![](https://i0.wp.com/spokesman-recorder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Sondra-Samuels.47.jpg?resize=600%2C711&ssl=1)
Minneapolis’ Northside Achievement Zone would likely not exist in the capacity it does today if it weren’t for the success of another nonprofit more than 1,000 miles away. Sondra Samuels, president and CEO of NAZ, was leading the PEACE Foundation in the early 2000s to combat violence in North Minneapolis when the success of the Harlem Children’s Zone caught her eye.
The Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) focused on boosting education for underserved Black youth in Harlem. “Their whole premise was, ‘We’re going to create in central Harlem, where outcomes were just horrible for Black kids… We’re gonna create a support system for low-income kids that middle-income and upper-income kids take for granted,’” Samuels explained.
Then it struck her: “Why should Harlem be the only place to make a promise and carry it, fulfill it for their children?” In 2009, inspired by the success of the Harlem Children’s Zone, NAZ was founded when the PEACE Foundation and 50 local leaders met to explore whether the HCZ could be replicated in North Minneapolis.
The nonprofit, located at 1964 N. 2nd St., focuses on serving children from pre-birth through eighth grade and employs a “comprehensive two-generation approach that works in tandem with families, their scholars, and our network of anchor partners to position both generations for economic prosperity,” according to its website.
That approach includes everything from parenting education classes to housing support and financial literacy training. NAZ partners with more than 30 community-based organizations and schools in community wellness, career and finance, expanded learning, K-12 schools, and early childhood to carry out its mission.
![](https://i0.wp.com/spokesman-recorder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/NAZ.building.47.jpg?resize=771%2C513&ssl=1)
Over the last 11 years, it has helped serve more than 3,000 households, Samuels said. And so far, it’s working. A 2022 study posted on its website showed:
- Over half of NAZ early childhood scholars meet or exceed developmental expectations.
- NAZ 3rd- 8th-grade scholars have better attendance at school and higher academic proficiency rates than non-NAZ 3rd-8th-grade scholars.
- More NAZ is better. Deeper and longer engagement in NAZ leads to better academic outcomes.
- NAZ parents take action to improve their parenting. More parents graduated from Family Academy than ever before.
According to Samuels, its success has allowed NAZ to expand massively over the years, from $450,000 at its onset to a current yearly operating budget of $19 million and 65 employees. In 2011, it received a $28 million Promise Neighborhood grant.
When those funds wound down in 2016, NAZ turned to local corporate, philanthropic, and individual investments with the NAZ is Working campaign, which landed a $6 million investment from Target and General Mills. The nonprofit receives funding from Minnesota’s most well-known companies, from Medtronic to U.S. Bank to Best Buy. In total, it has more than 40 contributing businesses and foundations.
NAZ puts on a yearly gala that has drawn big names like Jennifer Hudson, Diana Ross, and, this year, Patti LaBelle. Last year, it raised more than $3 million at the gala.
“It’s the only place that wealthy people, middle income, low income, Black, white, Asian, Latino, all of the folks come together at one big party to celebrate together and to raise money,” Samuels said
NAZ’s website lays out its goals for the future, including increasing its geographic footprint, deepening its services, and increasing its involvement in impacting policy and systems changes at the city and state levels. However, Samuels says the main goal is to increase collaboration to end multigenerational poverty.
“Everybody has come together, and it will take all of us. We are really the village to support our children and help them be successful in life and school and create generational wealth and wellbeing,” she said.
To donate, visit www.northside achievement.org. For more information, email enrollnaz@the-naz.org.
Support Black local news
Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.