Two Albuquerque trailblazers were named “Disruptive Leaders” by Living Cities this month, as part of the organization’s 25^th Anniversary Celebration. Robin Brulé and Hakim Bellamy were both chosen for the award after being nominated on social media using the hashtag #Disruptive25. The organization describes a disruptive leader as, “[Someone who] acts with urgency and unrestrained imagination. They take risks, put their own personal capital on the line to challenge the status quo, work to take down the barriers that cause racial disparities and embrace the responsibility to question, collaborate and lead for lasting and meaningful change.” Read Living Cities’ full announcement here.

Robin Brulé, Chief Strategist for Albuquerque’s Living Cities Integration Initiative was chosen based on her ability to mobilize “powerful cross-sector partnerships to improve outcomes for New Mexicans.” Robin earned multiple nominations for the award, based on unique leadership abilities and dedication to bringing  people together from different sectors in Albuquerque.

Hakim Bellamy, poet and community organizer who served as Albuquerque’s inaugural poet laureate from 2012-2014, was nominated for his leadership through art and organizing. As Living Cities notes, his poems have been published around downtown Albuquerque, on the Convention Center, in city buses and in many more places across Albuquerque.