Valérie Déus is a poet, film curator, radio host, and publisher.

D’Narius Lewis is building an empire based on connectivity and goodwill.

Todd Melby has written the definitive book on the movie “Fargo.”

Katrina Vandenberg writes sublime poetry and essays, and teaches at Hamline University.

Philip Bryant grew up with jazz in the air.

Peter Sieve is a writer, musician, and appreciator of delicious sandwiches.

Jon Savitt is a comedian and writer whose work has appeared on Funny Or Die, MTV, and more.

Jennifer Bowen is the founder of the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop.

Anton Treuer is a professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University and the author of 19 books.

Maria Keller is the founder of Read Indeed, which has donated more than 2 million books to kids around the world.