Be The Change MN helps Minneapolis high school students dream big

Some 500 Minneapolis sophomores, juniors, and seniors had a world-expanding experience at the recent Follow Your Dreams Career & College Fair.

Held at Orchestra Hall, the event was sponsored by Be The Change Minnesota. The event targeted underserved and immigrant students and those who would be the first generation from their families to attend college.

“With the pandemic and the shutdown, we know a lot of students lost connections,” said John Baker, longtime Minneapolis educator, small business owner, and Be The Change MN founder. “We wanted a day to rebuild for them.”

Arriving from a dozen Minneapolis high schools, with transit provided for them, the students came downtown on April 26, for a day aimed at broadening their horizons and opening their eyes to possibilities available to them after graduation.

The students in attendance were presented with a range of resources to help them not only dream about their futures but also plan for them.

In keynote speeches, breakout sessions, and one-on-one meetings, students were introduced to people of color from the Twin Cities who are real-world examples of success in business, media, education, the arts, hospitality, and as government and non-profit leaders.

They also visited with representatives from higher education and trade schools to learn more about a variety of post-high school career options, including internships and entry-level jobs they can pursue. Information about financial assistance and organizations that support and partner with local youth were also on hand.

“We had people of color who represent 50 great companies and colleges. They want to invest in the community, and they can do that by introducing themselves to high school students, their next generation of workers,” Baker explained. “It was meaningful for students to have the chance to talk to someone who looks like them.”

Organizers created a day aimed at engaging the interests of young people. The students had the chance to listen to a speaker who is a professional gamer and choose from workshops on topics like dressing for success, building vision boards, adopting best practices for social media, and learning tips for creating a winning resume. Youth in attendance also entered a raffle to win prizes including Xboxes, earbuds, gift cards, and a laptop.

A survey taken at the end of the day found students had nothing but enthusiasm for the event. That encouraged Baker to take steps to make the Follow Your Dreams Career & College Fair an annual happening.

“I am so proud of our Minneapolis kids. They sometimes get a bad rap, but they were the true rock stars. They showed out,” said Baker. “They were engaged, respectful, they said thank you. They behaved perfectly. My hat goes off to our city kids.”

Looking forward

The next big event sponsored by Be The Change will be its annual golf tournament. The fundraiser, scheduled for September 10, 2023, at Theodore Wirth Park, will put together foursomes who might not otherwise cross paths.

The vision is to group golfers from the Black community with business and civic leaders and high-profile athletes and celebrities, “bringing them together for five hours, a nice long time,” according to Baker so that they can exchange ideas and begin building relationships that will be mutually beneficial.

In the past, featured golfers have included Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner, World Champion boxers Caleb Truax and Jamal James, KMOJ Radio’s Walter “Q Bear” Banks, former Twin Tony Oliva, and podcaster and author Dr. Verna Price, director of Girls Taking Action.

This year for the first time, there will be a youth golf tournament as well, bringing together golfers who hail from both the inner city and the suburbs.

Participants for this year’s event can register and begin to make plans at www.bethechangemn.com/bethechangemngolf.

Learn more about Be the Change Minnesota at www.bethechangemn.com.