Celebrating Two CLA Alumni Named 2026 Bush Fellows
We’re thrilled to announce that two of our CLA alumni, Amirthini Keefe and José Antonio Zayas Cabán, have been named 2026 Bush Fellows. Archie and Edyth Bush established the Bush Foundation in 1953 with a mission to “do the most possible good for the community.” Today we see this effort carried on by investing in Keefe and Cabán, two innovators whose human-centric work creates lasting change.
This fellowship is about inspiring creative problem-solving and supporting the people who bring these ideas to life. Let’s meet two of this year’s 30 recipients and see how they’re working towards a safer, more connected tomorrow.
The path to healing is often non-linear, and the support many people need is far from one-size-fits-all.
Keefe’s vision as executive director of the Domestic Abuse Project in Minneapolis is to offer survivors of domestic abuse a variety of resources to support their individual journeys towards safety and healing. Her experience working directly with children and adults navigating complex trauma and hardships in various phases has helped guide her actions towards a community-wide approach rather than a clinical model. Keefe sees value in holistic healing alongside accountability, and sometimes that means creating options that don’t solely rely on the criminal justice system.
When injustice divides communities, those most affected deserve to lead the solutions.
Cabán follows this mission in his work as the executive director of Our Streets, an organization dedicated to putting people first by transforming how infrastructure and transportation wind through the Twin Cities. When displacement, disinvestment, and infrastructure choices harm communities, Cabán’s efforts to repair what was divided involve working alongside artists, residents, and partners. Cultural storytelling and grassroots organizing are woven into his work, and it all points to a more connected and accessible place to call home.
