September 28, 2023
Join us for “Taking Root for Black, Indigenous, Asian and Latinx Communities in Minnesota.”
Whether you’re a leader who has been on the ground pushing change or a leader working within systems to advance change, this is a pivotal moment to keep moving forward together by building on the strengths and assets of communities and honoring what has been and is being tried in community, philanthropy and government for race not to be a determinant of outcome.
At this event, we will provide an overview of R2L’s mission and work to date and the priority strategies we are exploring. We will hear from a dynamic panel of community leaders and invite input on what’s emerging so that we can get to implementation in this effort.
When: Thursday, September 28, 2023
Time: 10AM – Noon, followed by lunch and optional sessions
- Main Session: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Networking Lunch: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
- Optional Breakout Sessions (Leadership & Power and Government Strategies): 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: River Place, The Main Hall Building, Training Room – 43 Main Street Minneapolis, MN 55414 (inside FRMNT café)
Registration: Reserve My Seat! (space is limited)
Featuring Exciting Panelist:
Chanda Smith Baker, a highly regarded community leader with over 25 years of experience working in, for and with underestimated communities. She is the host of “Conversations with Chanda” podcast and former Chief Impact Officer at The Minneapolis Foundation, where she spearheaded transformative grantmaking programs. Chanda’s tenure as president and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities showcases her commitment to addressing systemic inequities. Notable for her civic leadership on nonprofit and philanthropic boards, including the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, she has received prestigious accolades like the Hubert H. Humphrey Leadership Award.
Marcus Pope, President of Youthprise, leads the strategic vision and oversight of Youthprise. Since joining the organization in 2011, he has spearheaded innovative grantmaking initiatives, advocacy efforts and partnerships to advance equity among Minnesota youth. Raised in Saint Paul’s Frogtown Neighborhood, he draws inspiration from his childhood experiences and community challenges to empower youth. With a background including leadership at the Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community (IDVAAC) and roles in nonprofit sector and academia, Marcus is a prominent figure in the Twin Cities’ community. Recognized for his contributions, he received the 40 Under 40 Award in 2020 and participated in the Harvard Business School Young American Leaders Program in 2018.
Carly Bad Heart Bull (Flandreau Santee Dakota) is Executive Director of Native Ways Federation. She is a dedicated leader who has worked closely with Indigenous nations and communities across the country, including in the Midwest region while at the Bush Foundation. Carly’s background includes teaching the Dakota language and a practice in law. Some notable achievements include reclaiming the Dakota name for Minneapolis’ largest lake, Bde Maka Ska, being named a Minnesota Attorney of the Year in 2020, and selected as a Community Leadership Network Fellow with W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Carly holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota Law School.
Representative Kaohly Her is a Hmong-American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2019. She represents District 64A in Saint Paul. As a former refugee from Laos, she has dedicated herself to public service. With a background in finance and investment, she has led Hmong women’s organization Hnub Tshiab and served as a policy director for Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. Kaohly Her holds degrees in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin and Northeastern University, and she is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education Leadership at the University of Saint Thomas.
The President and CEO of Esperanza United, Patti Tototzintle has over 30 years of experience in community development and nonprofit management. As a Latina, Tototzintle is passionate about tapping into and developing the strengths of Latin@s. One of Tototzintle’s strengths is bringing diverse groups to the table to create and implement solutions to critical issues. In 2011, Tototzintle was selected as one of 15 innovative and visionary leaders to participate in the NoVo Foundation’s Move to End Violence Program, a ten-year initiative focused on strengthening the U.S. movement to end violence against women and girls. She sits on the boards of VALOR US, a leading national sexual assault organization located in California, and the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA)