Moderator

Krystal Fox

Krystal Fox is basically a native Nebraskan who believes in the potential of our city and state to be welcoming and inclusive places for all people. She earned her Bachelors in Political Science with a minor in African American History. This focus is woven throughout all the work she does. Krystal currently works at Omaha Pathways HUB, a part of the Omaha Community Foundation, focused on supporting systemic healthcare coverage change, as the Operations Manager. She is able to use her skills in project management, budget and grant administration, and process development to help meet the goals of the organization.

Krystal spends a lot of her personal time volunteering with organizations that focus on improving opportunities for civic engagement and voter engagement. She loves working in a community that is focused on creating positive social change and is always looking to learn new skills to be an impactful change agent. Currently, she serves as the Co-Director for Social Policy with the League of Women Voters and the Vice President of DEIB for Junior League of Omaha. Krystal has also served as Tour Manager for the last 3 years to the Face-to-Face with Black History Tour. Krystal is also in the process of founding the Youth Civic Engagement Academy focused on ensuring Youth voices are a part of the civic landscape.

When Krystal isn't volunteering she's reading or watching movies because she loves a good story!

Panelist

Jade Rogers

Jade R. Rogers is a historian, professor, and Founder of The House of Afros, Capes, & Curls, dedicated to celebrating Black history and culture. A passionate gamer and storyteller, she explores themes of Afrofuturism and is recognized as a Marvel Super Fan by Good Morning America. As an adjunct professor at area institutions, she focuses on African American and African Diasporic history.

With experience as an oral historian and archivist, Jade also consults on documentaries, theater productions, and board games. Through The House, she builds a community centered around science fiction, fantasy, comics, and geek culture, offering a space to explore these interests through a Black cultural lens.

Panelist

Marcus Ross

Marcus Ross (and cousin Kit Ryan) started Water Bear Games in 2012, a design studio with a focus on creating fully engaging tabletop experiences. Their published catalog includes fan favorite titles Discount Salmon, BEEEEES! and Letter GO!

Marcus’ most recent work was The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game (a co-design with Jay Little) for Ravensburger.

In addition to design, Marcus is a frequent volunteer with Omaha-based non-profits Spielbound and The House of Afros, Capes and Curls. He’s also a contributor to Our Family Plays Games channel offering tips on game prototyping and practical ways to create common game elements. You can keep up with him on Bluesky and on X (formally known as Twitter) at @marcusross.

Panelist

Julia Parker

Julia J. Parker has worked in both the public and private sector in community development and impact investing.

After stints working in the US Senate and with the City of Omaha, Julia started her nonprofit career at a nonprofit incubator supporting organizations focused on educational outcomes for children experiencing the violence of poverty. Julia also served as Executive Director of Omaha Small Business Network (OSBN) a community development entity focused on microlending. She went on to start a nonprofit strategy consultancy, Park4029, through which she works with emerging loan funds such as Boston Ujima Project in Boston and New Economy Fund in New York.

Julia has a passion for investing in BIPOC entrepreneurs and business owners which she did as Director of Economic Development at Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation a Boston area CDFI. Julia previously served as Managing Director at The Crane Institute for Sustainability’s Intentional Endowments Network. Julia went on to serve as Senior Investments Manager at Connect Humanity, a nonprofit lender focused on digital equity.

Julia currently serves as Chief Lending and Impact Officer at Appalachian Community Capital, a CDFI intermediary operating in 13 states and home to the Green Bank for Rural America.

Julia holds a BA in Political Science and a BA in International Relations from Creighton University and a MS in Urban Studies from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Julia has an MBA from Boston College Carroll School of Management.