Promoting education has been the biggest reward for Laverne McCartney-Knighton since taking over as area development director for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Minneapolis/St. Paul office last year. “When education is high on the priority list, students are able to get college degrees and are able to come back and work and live and thrive in their own communities and … [Read more...]
Minneapolis’ Catch 22: Regulating landlords without punishing tenants
Regulating landlords without punishing tenants The City of Minneapolis is experiencing a unique housing problem that policymakers have not quite figured out how to solve. Beyond the all-too-well-known affordable housing crisis, the City has found that holding negligent landlords accountable to tenants has also created housing instability for those very tenants. According to … [Read more...]
Mayor Frey’s budget acknowledges underserved Black community
Innovative investments proposed for housing, safety, racial equity Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is “putting our money where our mouth is” with his inaugural $1.55 billion budget proposal. This includes holding true on his promise for a historic investment in affordable housing. “Our city’s population continues to grow at a rate not seen since the early 20th century,” … [Read more...]
First-time candidate brings working-class realities into her politics
Ruth Richardson says her background provides a missing perspective This article is the fourth in an occasional series profiling candidates running for various offices and how their election might impact our communities. Though a first-time political candidate, Ruth Richardson has years of senior leadership experience in for-profit, nonprofit and government … [Read more...]
Entrepreneur works to curb Minnesota’s POC retention problem
Professionals of color are leaving Minnesota at record rates, according to Sharon Smith-Akinsanya, CEO of the Rae Mackenzie Group (RMG). She aims to help keep those professionals in the state through her company, which she describes as a “diversity and inclusion marketing firm [that helps] top Minnesota corporations build stronger, more authentic relationships with communities … [Read more...]