The McKnight Foundation, in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Foundations, announces seven Minnesotans as recipients of the 2024 Virginia McKnight Binger Heart of Community Honor.

Previously known as the Unsung Hero Awards, the revamped program increases the number of awards to recognize more individuals across the state.

The honor is named for Virginia McKnight Binger—the Foundation’s first board chair and the daughter of McKnight’s founders—and celebrates everyday champions whose compassion and contributions serve as the heartbeat of Minnesota communities. Including this year’s group, this honor has recognized 326 Minnesotans since 1995. Each recipient receives a $10,000 cash award and is recognized at a reception at McKnight the Foundation.

This year’s honorees are:

• Zenebech Aly, Southeast region
• Naima Dhore, Central region
• Yoke-Sim Gunaratne, West Central region
• Lynn Mizner, Northeast region
• Kevin Reese, Metro region
• Aida Simon, Southwest region
• Eman Yassin, West Central region

Meet The Honorees

“It is a joy to recognize these individuals who demonstrate empathetic leadership and the commitment it takes to build strong communities where all people belong and can contribute to a stronger future. These seven leaders represent the heart of their communities, showing up every day with generosity, compassion, and conviction to create more caring and connected Minnesota”

—Tonya Allen, présidente de la Fondation McKnight

Zenebech Aly

Zenebech Aly consistently demonstrates selflessness, dedication, and a commitment to making a positive impact in Rochester. She has volunteered thousands of hours to remove barriers for newcomers through the Ethiopian Community Rochester Minnesota organization. She designed and leads a crisis response program that provides stabilizing support for families. She also translates materials, assists people in finding employment, and supervises a youth-led program that helps young people understand civic responsibilities and navigate college and career paths. Peers say that she operates quietly behind the scenes, leading by example with the utmost integrity.

Naïma Dhore

Naima Dhore is the first Somali female farmer in the country to own farmland and the first Somali female certified organic farmer. She is passionate about improving local food systems and increasing accessibility to culturally diverse foods. Her farm in Isanti County plays a pivotal role in addressing food scarcity in rural communities. Her commitment to creating a more sustainable and inclusive food system spans both rural and urban farming and encourages diverse communities to learn from one another. Her peers say she is a pivotal force in driving legislative efforts to raise awareness about the challenges faced by small, emerging farmers in Minnesota. They also note that she is a fierce advocate for engaging teens in food justice work and a champion of farming practices that heal the earth.

Yoke-Sim Gunaratne

Yoke-Sim Gunaratne has empowered countless individuals, strengthened communities, and inspired people to embrace diversity and equity across the globe. When the nonprofit organization Cultural Diversity Resources formed in the Moorhead-Fargo area in 1994, Yoke-Sim took charge as the organization’s executive director and has been at the helm ever since, developing programs to support employment, financial literacy, diversity education, bilingual interpreter services, and nonprofit management and entrepreneurship. Colleagues say that her personal journey from Malaysia to Australia to Minnesota has affirmed her understanding of the interconnectedness of global, national, and local issues and the value of giving back to communities wherever you are.

Lynn Mizner

Lynn Mizner works for food, economic and environmental justice in rural and Native communities. She opens her 200-acre regenerative farm frequently to visitors and students to provide education about food sovereignty and the impact of climate change. In addition to her farming and activism work, Lynn is a freelance writer on food and environmental justice issues. She also organizes in response to environmental threats, sharing her experience as a former Department of Natural Resources scientist and planner. Her peers say that she always shows up when brave testimony and leadership are needed on pressing issues. They note that her gentle but effective style is rooted in true love for rural and Native communities and in an understanding of the challenges of farming and food security.

Kevin Reese

Kevin Reese is a lifeline for incarcerated community members and their families. As executive director of Until We All Are Free, he helps individuals returning home from incarceration build important skills that promote stability and prevent recidivism. He also works with policymakers to imagine new systems of accountability for people who do harm. Having worked with Voices for Racial Justice before his own release from prison, he understands the impact supportive services can have. His peers say his lived experience and contributions are a testament to what is possible when resources are invested in people in incarceration before they return home. Colleagues say that his authentic leadership style brings critical thinking and candor to the justice system.

Aïda Simon

Aida Simon is a persevering community leader who has worked for more than two decades to address the challenges immigrant, refugee, and migrant communities face in rural Minnesota. Over the years, Aida has responded to many crises facing the diverse communities of Worthington and beyond. She is continuously mobilizing with other community volunteers and organizations, including during the recent flooding in Worthington; the 2020 COVID pandemic, which greatly impacted meat packing plant workers; and the 2006 ICE raids that left the children of more than 200 meat packing plant workers home alone. Aida translates for and educates elders on health access and operates a local youth group through Minnesota Seeds of Justice, a nonprofit she founded to bring essential resources to communities in need. Her peers say Aida is quick to show up and slow to take credit.

Eman Yassin

Eman Yassin is a tireless advocate for immigrants, refugees, and others living on the margins in the Fargo-Moorhead area. An immigrant from Iraq who came to the U.S. with few possessions, she believes education is the path to success. She earned an associate’s degree and then a bachelor’s degree in social work. She has applied her knowledge to assist other newly arriving people in her community. Her colleagues say she walks alongside people to deliver what they need, be it support to complete paperwork or to obtain housing, food, clothing, or mental health services. They also note that she does her work with grace, dignity, compassion, and pride in being a Moorhead resident.

À propos de la fondation McKnight

La McKnight Foundation, une fondation familiale basée au Minnesota, propose un avenir plus juste, créatif et abondant où les gens et la planète s'épanouiront. Créée en 1953, la Fondation McKnight est profondément engagée dans l'avancement des solutions climatiques dans le Midwest; construire un Minnesota équitable et inclusif; et soutenir les arts au Minnesota, les neurosciences et la recherche internationale sur les cultures.

About The Virginia McKnight Binger Heart of Community

Originally called the Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service and later the Unsung Hero Awards, the honor has recognized 319 people since it was first presented in 1985. The honor is named for Virginia McKnight Binger, the Foundation’s first board chair and the only daughter of McKnight’s founders. Mrs. Binger passed away in 2002, and this award helps us remember and celebrate her enduring legacy of compassion, humility, and generosity.  Learn more about the awards and past recipients here.

About The Minnesota Council on Foundations

The Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF) is a vibrant philanthropic community connecting, strengthening and mobilizing the power of philanthropy to advance prosperity and equity. MCF connects collaborative groups through peer learning and networks, leadership development, and partnerships; mobilizes the sector through government relations, public policy, intermediary work, and pooled funds; and strengthens individuals through events and training, research and publications, tools, and resources.

McKnight partners with MCF to administer the Virginia McKnight Heart of Community Honor.

Vidéos produites par Adja Gildersleve.