Koleen Matias
California State University, Sacramento
Koleen Fred Matias, a third-year student at CSUS, is a nonprofit artist who actively initiates projects that engage and educate her community on systemic issues involving race, gender, and the environment. In 2020, she launched Koleen’s Canvas, a Humanitarian Arts Nonprofit designed to advocate for human rights reform, such as Black Lives Matter, Women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and Immigration rights. Her first collection of handmade sustainable art raised funds for NorCal Resist and Navajo Strong. She is currently collaborating with Natomas Charter School’s Students For Equality and the CSUS Honors Program to launch an environmentalism and Native American visibility project involving a town hall meeting and arts fundraiser. She is also an editor for the CSUS Breaking Silence journal, a student-led interdisciplinary journal designed as a platform of expression and solidarity for marginalized voices. This journal is an extension of Sac State’s commitment to anti-racism and the pursuit of inclusive diversity. Koleen’s persistent leadership is fueled by her passionately vulnerable artistry and love for her communities. As an artist, writer, and educator, Koleen leads with a heart of compassion and determination, which has inspired others to take part in social justice initiatives.
Personal Statement
As a nonprofit artist and human rights activist, I work closely with local communities to address systemic issues involving race, gender, and the environment. In 2020, I launched a Humanitarian Arts Nonprofit called Koleen’s Canvas, a nonprofit designed to advocate for human rights reform, such as Black Lives Matter, Women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and Immigration rights. My first collection of handmade sustainable art raised funds for NorCal Resist and NavajoStrong. I am currently collaborating with Natomas Charter’s Students For Equality and CSUS’s Honors Program to launch an environmentalism and Native American visibility project involving a town hall meeting and arts fundraiser. I am an editor for the CSUS Breaking Silence journal, a student-led interdisciplinary journal designed as a platform of expression and solidarity for marginalized voices: an extension of Sac State’s commitment to anti-racism and the pursuit of inclusive diversity. My dedication to civic leadership reflects my determination to reconstruct the oppressive institutions and social constructs that conceal itself in the backbones of our society. The opportunity to work with Newman Civic Fellowship will provide me with both the community and refined skills that would propel my ambitious leadership to greater levels of civic engagement.
