20 Under 40 | NEYSSA NUNEZ
In 2012, Neyssa founded Little Girls Hair, a nonprofit focused on educating families about natural hair care and the cultural significance of hair. In partnership with the Black Student Union at Washburn University, Neyssa founded the “Don’t Touch My Hair Event” that raised awareness, donations, and won the University Diversity Award in 2022.
Neyssa served two terms in the AmeriCorps program at Harvesters — The Community Food Network. After her term of service ended, Neyssa joined the full-time staff. She has partnered with Black owned businesses to launch the Harvesters Natural Hair Care Dignity Kit in Topeka.
As a member of the Temple of Deliverance Church of God and Christ, she is actively involved in the food pantry and worship services. She is involved in the Topeka Mosaic project and serves as a volunteer at Indian Hills Elementary.
How have you grown during your career?
In the past, I shied away from being in the public eye. I have been empowered to step up, which has everything to do with the excellent advocates I have met in my current role. Networking and strategic skill-biased training have sharpened how I would like to contribute to our community.
What is your leadership style?
I refer to myself as a rip-the-band-aid-off type of leader.
What motivates you?
Failures motivate me.
“I don’t like to lose at anything. Yet I’ve grown most, not from victories, but from setbacks. If winning is God’s reward, then losing is how he teaches us.”
—Serena Williams
