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Nonprofit Organization
Professional Bio
Alajia McKizia is a dedicated community organizer with over eight years of experience working within equity, creativity, and cultural preservation. She is the founder of The Joy Ambition, a grassroots arts nonprofit focused on creating access to creativity as a source of healing and joy, and serves as Program Coordinator at the Kiewit Luminarium, where she develops dynamic, community-centered programming.
A recent participant in the CIRCLE YLLC Leadership cohort, Alajia brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach to her work. She launched Juneteenth JoyFest, a Black arts and culture festival that has grown from a backyard gathering to an event hosting over 1,300 attendees and generating $25,000 for Omaha’s economy, supporting Black artists and entrepreneurs. She also led placemaking efforts, such as coordinating a mural project for the North Omaha Trail, addressing environmental racism and activating public spaces.
Through projects like Sunday Soul, a series amplifying women poets, musicians, and change makers, and programs supporting seniors, Alajia bridges generational gaps and celebrates ancestral legacies. A Populus Fund Grant recipient, she continues to inspire with initiatives that honor history while envisioning a creative and equitable future. Her work exemplifies the transformative power of storytelling, leadership, and the arts to drive meaningful change.
A recent participant in the CIRCLE YLLC Leadership cohort, Alajia brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach to her work. She launched Juneteenth JoyFest, a Black arts and culture festival that has grown from a backyard gathering to an event hosting over 1,300 attendees and generating $25,000 for Omaha’s economy, supporting Black artists and entrepreneurs. She also led placemaking efforts, such as coordinating a mural project for the North Omaha Trail, addressing environmental racism and activating public spaces.
Through projects like Sunday Soul, a series amplifying women poets, musicians, and change makers, and programs supporting seniors, Alajia bridges generational gaps and celebrates ancestral legacies. A Populus Fund Grant recipient, she continues to inspire with initiatives that honor history while envisioning a creative and equitable future. Her work exemplifies the transformative power of storytelling, leadership, and the arts to drive meaningful change.
Organization
The Joy Ambition
Nonprofit Organization