Nebraska Appleseed mourns the loss of our friend and long-time collaborator, Justin Kemerling, an independent designer who used his creativity for activism, community-building, and positive social change. Justin has been a force for good who intersected with countless changemakers and causes in Nebraska, the midwest, and nationwide.
We have been fortunate to work side-by-side with Justin on so many initiatives over the years. Just a few of his Appleseed collaborations include: art installations that lifted up community voices and calling attention to the community harms from divisive anti-immigrant policy, the campaign that restored prenatal care to all mothers regardless of immigration status, winning extended foster care for youth aging out of the system, the years-long Insure the Good Life campaign that won Medicaid expansion for 90,000 uninsured Nebraskans, and a collaborative Nebraska social justice poster show series that ran annually from 2011 through 2019.
In 2013, to recognize his leadership in utilizing design to inspire social change, we proudly recognized Justin at the Good Apple Awards with the Milo Mumgaard Emerging Leader Award.
But more than a collaborative partner, Justin was a big-hearted, good friend to so many of us at Appleseed and the broader advocacy and creative community. We will deeply miss his passion, vision, and leadership.
The Justin Kemerling Memorial Fund has been created to honor Justin’s memory, support his family, and support the causes that were close to Justin’s heart including political activism, community-building, citizenship, mentorship, and environmental justice.