TULSA, Okla. — Dr. Tarajean Yazzie-Mintz (Diné), founder and principal consultant at First Light Education Project and former vice president for program initiatives at the American Indian College Fund in Denver, Colorado, has been named the 2020 Brock Prize in Education Innovation Laureate.

Dr. Yazzie-Mintz has committed her life to developing and implementing culturally-grounded educational programs and services for American Indian and Alaska Native children, their families, communities, and tribes. Through her leadership and vision in overseeing Wakanyeja (“Sacred Little Ones”) Early Childhood Education Initiative at the American Indian College Fund, Dr. Yazzie-Mintz positively impacted the lives of more than 4,000 children, 3,000 families, and 1,200 teachers in Indigenous communities.

Dr. Yazzie-Mintz was scheduled to be the featured speaker at the 19th annual Brock Prize Symposium in March, but the event has been postponed until the fall due to COVID-19.