KINGSTON, R.I. – Alexander “Brave Journey” Sterling ‘11, art and philosophy, is an exemplary community member with his work as Board Chair and CEO of Turtle Island Community Capital. 

In his role, Sterling leads the establishment of a Native-led Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) expanding access to capital for Indigenous communities, small businesses, and clean energy projects. He brings experience in energy project development, financial structuring, and tribal engagement, including oversight of more than $45 million in utility-scale solar projects and leadership on a $135 million Solar For All initiative serving 14 Native communities.

As part of URI Library Innovation Labs and presented in conjunction with content partner Tomaquag Museum and culinary partner Wisgate, Turtle Island will present Native Impact Night on Wednesday, April 1 from 5 – 7 p.m, at the Robert L.Carothers Library & Learning Commons. The event brings together and celebrates the impact of Indigenous entrepreneurs, artists, funders, and partners to build relationships, share learning, and strengthen local ecosystems. Registration is free. 

Growing up between Rhode Island and New Jersey, Sterling has always been deeply involved and connected to his Native roots. In the Northeast, community is not always centered in one geographic place; it’s a network of families, gatherings, ceremonies, and relationships that stretch across towns and generations. 

“I got to experience this kind of community firsthand. Being Native meant learning early that we carry responsibilities to each other, to look out for our relatives, share what we have, and to think about the wellbeing of the next generation,” said Sterling. “Those values are a big part of what eventually led me to the work I do today.”

Rhode Island is ultimately where Sterling put down deep roots, and built a family. In his time at URI as an art and philosophy undergraduate student, he was trained to think both creatively and critically. As a sculptural artist, Sterling’s primary medium was casting and welding metal. His work explored ideas around identity, memory and the way objects carry stories. Since graduating, he has kept that practice alive by continuing to work at the forge in his free time. 

“One of the most meaningful pieces I’ve made is a knife I forged myself to cut my first son’s umbilical cord when he was born. For me, that moment captured something I’ve always loved about working with metal; creating an object with your hands that becomes part of an important life story.”

As a philosophy major, Sterling asked deeper questions about justice, ethics, and the systems that shape our lives. Studio art gave him the ability to express those questions visually and emotionally. The balance of these two disciplines helped him understand the world differently, art through making and expression, and philosophy through questioning estimations and exploring ethics and systems. 

“In a lot of ways, the work I do now, building new financial systems for communities, is still that same combination: questioning the structures we inherit and imagining something better,” said Sterling. 

After graduating from URI in 2011, Sterling’s career took a hand-on and multidisciplinary path. He has worked across construction, fabrication, and engineering operations. As a contractor, he was designing spaces, managing timelines, coordinating teams, and solving problems in real time. Those experiences eventually lead him into community development and clean energy work focused on Native and underserved communities. He saw firsthand how many communities have the talent and vision to build incredible projects, but lack access to the financial tools needed. 

Turtle Island Community Capital grew out of this simple, but urgent realization. 

“Traditional financial systems often overlook Native communities or impose structures that don’t align with community priorities. TICC was created to change that. We provide financing, technical support, and partnership to help communities build projects around things like clean energy, small business, food systems, and art and culture. The goal is to help communities build lasting economic strength while staying rooted in their values,” said Sterling. 

To see Alex “Brave Journey” Sterling speak about CDFI with the BioDeep Dive on community practice on Tuesday, March 24 at 12 p.m. EDT.