Fran Bittakis is amplifying those that too often struggle to even get made. She’s the Founder & Creative Director of JOOP JOOP Creative, a studio that takes pride in being a platform for the voices it works with.

Salimatu Amabebe is a Nigerian-American chef and the creator of vegan-based food and event company Bliss House, which hosts cooking classes, food activism talks, and vegan Nigerian pop-up dinners. Through Bliss House, Salimatu founded Black Feast, a monthly vegan pop-up dinner that celebrates black artists and writers through food. For Salimatu, food once felt like a fight they were always enduring. Now, they see it as a creative expression that infuses community storytelling for an opportunity of reflection.

To become super, heroes have to start with the basics. Two-time Eisner Award-nominated comics writer Kelly Sue DeConnick creates plights and quests for characters spanning universes—like Marvel and DC universes. Her continuation of Carol Danvers’ story in Captain Marvel, and later, her consulting role on the 2019 movie with Brie Larson, ignites a recognition among non-comics readers; but for those who collect volumes, or cosplay as the prisoners of Bitch Planet, Kelly Sue DeConnick is known as an industry veteran and a master of dialogue.

Analise has never spent more than one night outdoors. But before this summer’s over, she’ll have not only spent 10 nights outdoors, but she’ll have also backpacked 325 miles from Bend to Roseburg. As winners of the Outdoor Adventure Film Grant, Analise, along with fellow filmmakers Aly Nicklas and Meredith Meeks, will film the bold adventure across Oregon to creatively explore the barriers of accessing the wilderness when one isn’t raised with a close relationship to it.

Mohanad Elshieky is a Portland-based, Libyan-born stand-up comic who wants you to think he’s funny, but doesn’t want you getting too chummy. He likes to twist preconceived notions into punchlines, and then you’ll probably feel a little guilty about that first laugh. But don’t worry—it’s what you’re supposed to do.