In the Community
2020 Census Mobilization Mini Grants - $750
The State of Minnesota, in partnership with Minnesota Census Mobilization Partnership, Minnesota Council on Foundations, and The Minneapolis Foundation is administering state-funded grants to support Minnesota’s Complete Count Committees, working to achieve a complete and accurate count of Minnesota residents during the 2020 Census. Cities, counties, tribal governments, school districts, colleges and universities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits that form a 2020 Census Complete Count Committee are all eligible. Deadline is open until 400 grants have been distributed.
BIPOC Consultant Directory from Nexus
“Over the years Nexus has fielded many requests about various types of BIPOC* consultants. This database is our response to the many requests, and we hope it is helpful to both consultants and people/organization seeking knowledge and expertise from BIPOC communities. This being said, please note our disclaimer below. Enjoy!
A special thanks to all of the consultants and organizations who helped inform us about this database, former intern Omar Leal for starting this work and to current intern Keliyah Perkins for getting this live!
*NOTE: We use the term BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) to recognize the many identities in the community.”
CloseKnit is seeking board members!
CloseKnit (formerly Minnesota Host Home Network) catalyzes systems change for youth facing homelessness by championing lasting relationships with the caring adults already in their lives who are not their service providers. They develop strategies to fortify these life-giving connections and advocate for investing in their transformative power. Interested in learning more? Click here or contact CloseKnit Board Member Aaron Zimmerman.
BLK LOVE: A Group Exhibition by Black Visions Cohort
Thursday, February 13th 6 – 8 p.m.
Hennepin Theatre Trust: 615 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis
Join us for an amazing gallery show led by Black Visions Cohort. There will be food and drinks in abundance. BLK LOVE features the original artworks of local Black Queer and Trans early-career artists Ayana Lance, Chi-Chi X, Miles Jamison, Noah Lawrence-Holder, Qwayed Akuei and Yasmeenah.
Over the course of nine months, the cohort members explored multiple artistic mediums that have been used to shape social movements through artist workshops paired with community organizing training. Sessions were led by Black Visions Collective and visual artist Nancy Musinguzi; and facilitated with the support of six local Black, Queer and Trans artists. Together, they have applied lessons, political education, and new relationships to create original artworks into an installation to articulate their visions for Black liberation in their community. As a result, each artist’s installation responds to the central question “What does the future of Black Minnesota look like?” sharing their individual and collective “Black Visions” to address and transform the conditions of our society.
Seed Library Party
Saturday, February 15th 1 – 3 p.m.
Riverview Branch Library: 1 George Street East, Saint Paul
Celebrate the start of the 2020 gardening season -- and get free seeds -- at the Seed Library kick-off party. Learn how to grow salad greens indoors, save seeds, and more. Co-hosted by the Saint Paul Public Library and West Side Community Organization.
Muslim and Jewish Women’s Day at the Capitol
February 18th 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Minnesota State Capitol Press Conference Room B971z
As Muslim and Jewish women, we're socialized to believe awful stereotypes about one another. When we come together in resistance to create change in our state, we actively combat systems of white supremacy and white nationalism. Join us at the Capitol this year to fight for things we all care about: a state free of violence against women, menstrual products in our schools, gun violence prevention, and more! We will provide training, food, and sisterhood. We will start the day in Press Conference Room B971 and will go to appointments after speeches from some of our favorite legislators! Please register here so we can make legislative appointments for you: https://forms.gle/bRHatQau7qLPV4bc9
Rally for Workers’ Rights & Climate Justice!
Thursday, February 27th 5 – 8 p.m.
Nicollet Mall and 8th Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis
Join the 8,000 building service workers of SEIU Local 26 who are currently in contract negotiations, the Minnesota Youth Climate Strikers and allies as they rally for workers' rights and climate justice. Co-sponsors include the Sierra Club, BIPOC Environmental Justice Table, MN350 Action and the diverse coalition coming together under the banner of Fighting Today for a Better Tomorrow. This Rally for Workers' Rights and Climate Justice is part of a series of worker-community actions across the Twin Cities in late February where we show that in Minnesota we care about each other and our planet. We know corporations want to divide us by race, religion, place of birth, job and gender, but our unity is more powerful. More details announced closer to the event.
ROCMN Member Meeting
Tuesday, March 3rd 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
3100 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis
Restaurant Opportunities Center—MN (ROC MN) is a local worker center and part of a global restaurant worker movement for justice. We are building power together and fighting for justice in restaurants throughout the state.
Open meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month. All are welcome! Attend a public meeting and see what we’re all about! ROC MN offers workplace issue (legal/organizing) resources, industry-wide change (policy initiatives), and community building in our industry.
2020 Muslim Women’s Leadership Conference
Saturday, March 7th 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel: Minneapolis
The RISE conference centers Muslim women’s voices by building a social network, providing concrete steps for change, and inspiring women to use their own strengths to positively affect social issues. Our theme this year, Right Time. Right Now, is meant to inspire, motivate and galvanize you into action. This year's keynote is Dr. Jamillah Karim, an award-winning author, speaker, and blogger. She specializes in race, gender, and Islam in America.
International Women’s Day: Staring Down the Tiger
Sunday, March 8th 2 – 4 p.m.
Rauenhorst Ballroom at St. Catherine University: 2004 Randolph Avenue, Saint Paul
Please join us for a special International Women's Day event that features a reading and discussion of Staring Down the Tiger: Stories of Hmong American Women, which will be published on February 25th by the Minnesota Historical Society Press. In many cultures, the tiger is a metaphor for danger and forbidden territory. Historically, people have been encouraged to run away from the tiger. The Hmong women in this book have chosen to stare down the tiger.
Speakers include the book’s editor, St. Kate’s Mission Chair for the Liberal Arts and Associate Professor of Social Work Pa Der Vang, along with several esteemed contributing authors: Mai Thao Xiong, Mai Neng Moua, Kao Kalia Yang, Dr. Maykao Hang, Mainhia Moua, Douachee Vang, and Boonmee Yang. In solidarity with the One Read for Social Justice. To order the book please visit https://www.mnhs.org/mnhspress/books/staring-down-tiger
4th Annual Challenging Islamophobia Conference
Tuesday, March 17th 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Augsburg University: Minneapolis
Presented by CAIR-Minnesota, the 4th Annual Challenging Islamophobia Conference brings together leading national and local experts on Islamophobia.
Topics addressed at this daylong forum, co-sponsored and hosted by Augsburg University, include: Islamophobia and the media, intersections of Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and white nationalism/supremacy, impacts of Islamophobia and hate, and Greater Minnesota and learning ways we can challenge Islamophobia in our society.
Breakout sessions will address challenges of Islamophobia-based bullying, responding to hate in Minnesota. This conference aims to inform and equip participants to effectively challenge Islamophobia in their personal lives and work settings.
We Count! 2020 Census Door Knocking
Saturday, March 21st 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Folwell Park: 1615 Dowling Avenue North, Minneapolis
The Census determines many important resources that directly influence our everyday lives. Resources that would help us fix our roads, update our parks, fund our public schools, making sure our children's bellies are full, and even determining the number of representatives our district will have. The 2010 Census resulted in a loss of a City Council seat, impacting the power our Northside community has, for the next decade. Join #WeCountMN 2020 Coalition members on March 21st as we head out across the Northside to make sure our community is counted in the 2020 Census. We need to let our government know that #WeCount, that our communities count, and that we matter.
CTUL’s Annual Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, March 28th 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church: 2730 East 31st Street, Minneapolis
Join Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL) for the Annual Pancake Brunch Fundraiser to sustain their organizing for yet another year!
2019 was a year of strategic thinking, legal wins, and ongoing organizing against wage theft and exploitation at CTUL. We held a subcontractor accountable for trafficking workers on the job site, won a wage theft law at the Minnesota State Legislature, celebrated our Future Fighters committee one-year anniversary, and prepared to scale up even bolder campaigns in 2020. Adelante!
Conferencia Alianza Latinx
Saturday, March 28th 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Metropolitan State University: Saint Paul
Metropolitan State University, Indigenous Roots and Alianza Latinx Presents: 2020 Conferencia Alianza Latinx.
Our goal is to address a variety of topics that has an impact on the Latinx community, specifically for Latinx college students. In the past, students explored themes ranging from cultural awareness to leadership development. The intent is to have students and community leaders create resourceful workshops to develop awareness, sense of urgency, useful knowledge, and a meaningful experience through community collaboration. By having students challenge themselves to lead and share the workshops, it can help motivate others to build a stronger Latinx community. We hope to inspire students to support one another while developing vigorous relationships.
