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Small Business Forum.

Allentza previously served as Program Officer for Humanities, Arts, and Culture at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, collaborating with a national arts commission of 44 prominent figures including John Lithgow, Theaster Gates, and Natasha Trethewey. Prior to that, she worked in local and state government, nonprofit organizations, and coalitions like the Fairmount Indigo Corridor Network, Dudley St. Neighborhood Initiative, and The City School. As an educator, she has taught in Boston, Malden, and Cambridge Public Schools, and currently teaches courses on racial justice and equity in policy and planning at Tufts and Northeastern Universities.

Allentza is deeply engaged in public leadership and advocacy, having co-founded several nonprofit organizations and served on numerous boards and civic groups. Notable accomplishments include co-chairing Boston’s first Participatory Budgeting Project and co-founding the award-winning Beantown Society, a youth violence prevention and leadership program. She is also a co-founder of URBAN Boston and BAMS Fest. She continues to advocate for housing, transportation, youth, and family opportunities in various capacities.

Proud of her Haitian heritage, Allentza is a committed human rights advocate for Haitians and Haitian Americans. She has supported efforts to build schools and orphanages, fundraise, and provide aid following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. In 2015, she traveled to Japan to research post-disaster reconstruction and compare best practices with Haiti. More recently, she has led a donation campaign to provide toiletries for newly arriving migrants.

Allentza holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Tufts University and two Bachelor’s degrees in English and Social and Political Systems from Pine Manor College. She has training in Civic Media and Art Practice from Emerson College, Design and Public Policy from the Rhode Island School of Design, and a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Institute of Nonprofit Practice.

Her civic work and activism have earned recognition from the Boston and Cambridge City Councils, and awards such as the 2006 Unsung Hero Award by The City School, the 2017 Love Your Block Award by the City of Boston, the 2021 Perez Prize in Civic Design and Public Art, the 2021 Forbes Next 1000, and the 2023 Hometown Hero Award by the Boston Celtics Foundation.

Allentza is multilingual, speaking English (native), Haitian Creole (native), Spanish, moderate French, and conversational Japanese. She divides her time between Boston and Los Angeles.

Kurt Faustin is a celebrated keynote speaker and the founder of The Dropout Academy, based in Boston. His journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming an award-winning public speaker is a testament to his resilience and dedication. Born on September 12, 1986, Kurt’s early experiences with authority and cultural conflicts shaped his approach to personal and professional growth.

Kurt has spoken in front of over 50,000 people, captivating audiences with his engaging and authentic style. His work has been recognized with several accolades, including the Procter & Gamble North America Inspirational Leadership Award and the Global Inspirational Leadership Award in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). He has collaborated with prestigious organizations such as Harvard University, Chase Bank, and United Way, further establishing his influence in the field.

Beyond his speaking engagements, Kurt has significantly impacted his community through the Community Cohesion Project (CCP). This initiative has successfully organized major community events, like the celebrated Juneteenth celebration, and distributed thousands of essential household items to local residents. His commitment to community service extends to his educational initiatives, where he mentors MBA students and judges business pitch competitions, nurturing the next generation of leaders.

Kurt’s profound influence is not limited to public speaking and community projects. He has also been an active participant in important cultural and social initiatives, including his role in the city’s Black Men and Boys Commission and leading mental health workshops. His recent ventures include organizing the Dropout Summit and authoring the book “Discover The 7 Lies That Keep You Mentally F**ked,” aimed at empowering individuals to overcome mental and emotional barriers.

Kurt Faustin’s story of perseverance and his commitment to fostering community and personal growth make him a beacon of motivation and leadership in the Haitian-American community and beyond.

Jeffrey Dorestant, the Director of Business Development at SMP Global Consultants, has distinguished himself as a visionary leader and an influential figure in the business community. Since joining SMP, Jeffrey has driven significant growth and innovation within the company, expanding its market reach and enhancing its reputation as a leader in innovative business solutions. His strategic prowess has led to a 30% increase in company revenue over two years, primarily through the development of key partnerships across various sectors.

Jeffrey’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in his efforts to implement programs that provide greater opportunities for underrepresented groups within the business community. His notable achievements include drafting the MWBE Participation Act Bill for the Pennsylvania Legislature, which aims to increase MWBE contract participation from 10% to 30% in Pennsylvania. He has also certified, trained, and identified opportunities for over 200 minority-owned businesses in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, helping to secure over $4 million in new revenue for these companies.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Jeffrey founded the Bosses and Brunch Business Networking Event, which has secured two multi-million-dollar public-private partnerships, creating over 500 jobs in Reading, Pennsylvania. He also partnered with financial literacy companies to develop a curriculum now taught in over 30 high schools across Pennsylvania, providing substantial earning opportunities for business owners who teach financial literacy to children in rural areas.

Jeffrey also serves as a business advisor to New York State Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte, assisting in securing over $30 million in funding for MWBEs in New York. His combination of business acumen, dedication to social impact, and visionary leadership not only defines his professional persona but also underscores his influence as a mentor and community leader in the industry.

Vanda Bernadeau, better known by her stage name Dutch ReBelle, is a prominent rapper hailing from Boston, Massachusetts. Born in Hinche, Haiti, and raised in Mattapan and Milton, Massachusetts, ReBelle’s passion for music was ignited at the young age of nine. Her professional journey in music began in college after a spontaneous rap performance on a customer’s roommate’s radio show propelled her into the spotlight.

Dutch ReBelle’s stage name, an homage to both her Haitian roots and the influential Lauryn Hill song “I Find It Hard To Say (Rebel),” captures her unique blend of cultural pride and rebellious spirit. She has graced various prestigious stages, from Boston University to the House of Blues and the Hard Rock Café. In 2014, she was honored as the Boston Music Awards’s Hip-Hop Artist of the Year and has since continued to make significant impacts on the music scene.

ReBelle’s music, known for combining sharp lyrical prowess with hard-hitting beats, has earned her performances at notable venues and events, including the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Science’s planetarium. She has also participated in significant cultural events such as Boston Cannabis Week’s music festival. Her track “Rude Boys” was featured in the popular video game Rock Band 4, broadening her audience.

A trailblazer for women in hip-hop, Dutch ReBelle has navigated the challenges of a male-dominated industry with resilience and grace, often creating her own spaces within these environments. Her work has been recognized by various media outlets, with comparisons to icons like Ghostface Killah and Lauryn Hill, and accolades for her contributions to local and international hip-hop scenes.

Dutch ReBelle’s influence extends beyond her music. She is an active member of The Recording Academy and has used her platform to advocate for more equitable opportunities within the music industry, particularly for women and artists of color.