Who We Are

We believe in direct advocacy working alongside marginalized communities

Board of Directors | Community Organizing Leadership Team

An Intersectional Community

Stand in for Nebraska’s Community Organizing Leadership Team (COLT) self-identify as community advocates and human rights ambassadors for the organization.

To best advance human rights and justice alongside multi-marginalized communities in Nebraska while dismantling systemic oppressions, Stand in for Nebraska Community Leadership Team enacts a diverse, shared, and supportive leadership model.

Our Values

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Personal Integrity

We believe in remaining mindful, de-centering ego, and practicing self-care and healing to remain resilient, build stamina, and be effective.

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Relational Integrity

We believe in the value of listening to the most vulnerable, protecting our community, and using sensitive approaches to our work with others.

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Organizational Integrity

We engage in courageous and responsive leadership, celebrate innovative initiative, and lead with a passionate focus to get work done.

Our Vision

We believe in direct advocacy working alongside marginalized communities.

Stand in for Nebraska (SIFN) is a 501(c)3 grassroots organization that human rights and justice alongside multi-marginalized communities.

Through direct advocacy featuring education, community-enhancing projects, and policy work, SIFN strives to work, in deep and unyielding collaboration, toward realizing ML King Jr’s unrealized “Beloved Community” vision.

As explained by The King Center, the memorial institution founded by Coretta Scott King to further the goals of Martin Luther King:

Dr. King’s Beloved Community is a global vision in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth. In the Beloved Community, poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards of human decency will not allow it. Racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood.

Stand in for Nebraska is led by a diverse group of Board of Directors and community organizers who help mobilize and guide Community Organizing Circles (COCs).

Dr. Belinda Acosta

My first-people ancestors are the Huichol from what is now known as the central highlands of Mexico.

Schmeeka Grayer Simpson

We can think of no better representative than Schmeeka to advance our work at the national level .

Phyllis Stone

Her love of education and teaching excellence manifested new opportunities for community leadership and matriarchal innovation.

Cheri Stollar

We implicitly trust Cheri’s wisdom, her goodness, and authenticity. Standing in her truth and light.

Dr. Anh Le

All of her work arcs toward helping build the Beloved Community through personal and community wellness and healing.

Dr Stephanie Bondi

Stephanie and her family have been baseline voices and supporters of human rights and justice in Nebraska.

Freedom Thompson

Freedom is among the most expansively gifted, connecting, and nurturing humans we know.

Jason Witmer

He is a rare man, and yet, his loving and ascending energies are deeply felt and impactful.

John Cartier

John has walked unflinchingly alongside our grassroots-developing non-profit organization and offered invaluable ...

Susan Alleman

Beyond her deeply felt and respected professional investments, Susan loves with her whole being.

Yolanda Nuncio

Yolanda became a protesting voice in a rally and march led by legendary Civil Rights activist, Caesar Chavez.