MFH Creator Fellowship
A six-month paid program for Missouri-based content creators who want to dig deeper into the issues shaping health and wellbeing in their communities and share what they learn with a broader audience.
Missourians are the best messengers to tell the stories of their communities. Across the state, online creators have built trust with their audiences by talking honestly about what life is like and what their communities need to live healthy lives. This work is important to build a state where everyone thrives, and it deserves real support.
From September 2026 through February 2027, fellows are receiving a monthly stipend, expert training, and a built-in community of creators. They’ll use their communications skills to help Missourians better understand topics such as access to food, health care, affordable housing, good jobs, safe communities, and clean air and water. In addition, they’ll learn how to better talk about structural barriers like racism and discrimination, which impact health and wellbeing in deep ways.
Our 2026 Creator Fellows
Donte Bernard
@donte_bernard
Columbia, MO
Dr. Donte Bernard is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri. He uses his platform to help people understand the real mental health impacts of racism-related stress and trauma.
Wesley Hamilton
@iamweshamilton
Kansas City
A creator, entrepreneur, and disability advocate, Wesley uses his platform to show the world what accessibility really looks like at home in Missouri and everywhere he travels. In addition to shedding light on the everyday reality of navigating a world not built for him, he also wants to expand more into food and transportation issues.
Sara Hellwege
@civilian_stl
St. Louis
Sara created “Civilian STL” to help Missourians feel closer to the issues shaping their lives and their health. Through explainers, resource guides, and strong community partnerships, she makes policy personal, practical, and impossible to ignore.
Alexia Jones
@softspokenconvos
Charleston, MO
Through “Soft Spoken Convos,” Alexia opens up real, unfiltered conversations about mental health, small-town life, race and identity, and financial wellness. Her platform creates a place where people who don’t usually get the microphone finally get to tell their own stories.
Malik Lendell
@bikenetstl
St. Louis
A lifelong resident of the St. Louis area who gets around without a personal vehicle, Malik is passionate about addressing transportation issues. Through “BikeNetSTL,” he advocates for improvements to cycling infrastructure and public transit.
Stephanie Morris
Boom Roasted Podcast
Hannibal, MO
In her podcast, “Boom Roasted with Stephanie”, she opens up honest conversations with people from her rural community, encouraging listeners to “roast their excuses,” take action, give back, and do something amazing for the place they call home.
Kayla “KVtheWriter” Thompson
@kvthewriter
St. Louis
KV is an artist and social justice advocate from St. Louis. As a fellow, she’ll use her music and storytelling skills to help people better understand health equity and trauma, all while building stronger pathways to resources and well-being for the people who need them most.
Will Westmoreland
@westmoreland_pops
Osceola, MO
Founder of “The Back Forty” and Executive Director of Back Forty Action, Will brings a genuine voice rooted in rural Southwest Missouri. Through his platform, he fights for better rural health care and champions solutions facing farm families.
