MVSKOKE RESERVATION, Oklv. – The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) released their 2024 Native American 40 Under 40 Class list on Feb. 6. Among the selected honorees are two Mvskoke citizens; George Henry Alexander II and Chase Williams. Many other citizens of neighboring Oklahoma tribes include Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Eastern Shawnee Nation and Pawnee Nation. Academy Award-nominated actress Lily Gladstone of the Blackfeet Nation was also selected for this year’s class.
The recipients of the list were nominated by members of their communities. Submissions are open to Native Americans, First Nations Indigenous people, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiins under the age of 40 and who have, “demonstrated leadership, initiative, and dedication while making significant contributions in their professions and communities”.
This year marks the program’s 15th year honoring Indigenous people for the impacts they have made in their respective industries, tribes and communities. According to NCAIED President and CEO Chris James, this year’s pool of recipients included a wide range of talent and service.
“From the silver screen to the farm, 2024 awardees are deserving recipients who will continue to make Indian Country proud and our world a better place. I look forward to celebrating their achievements at RES 2024 and welcoming them to the growing and influential community,” James said.
Muscogee (Creek) Recipients
Alexander is an artist and the chief executive officer of Okfuskie, an art studio located out of Sante Fe, NM. According ot Okfuskie’s website, Alexander’s work explores contemporary Indigenous culture with imagery that challenges the boundaries of what is considered “Native Art”. Alexander has been featured in publications like the Washington Post and Forbes.
Williams is the chief executive officer of Muscogee Asset Protection located out of the MCN capital of Okmulgee. Muscogee Asset Protection is a tribally-owned enterprise that includes services pertaining to installation, consulting and repairs of low-voltage system technologies. The company serves other businesses of various sizes world wide.
The selected honorees will be invited to the upcoming Reservation Economic Summit (RES), which is set for March 11-14 in Las Vegas, NV.
View the full NCAIED 40 Under 40 Class of 2024 list here.
