Check this out! We're launching the inaugural City Cast 7 in recognition of the unsung heroes who helped make Las Vegas better for everyone in 2025. Nominated by readers, listeners, and contributors, these seven standouts captured the true spirit of our city with generosity, creativity, resilience, and passion.
đ Brooke Page
âHomecoming Queen, helping people find homesâ
Brooke Page âhas devoted herself to making sure people get into homes," City Cast co-host Dayvid Figler says with admiration. The southwest managing director for the Corporation for Supportive Housing is in the thick of policy fights and resolutions to help rebuild a dwindling social safety net. Brooke helped pass legislation on the state level to greatly expand supportive housing during a year when the federal government has withdrawn aid for programs.
đ”đ Istorya
ââMost likely to give you FOMOâ
Istorya, led by Walbert Castillo and Monica Blanco, has long championed the cuisine of the Philippines with some of the most in-demand pop-up culinary experiences in Las Vegas, including an upcoming run at Durango Social Club. The collective was also instrumental in the creation of the Filipino Town cultural district. "Theyâre rewriting Filipino-American history through food," notes UNLV Professor Mark Padoongpatt.
đïž Jen Taler
"Most likely to take over the world"
From her days at Fergusons Downtown to newer ventures like the Akin Cooperative boutique and the Dustland watering hole, Jen Taler is a consistently energizing, creative presence in places where art and commerce intertwine. Her Market in the Alley pop-up shopping events expose local artisans to all corners of the valley and the recurring Picnic in the Alley shines a spotlight on women chefs, bartenders, and entrepreneurs.
đ©ș Kaleigh Mancha
âMost likely to inspire self-careâ
Kaleigh Mancha is the co-founder of Heart & Sol Collective, a full-spectrum birth worker, and licensed family therapist. She brings resources like free yoga classes, lactation support, and trauma-informed counseling to underserviced communities â recognizing that new mothers and young families are at a uniquely vulnerable time both physically and mentally. Her motto: "Wellness is a necessity, not a luxury."
âïž Michael Kagan
âHomecoming king, helping people come homeâ
A professor at the William S. Boyd School of Law, Michael Kagan is the director of the UNLV Immigration Clinic, helping targets for deportation understand their rights, holding courts accountable, and serving as an invaluable resource for those following the rules to earn citizenship. âHe is a brilliant man and knows immigration law probably better than anyone else in the community,â according to Dayvid Figler.
đ Nichole Beer
"Most likely to lead a protest"
Nichole Beer isnât your stereotypical school librarian. The executive director of Read Freely Nevada is a loud, proud advocate in the fight against book bans at a time when freedom of expression is under attack. Nichole believes students should have access to a rich world of ideas and is also the co-founder of a first-of-its-kind cookbook library.
đ„ Tameka Henry
"Most likely to keep it realâ
Tameka Henry is known as a calm, levelheaded Clark County School Board District trustee, but sheâs also the executive director of the Obodo Collective, working to eliminate multi-generational poverty in our community. This year, the nonprofit opened the Obodo Grocer, a community-driven corner store to promote healthy eating and food access in the Historic Westside.
- Learn more about our City Cast 7 with in-depth profiles and exclusive Q&A interviews. [Hey Las Vegas âïž]
- City Cast Las Vegas had more to say about our wonderful City Cast 7, from the selection process to the importance of recognizing achievements and improvements on a community level. [City Cast Las Vegas đ§]
