Frequently throughout 2026, space in these pages will be given to organizations working to end racial injustice across the state. We hope that these reflections spark policy changes for a more equitable Minnesota. This week’s guest contributor is Dorothy Bridges, the president and CEO of Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA).
While headlines often focus on major corporations, it’s small businesses that are the heartbeat of our community and truly fuel community growth.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses with 500 employees or fewer make up 99.9% of all U.S. businesses. And we know when small businesses thrive, they reinvest in their neighborhoods, returning money into the community through jobs, paychecks and taxes. This ultimately confronts the challenges that plague our community including housing, cost of living and unemployment.
Entrepreneurship has always been a cornerstone of the American Dream. The small businesses born from that entrepreneurial spirit are not only engines of innovation, but they also help build strong, equitable communities. And, for many women and people of color, entrepreneurship continues to be a powerful pathway to financial independence and generational wealth-building.
In my role as president and CEO of Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA), we have proudly helped launch and support thousands of businesses since we were established in 1971. We provide the tools, expertise, and access to capital that entrepreneurs rely on to close funding gaps, build wealth, and create jobs.
I lead with the belief that economic power is a tool for justice. Every day I work to ensure that BIPOC entrepreneurs not only have a seat at the table, but also have the resources, mentorship and opportunities needed to build their own destiny.
This work is not just about business. It’s about legacy. It’s about creating generational change in communities that have long been overlooked.
There is so much to celebrate with our MEDA clients, including:
- 30,000 Feet recently opened its new home in the Payne Phalen neighborhood in St. Paul. Founded in 2013, this visionary nonprofit empowers youth through programs in arts, culture, and social justice — helping young people dream boldly, develop skills, and reach new heights.
- Devean George, after a successful NBA career, returned to North Minneapolis to reinvest in his hometown. Through George Modular Solutions, he is transforming the future of local housing and creating livable wage jobs for Northside residents.
- VEEMAH Integrated Wellness & Consulting Services, LLC expanded their business in a new location in Brooklyn Center this summer.
- Founder/CEO Tameka Jones is continuing to grow her beauty brand, Lip Esteem, a line of plant-based lip products. Lip Esteem celebrates beauty, confidence and self-expression and has a storefront on Selby Avenue in St. Paul.
In this new year I encourage you to shop local, dine local, and seek out the incredible small businesses that make our community vibrant. Your support helps our community and keeps doors open and the American Dream within reach.
And if spending isn’t possible right now, there are other powerful ways to help: Follow small businesses on social media, tell your neighbors, share their posts, and amplify their stories.
Together, we can strengthen our community’s economy and ensure every entrepreneur has the opportunity to build a brighter future for themselves, their families, and our community.
Dorothy Bridges is the president and CEO of Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA). For more information on MEDA, visit www.meda.net/.