.jpg)
Community Matters: Lightning Boy Foundation Inc
Steve LaRance, New Mexico Legal Aid
Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Listen here
The Lighting Boy Foundation is dedicated to empowering in building confidence and integrity in native youth through culture and artistic expression. Steve Larance together with Felicia Rosacker-Rivera established the Lightning Boy Foundation in memory of Felicia's son, Valentino Rivera and brought his late son and world champion hoop dancer, Nakotah LaRance, on board to teach Native youth to embrace their culture and roots through hoop dance. Steve is also an award winning jeweler with a specialization in tufa casting. His other children include Nizhoni (medical doctor), Nakotah (Champion Hoop Dancer), Cree (jeweler) and ShanDien (Champion Hoop Dancer). Steve enjoys being a mentor to Native youth and spending time with his family. On this episode of Community Matters, we’re joined by Steve Larance, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Lightning Boy Foundation Inc., the recipient of 2024's Resiliency Piñon Award.
.jpeg)
_____
About Community Matters
Our monthly radio show invites subject experts and community leaders to talk about the challenges and inequities our region faces and possible solutions that could contribute to its growth. Hosted by Santa Fe Community Foundation staff, Community Matters airs on the third Wednesday of every month at 6:00 PM on KSFR (101.1 FM). Listen to past episodes here.
Community Matters: Arts, Culture & Our Creative Safety Net
What role do artists play in building a thriving community? On this episode of Community Matters, host Christopher Goett sits down with Raashan Ahmad of Vital Spaces to discuss the importance of supporting New Mexico's creative community. Together, they explore how affordable creative spaces, community partnerships, and programs like Unhoused Art are helping artists thrive, and why a vibrant arts and culture ecosystem is an essential part of our community's safety net.
Community Matters: Equity & Belonging
What does equity look like in practice? On this episode, Dr. Corrine Sanchez, Executive Director of Tewa Women United, reflects on her 30 years of experience in Indigenous justice, healing, and advocacy and shares how equity can show up inside our organizations, communities, and lives.
Community Matters: New Mexico's Healthcare Landscape
New Mexico faces one of the most severe healthcare worker shortages in the country, and the consequences are felt deeply by local communities. In our May episode, host Christopher Goett sits down with Fred Nathan, Executive Director of Think New Mexico, to discuss what’s driving the shortage, what the research reveals about long-term solutions, and which reforms gained traction during the 2026 legislative session.