Christina Flewellen-Howze (37)
Creative Arts Director, Painting with Purpose

Whether it’s cooking healthy meals for families experiencing homelessness or conducting creative educational workshops, Christina Flewellen-Howze is using art to help and empower others.

The founder of Painting with Purpose — which provides a safe space where people can enjoy healthy provisions and, of course, create art — the Army veteran also hosts educational retreats to help trauma survivors, particularly fellow veterans, effectively communicate, overcome stress and navigate back into civilian life.

“Sometimes that’s cooking, sometimes painting, sometimes it’s recreation or gardening, anything that can bring you and your family together or match couples or veterans,” Flewellen-Howze says.

Joining her in conducting creative educational and peer support workshops is husband Eric Howze, a fellow 40 Under 40 honoree, Army veteran and co-founder of the nonprofit No Hero Left Behind.

“It’s hard for a lot of veterans to talk about what we went through with civilians,” says Flewellen-Howze. “With civilian reentry, a lot of people come home and don’t understand where they fit in, or where their place is. It’s nice to have a group of veterans that have navigated those current waters you’re going through.”