Upcoming Convenings

OEOA convenings are welcome and encouraged for everyone, and especially designed to increase civic engagement for politically disenfranchised communities.

Our third Clinics at the Capitol will be August 20th on Building Bridges with Grantees and State Agencies alongside partners from MN Department of Administration, and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. This free event series is designed to offer hands-on help in the People's House. Together we will focus on removing barriers for grantseekers, and understanding opportunities to advance grant equity in our state. Register here!

Coming soon the September History Makers will center Latine Heritage. Latine Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15. This month-long observance honors the contributions and rich cultures of Latine and Hispanic people. Watch your inbox for the venue reveal, and registration details.

11th African Mental Health Summit

The Chief Equity Officer spoke on a panel and connected with folks across the African diaspora alongside Corey of the PE Department. The summit was a day of shared learning, courageous dialogue, and community empowerment. Together, we explored innovative strategies, celebrated resilience, and reimagined what mental health equity can look like for African individuals, families, and communities across the diaspora.

Youth Science Day at the Science Museum

Youth Science Day transformed the museum into a celebration space for 1700 Freedom School students from across Minnesota. The statewide gathering featured exhibit exploration, an immersive Omnitheater experience, and a special Harambee ceremony led by student scholars from each participating site.

The Science Museum of Minnesota distinguishes itself as the only museum in the country to operate a Freedom School and among just a handful of programs nationwide that blend the historic literacy model with hands-on STEM education.

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) Fundraising Conference

Showcasing ecosystem collaboration, the Chief Equity Officer joined MCN and Tonya Allen of the McKnight Foundation for her keynote. Tonya's message invited us to reimagine generosity as a bold, collective act of freedom—one that dismantles hierarchy, redistributes power, and builds a future rooted in mutual thriving.

She highlighted what giving freely, abundantly, and without fear can look like and the current solidarity movement in philanthropy, focused on ensuring resources continue to flow where they are needed to support thriving communities and a thriving democracy. As Tonya reminds us “the future is not finished” and now is the time to build the world we need and want together. 

Community Engagement Practitioners Group Quarterly Connect

An exciting milestone was achieved by the CEPG, during the July quarterly connect meeting. Engagement practitioners and enthusiasts from across state agencies gathered to provide feedback and launch workstreams focused on elevating engagement across the state.

Transformative relationships start with meaningful connections, are rooted in genuine curiosity, and are fueled by shared purpose. Working right alongside deeply connected state employees is a key strategy for advancing systems change.

The group accelerates at lifting shared priorities, elevating community voice, and responsive collaboration. Together we are co-creating tools and resources for enhanced community engagement and maximizing collective impact.

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) National Conference

The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf hosted their National Conference in Minneapolis. The Chief Equity Officer joined Executive Director of the Commission of the Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing with other locals on-stage to welcome visitors from all across the country.

The opening ceremony highlighted RIDs incredible impact over 61 years, the significance of interpreters on society, and Minnesota's rich culture and history.

OEOA Listening Tour | Regional Roundtable in Rochester
The Chief Equity Officer traveled to Rochester last month for a series of powerful listening sessions across industries, generations and vantage points. In one jam-packed day, she heard directly from residents and local leaders about emergent barriers they face—and solutions they’re ready to build, or have already started.

The goals for the listening tour are simple:

• Making connections and strengthening ecosystem
• Increasing community engagement and civic impact

Clinics at the Capitol | Employment and Economic Development  The second clinic focused on Minnesotans interested in state resources for employment, entrepreneurship, or both! A collaborator from (DEED) shared about the recent event, "The Clinic was a powerful example of cross-agency collaboration centered on equity and access for all Minnesotans. The space created was one of trust, learning, and impact. It was especially meaningful to see so many state teams come together in service of our communities."

One MN History Makers | Disability Pride Month
The July convening was hosted in partnership with Interact Visual Arts Studio. Joining us were three incredible History Makers (Linda Wolford, Rich Pennington, and Mai Thor) who champion accessibility, inclusion, and justice for people with disabilities. The event highlighted the power of lived experience and the ongoing work to break down barriers in our communities. It was a meaningful celebration of pride, progress, and the voices driving change across Minnesota. 

Mind, Body and Soul | Star of the North How Travel and Outdoor Recreation Strengthen Mind, Body and Soul. Just in time for summer, Explore Minnesota joined us for an energizing and inspiring conversation with about opportunities to experience the outdoors, community barriers and priorities. Together, we explored how tourism and outdoor recreation contribute to wellness, connection, and equity across Minnesota.