T. Morgan Dixon is the pioneering social innovator who cofounded GirlTREK, a health nonprofit that sparked a health revolution for Black women in the United States by mobilizing them to walk their neighborhoods and advocate for community wellness. Prior to GirlTREK, Morgan served on the frontlines of education reform where she served as Director of New School Development and led the start-up of five public schools in collaboration with the NYC Department of Education with support from The Gates Foundation. With Co-Founder Vanessa Garrison, Morgan was named among the top 1% of social innovators in the world with fellowships from Harvard, Ashoka, Echoing Green and the Aspen Institute. They have two viral TED talks and are the co-hosts of Black-History Bootcamp, GirlTREK’s award-wining podcast. Morgan studied Political Science and American Studies at University of Southern California and earned a Master of Education in Public Policy, Admiration and Leadership at Seton Hall.

Vanessa Renae is the Co-founder and President of GirlTREK, the largest public health nonprofit for African-American women and girls in the United States. With more than one million neighborhood walkers, GirlTREK encourages women to use walking as a practical first step to inspire healthy living, families, and communities.

Prior to co-founding GirlTREK, Vanessa worked within the criminal justice space, helping formerly incarcerated women access critical services. She began her career working in digital media with Turner Broadcasting System. Inc. in Atlanta, where she managed digital media projects for some of the world’s most recognizable news and entertainment brands, including CNN, TNT, and Sports Illustrated.

As the co-founder of GirlTREK, Vanessa is among the top 1% of social innovators in the world to receive fellowships from Echoing Green and The Aspen Institute. She has been featured by CNN, NPR, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and named “Health Hero” by Essence Magazine. In 2018, she was appointed to the national board of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, and her TED Talk, “When Black Women Walk,” has more than one million views. A native of Seattle, WA, Vanessa earned a B.A. in World Arts and Culture from the University of California, Los Angeles.