Nevada ranks second in the nation for human trafficking incidents per capita — and Las Vegas sits at the heart of that crisis. In this powerful episode, Dr. Christina Vela, CEO of St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, joins us to talk candidly about what’s happening to vulnerable youth in Clark County and what’s being done about it.

She shares how St. Jude’s groundbreaking new Healing Center is offering safety and recovery for child survivors and how the Las Vegas community, from government leaders to the Clark County School District, is stepping up in real, meaningful ways.

This conversation is not just about the problem; it’s about action, compassion, and how collective effort is creating a path forward.

Sam McCracken, General Manager of Nike's N7 program, discussed his journey from a forklift driver to leading initiatives for Native American health and wellness through sports. He highlighted the N7 program's impact, including the Nike Air Native N7 shoe, which incentivizes health improvements. McCracken shared memorable moments, like being featured on Saturday Night Live and collaborating with Jordan Brand. He emphasized the importance of community engagement and the N7 fund, which has distributed $12.5 million to 300 communities. McCracken announced his retirement, expressing confidence in the next generation of leaders to continue the program's mission.

This episode of The Urban Rez features Jay Vickers, COO of UNLV's Sports Innovation Institute, as he shares how the institute connects sports, education, and economic development to drive innovation.

We also sit down with Cuban world-renowned anthropologist Dr. Aida Esther Bueno-Sarduy in Barcelona, to explore her work on Barrack Feminism and the role of art in reclaiming historical narratives.