JJ Singh Kapur

JJ Kapur began his interfaith work in Iowa in high school. He started a youth organization called “The Turbanators,” which focused on “turban-ating” the negative stigma surrounding Sikhism through awareness building and community service. In 2017, he became the first turbaned Sikh to win the most prestigious high school speech and debate competition in the U.S.  JJ graduated from Stanford University with Honors and Distinction in Theater and Performance Studies and a minor in Psychology. He returned to his hometown of Des Moines as an AmeriCorps Lead for America Fellow, where he served with CultureALL to help Iowans build bridges with their diverse neighbors by cultivating a human library across his home state called “Open Book.” JJ is embarking on a new chapter of his life by pursuing a PhD in Counseling Psychology at the University of Iowa.

Zach Mecham

Zach Mecham is a disabled entrepreneur, filmmaker, and self-appointed martyr. At 22 years old he was working two part-time jobs, going to school full-time, and serving as the interim preacher at his church. That is, until his lungs gave out on him.

Since then, Zach has started his own business and learned the life-changing power of the word “no.” He currently helps amplify the voices of mission-driven organizations through digital media marketing. Sometimes he also makes silly things and posts them on the internet.

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