[#mnrising Dispatch] May 2021

This month marks 12 years of the Minnesota Rising blog and the idea that collectively sharing this time and space is a basis for mattering to one another. One year out from the uprisings following the police murder of George Floyd, we also recognize the ways in which our community has been catapulted into global focus. May we use this pressure for positive growth, to break patterns and condition ourselves and institutions to respond in different ways. Ways that for May's month-long observances, ranging from those of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage, American Indians in Mnisota, and Mental Health Awareness, among others, ensure that our communities are seen, supported, and fully represented as a part of the story of and future of Minnesota. Read on for several such opportunities to develop capacity and garner resources for advancing equity and community change.

Initiators Fellowship

"Change Greater Minnesota With Us." The Initiators Fellowship is a big, bold strategy that provides the next generation of regional leaders the opportunity to use their entrepreneurial spirit to address society’s needs while building the business and leadership capacity of Greater Minnesota. The application process for the two-year fellowship opens on May 24 and closes on June 15. Up to eight fellows will be selected for the social entrepreneurship program that provides a $60,000 stipend ($30,000/year), a hand-selected, executive-level mentor and wrap-around training and support to help up-and-coming leaders advance their social enterprise ideas. [Learn more.]

Lead For Minnesota 2021 Fellowship

Lead For Minnesota's Fellowship selects, trains, and places our nation’s most promising young leaders in two-year paid fellowships in local community organizations – such as local government, nonprofits, and community-based organizations – as a means of strengthening America’s public institutions, revitalizing our local communities, and cultivating a new generation of transformational community leaders. Lead For Minnesota is an AmeriCorps program, and as such, applicants are eligible to become AmeriCorps members if qualified. Candidates can apply to serve any community where they have strong personal ties. If selected as a Finalist, Lead For Minnesota will support applicant-led candidates in identifying a suitable host placement in their community of choice. [Learn more.]

Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute

Applications for the next cohort of the Nexus Community Partners (Nexus) Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) are open. BCLI works to build more engaged and powerful communities in the region by equipping BIPOC and other community members who have been shut out of governing to serve on city, county, metro and state boards and commissions that influence and impact equity in the region in economic development, health, housing, transit and workforce development. Nominations are due Friday, June 11. [Learn more.]

Community Equity Program

The Community Equity Program (CEP) is an immersive program housed out of Wilder Foundation that brings together up to 20 Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) who want to get involved in state-level policy and fight for change in their communities. CEP will provide participants the knowledge and tools to advocate and advance legislation, engage with policymakers, and build community power and solidarity at the Capitol. CEP is open to applicants who are both early and seasoned in their leadership journeys. CEP is more interested in learning about your passions and commitment to building your skills to shift policies and make change in the communities you care about than degrees and accolades. Everyone has something to learn and share from/with one another. [Read more.]