Shanaé Holman

Age: 32
Lead Organizer
Topeka JUMP

Shanae’ Holman has helped Topeka JUMP, the grassroots community organization focused on seeking justice for marginalized groups, to engage in change in Shawnee County. Shanae’ collaborated with community stakeholders to pursue a solution to limited public transit systems through the implementation of SOTO and NETO programs. She is currently engaging support for the Gun Violence Intervention to reduce homicide rates.

Leading through El Shaddai Ministries Community Church, Shanae’ serves as a minister and outreach director to organize food giveaways, block parties and school supply drives. She helps mentor future leaders in the Leader Feeder Lunch program at Scott Magnet Dual Language Program. Shanae’ is part of the inaugural class of Power 50, a leadership development program that creates liberated spaces for women of color who are community leaders to transform their dreams into real change and was selected to attend Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative in 2019.

“I walk in the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and
I hope to leave a legacy that organizers who come after
me can live out for the common good of the people.”

Who is your hero?
The strongest woman I know, is my Mother. She instilled in me the values I work hard to impart into my little girl, every day—work ethic, integrity and strong-will.

What is your theme song?
My theme song is “When You Believe” by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston from the Prince of Egypt Soundtrack. The mantra of a movement like so many of my ancestors have built before me: “There can be miracles when you believe. Though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill.”