Thoughts from Minneapolis: Healing Our City
Be the Change You Want to See in the World.
- Gandhi
More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net
The city of Minneapolis is going through a challenging time as the trial of Derek Chauvin, the officer charged in the killing of George Floyd, is underway. Community members are grieving, hoping, and many are fearful and anxious. Today, we hear from Don Samuels about the founding of the ‘Healing our City’ initiative and Don’s thoughts on what social change leaders should be aware of, think about during this time and do. In this episode, you will:
- Hear about Don’s extensive background in the public, private, nonprofit and faith sectors and how that has informed his work
- Learn about the ‘Heal Our City’ effort started after the killing of George Floyd
- Hear how individuals came to the gathering space / prayer tent to meditate, pray and bear witness with other community members
- Hear about the reprisal of the prayer tent when the Derek Chauvin trial was started with a virtual multi-faith meditation, reflection and 9 minutes and 39 seconds of silence
- Learn a bit about the history of North Minneapolis and the multi-layered elements to this community
- Hear Don’s reflections on how a sustainable way forward is to collaborate and conspire together across differences
- Be challenged to be the change you wish to see in the world
In this episode:
More about Don:
Don immigrated to the US from Jamaica in 1970 to study Industrial Design. He resigned from executive R&D leadership, at Hasbro Toys, for a partnership in Red Racer Studio, inventing toys for major manufacturers. Don and his wife Sondra concluded that White Flight and Black Middle-Class Flight were the major contributors to the concentration of poverty and its repercussions, in Urban America. 24 years ago, they moved to the challenged Jordan neighborhood, in North Minneapolis. They quickly became strong voices for peace and leaders for unity and collaboration. With their urging and support, Don was first elected to the Minneapolis City Council in February 2003.
As a Council Member, he directed unprecedented levels of funding to his North Minneapolis community, ensuring remarkable recovery from a devastating tornado and the Great Recession. Don co-sponsored the Ban the Box resolution, which later became state law, giving ex-offenders a greater chance at careers. Don ran for mayor of Minneapolis in 2013.
Don cofounded the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), where his wife Sondra now serves as CEO. He graduated, in 2001, from the Luther Seminary and is an ordained minister. He currently serves on the boards of Luther Seminary, Twin Cities Rise, Center for Action and Contemplation and Trust for Public Land- Minnesota. He is CEO of MicroGrants, making grants to low-income individuals to start and boost their businesses and careers, and the Lights On! program: Now, when a driver is pulled over for a broken light in the state of Minnesota, instead of a ticket or lecture, they receive a voucher for free repairs up to $250.
