Millwork Conversations

Marin Sullivan

In collaboration with KANEKO, we’ll hear from Dr. Marin R. Sullivan, the curator of Richard Hunt: MONUMENTAL at KANEKO, a Chicago-based art historian, curator, consultant, and educator. She specializes in the histories of modern and contemporary sculpture, especially its interdisciplinary, intermedial dialogues with photography, design, and the built environment.

Buey Tut

Buey Tut was born in East Africa on December 3rd, 1986. In addition to the challenges of growing up in East Africa, Buey and his family witnessed the unfortunate political imprisonment of his father. Fortunately, however, his subsequent release due to regime change lead to an opportunity to immigrate to the United States.
Buey and his family arrived in Omaha, NE in 1998. Despite the cultural and linguistic challenges, Buey was able to graduate from high school and attend University of Nebraska at Omaha. Buey's UNO career includes serving as the captain of his speech and debate team, being elected as senator on the student body then vice president of the student body before finally graduating with a Political Science Degree.
Buey began his professional career as a District Executive at Boy Scout of America Mid America Council. After a promotion to Executive Team Leader, Buey left the Boy Scouts and founded Aqua-Africa with a mission to provide access to clean drinking water in his homeland of South Sudan.
Since its foundation, Aqua-Africa has evolved from providing hand pump wells serving approximately 250 people per well to an innovative solar powered water tower called Village Supplier Utility System (VSUS) that is able to serve from 2,500 up to 10,000 people. Aqua-Africa’s unique Micro Democracy training program has also been awarded a United States Aid Agency (USAID) grant to implement in five counties in South Sudan over the next five years. Buey and his team are currently working on a strategic plan that will help the organization build capacity and scale for the coming years.

Albert Varas

Albert has dedicated his life to supporting the advancement of underserved youth and families. For over 20 years, his professional career and service work has focused in the areas of education, nonprofits, business, and public health. In addition to serving the community as the CEO of the Latino Center of the Midlands, Albert has served on several local boards and volunteers his time as an advisor to emerging and established nonprofit organizations.

Borris Powell

Borris Powell is a Chicago fashion designer who makes a point to live for today and for the moment. Always dreaming about tomorrow's possibilities, Borris never loses sight of the excitement of every second of today, believing incredible beauty exists in the world if you just pay attention.

Silva Raker

Silva Raker is the inaugural CEO of Kiewit Luminarium, opening on The RiverFront in April 2023. The Luminarium will be a portal for extraordinary learning experiences that ignite curiosity, upend perceptions, and inspire interest in STEM for people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. Silva leads a growing team working to joyfully engage the whole community in the ongoing creation of a place to explore the astonishing scientific phenomena that animate our lives and shape our actions.

Drew Newlin

From carving around the drain of his grandparents’ laundry room; to honing his first tricks on the hallowed gym floors of the former Salvation Army skatepark; to sketching the initial designs for our very own Millwork Skate Spot; Drew Newlin has seen his passion for skateboarding shape his life, career, and the lens through which he sees the world.

Anna Lind Thomas

Anna Lind Thomas is a humor writer, book author and popular online personality. Her essay about farting on a date went viral and catapulted her to fame (or infamy). She spends her time writing essays for her site annalindthomas.com and various media outlets.