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Dear neighbors,
We are mourning the devastating loss of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and Mark Hortman, whose assassination has shaken us deeply. Our hearts are with the Hortman and Hoffman families as we grieve not just the people we lost, but what their loss represents — the cruel reality of political violence, and the fragility of peace in a world where public service can come with fear. Melissa dedicated her life to building a better, more just Minnesota. Her passion, her leadership, and her unwavering commitment to equity are part of a legacy we must carry forward.
Getting through this week has required us to lean on each other — on loved ones, community, and the healing spaces that have held our collective pain. We feel the weight of violence, yet we choose joy, not as denial, but as resistance. Joy is medicine. Joy reminds us that the power we seek is one we can sense without fear of death. As we honor Melissa’s work and spirit, we recommit to what she stood for: justice, compassion, and the steadfast resolve to build a world where peace and dignity prevail over violence.
There are so many layers to my grief. friends. I am also praying for Sen. Hoffman, his wife, and I wish them a full recovery.
If you would like to honor the memory of Mark and Melissa, please consider the following:
- Plant a tree.
- Visit a local park and make use of their amenities, especially a bike trail.
- Pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do.
- Tell your loved ones a cheesy dad joke and laugh about it.
- Bake something — bread for Mark or a cake for Melissa, and share it with someone.
- Try a new hobby and enjoy learning something.
- Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace.
As always, please reach out with questions, comments, or to learn more about how to get involved.
With wellness,
Employee Award Ceremony
 Last week, we recognized Hennepin County employees who truly do great work. Award winners were colleagues who excelled in disparity reduction, climate and resiliency, equity, innovation, integrity, people first and stewardship. There are the people that help move our country forward!
Community Zero Waste Grants awarded in 2025
African Career Education and Resources (ACER), Minneapolis
$35,000 to make the annual Shingle Creek Center Fair in Brooklyn Center a low waste event, including promoting low waste and recycling education that goes beyond the event.
Free Geek Twin Cities, Minneapolis
$110,000 to further reduce electronic waste for reuse or recycling through implementing collection events or drives and expanding business hours.
Little Earth Residents Association, Minneapolis
$125,000 to improve recycling, start organics recycling, and incorporate repair clinics at clothing swaps to further reduce clothing waste.
Lyndale Neighborhood Association, Minneapolis
$9,000 to host swap events to facilitate and promote reuse among residents. Events include Free Fest that focuses on household items and Book Fest that seeks to recirculate books. Funding will also help make the annual Wheels and Bike Rodeo be a low waste event.
Oromo Diaspora Media, Minneapolis
$95,000 to start recycling, including organics recycling, at three religious institutions that serve the Oromo community and host events.
Zone For Integrated Resources and Alliances with Nature (ZIRAN), Minnetonka
$76,000 to start recycling, including organics recycling, at three businesses that primarily serve Asian American populations. Other activities include facilitating low-waste event planning at 10 events, including Twin Cities Waste Metro Asian Fair.
Stop Food Waste Challenge
Save money, save time, save the planet: Take the Stop Food Waste Challenge!!
Take the Stop Food Waste Challenge to see how you can save money, time, and the planet by tweaking your kitchen habits.
Wasted food is a waste of money. The average family of four spends more than $2,500 on food that gets tossed every year. We waste time shopping for food we don’t have a plan to use and cooking food we forget to eat. All that uneaten food wastes the resources, energy, and labor used to create it.
By coming together with our community, we can make a real difference toward reducing waste and fighting climate change. Take the Stop Food Waste Challenge to learn better strategies for buying food you’ll eat and eating the food you buy.
Sign up opened July 1, and the challenge runs August 1 – 31.
Hennepin County awards $400,000 in Youth Activities Grants
Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants Program Spring 2025 grant cycle awarded more than $400,000 of Equipment and Arts & Music Grants.
Project awarded included the following projects in District 4:
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Minneapolis Public Schools: $10,000 for district-wide balls for basketball, softball, soccer, baseball, volleyball
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South High School: $8,100 for basketballs, basketball equipment, footballs, wrestling headgear, tennis balls, volleyballs, basketball uniforms
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Minneapolis Public Schools: $25,000 for district wide partnership with VocalEssence, providing youth in-school workshops and the opportunity to perform at the Young People's Concert (YPC) in the Northrop Auditorium
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Minneapolis Public Schools: $25,000 for district wide general music kits, hand drums, boom whackers
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Minneapolis Parks & Recreation: $9,596 for pop-up parks with jewelry making, clay supplies, coloring, drawing, and painting supplies, temporary tattoos, face painting kits, drum set, karaoke player, storage for supplies at various locations
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Downtown Minneapolis parks: $25,000 for now making machine, snow sculpting tools/materials, and barrier
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South High School: $25,000 for violins, saxophone, bass and cello repairs, mouthpieces and swabs, music piece commissions, transportation for students
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Transition Plus School: $22,150 for students to work with an artist to learn different mosaic techniques and the history of mosaics, and create a mural in their community
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Commissioner Communications
Recognition of Success
 On Friday, May 30, we held our annual Recognition of Success graduation ceremony at the McNamara Alumni Center in Minneapolis.
We celebrated the success of 101 young people who graduated or earned their GED while receiving county services in Foster Care, TeenHope, or the juvenile justice system.
I once again had the honor of welcoming the graduates and their guests to the ceremony. These graduates have demonstrated their grit and determination overcoming considerable odds.
This ceremony is a well-earned recognition of their success, and an opportunity to lift up the contributions they have made, and will continue to make, to our community.
Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery designation to the National Underground Railroad Network
 I offered a commissioner communication for the National Park Service’s designation of the Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
On June 7th, I attended a celebration ceremony honoring the four Freedom Seekers buried at Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery who made this designation possible.
Their names are Woodford Anderson, Charles Broden, William Goodridge and Hester Patterson. Guests had the opportunity to participate in a self-guided audio tour of the burial plots for the Freedom Seekers, along with eleven other African American Civil War veterans.
The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom was created in 1998, and honors, preserves and promotes the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, which continues to inspire people worldwide. Through its mission, the Network to Freedom helps to advance the idea that all human beings embrace the right to self-determination and freedom from oppression.
Learn more about the event below in D4 Highlights.
B. Robert Lewis Award - offered by Chair Irene Fernando
 Last month, Chair Fernando offered a commissioner communication for the B. Robert Lewis award I received earlier that month.
B. Robert Lewis is Minnesota Black History you should know. Since I've received this award from the MN Public Health Association, I think about the legacy of our first Black Senator often. Thank you to my colleagues for surprising me with a highlight acknowledging this award.
Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery Designation
 It was bittersweet to honor the designation of Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom this weekend. This is the first designation of its kind in Hennepin County! Learn more about Hester, Woodford, Charles and William now at Hennepin History Museum’s exhibition highlighting our freedom seekers.
Thank those whose work made this designation possible:
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Elyse Hill, genealogist, whose research and leadership made it possible for this site to be designated as a part of the Underground Railroad.
- Susan Hunter-Weir & all our Friends of the Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery who made this possible. Susan has devoted 25 years discovering and collecting information on those buried here.
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Hennepin History Museum for working in partnership to display their stories.
- City of Minneapolis for their incredible preservation and maintenance efforts
- The Alley Newspaper for their extensive coverage!
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And finally, the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom for their recognition and stewardship.
Somali Heart Health Event
 The "Your Heart Beats for Generations" campaign continues and our Somali Heart Health gathering was a joy! It was an honor to host this gathering to talk about heart health and potential misconceptions that are impacting Somali women.
Dr. Abdi Jama and Nadira Mohamed provided insight, facts and advice that left an impact on us all. Thank you Yusra Mohamud for facilitating the conversation, African Development Center for hosting, and Oasis Mediterranean Grill for catering!
Naloxone (Narcan) Community Training
 Last month, City of Minneapolis Ward 9 Councilmember Jason Chavez and I recently partnered with the Minneapolis Health Department and Steve Rummler Hope Network, to host a Naloxone (Narcan) community training.
The free training provided participants with the knowledge and skills to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and administer Naloxone. This medication has the ability to reverse the effects of an overdose and save lives.
I want to thank Princess Titus, a community trainer, for guiding and educating our group; and to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for sharing their space with us for this event.
KnownMPLS
 I started off my Juneteenth celebrations at the Hennepin County Government Center with Known MPLS on June 17th.
Staff and community were invited to join our Outreach and Community Supports department in honoring and recognizing Juneteenth by listening to the choir perform.
Known MPLS is a local choir dedicated to uplifting voices and uniting communities through the power of music. Their ensemble is made up of young people from across the metro area and surrounding suburbs.
Juneteenth Tours at Fort Snelling
 On Juneteenth, my team and I started at Fort Snelling for Minnesota Historical Society’s Juneteenth tour and it was incredible! The highlight of Black history in Fort Snelling reveals that freedom seekers there shaped the early beginnings of what is now known as Minnesota.
Fort Snelling offers tours on the history of African Americans at the Fort on Sundays at 1:30 pm until September 1st, 2025.
"This tour focuses on African American history at Fort Snelling from the fort’s inception in 1819 through the end of the 19th century. This includes the stories of enslaved people brought to the fort—many of whom fought for their freedom in court—including Dred and Harriet Scott. The tour also explores the history of the 25th Infantry, who were stationed at Fort Snelling in the 1880s, and their regimental band, whose performance innovations are still used by the Army today."
To find more information and buy tickets, click here.
Soul of the Southside
 Next, I stopped by Soul of the Southside Festival. It was wonderful to spend time on Lake Street celebrating our liberation and uplifting the community through storytelling, music, art and food.
Rayaf Health Clinic Grand Opening
 Welcome District 4's newest addition: Rayaf Health Clinic at 2800 Chicago!
Dr. Farhiyo opened Rayaf to provide maternal health and whole health services to the community she lives in and beyond. Elevate Hennepin helped support Rayaf’s development leading up to opening day.
Shoutout to Somali TV Minnesota for their coverage of the event! This is the first medical clinic the Elevate Hennepin team has worked with and we couldn't be more grateful that they've provided the resources needed to bring Rayaf Health to life!
Llamas at the Library!
 Llamas at the Library has returned!!
Lounge and learn with the laid-back Carlson’s Lloveable Llamas at the library! Option to linger longer with library-led activities offering limitless llama-themed fun for all! Below are the dates/times and library locations in District 4.
Saturday, July 19, 2025 from 1:00 PM –3:30 PM at Arvonne Fraser; 1222 4th St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 from 2:30 PM –5:00 PM at Franklin; 1314 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis , MN 55404
Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 10:00 AM –12:30 PM at Hosmer; 347 E 36th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Wellness programs for Black birthing
 Check out the free wellness programs for Black birthing people at Sabathani!
Maternal Health Matters offers safe, welcoming spaces to connect, move, and learn, at no cost to you.
Where: Sabathani Community Center (310 E 38th St, Minneapolis, MN 55409)
Mamas in Motion
When: Wednesdays from 6:30 PM to 8 PM (New Time for July)
Led by certified yoga instructor Diceyiana Tejeda, this weekly class builds strength, flexibility, and endurance for childbirth while reducing stress and anxiety.
Mommies & Mocktails
When: Thursdays, July 3 & 17 from 3 PM to 5 PM
Join Joyce McGee-Brown, Community Nutrition Educator, to create tasty, nourishing smoothies. Attend four sessions and receive a free blender!
New Registration Policy:
Register up to 1 hour before the event starts (or until it’s full), and arrive within 15 minutes of the start time to keep your spot.
Red, White, and Boom
 When: Friday, July 4th from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Where: Water Works Park (333 S 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401) and the Stone Arch Bridge parking lot, Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront
Day-to-Night Lineup of Fun
Celebrate all day long with free fitness, family-friendly fun, dance sessions, shopping, music, and more. Check out below what’s in store. For more details on each event, please click here.
- Morning Movement
- Local Shopping
- Pickleball on the Parkway
- Evening Dance Sessions
- DJ Dance Party
Fireworks over the Mississippi River
10:00 pm: End the day with a breathtaking fireworks display, lighting up the Minneapolis skyline and riverfront in a show of color, sparkle, and celebration.
Salad Hilowle: Inscriptions
 When: Exhibit is open now through October 26, 2025
Where: American Swedish Institute; 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Experience the powerful work of internationally acclaimed Swedish artist Salad Hilowle in his first major solo exhibition outside of Sweden—an evocative blend of film, sculpture, and archival material that explores belonging, visibility, and the Afro-Swedish experience. Presented in partnership with the Somali Museum and curated by Berlin-based Sagal Farah, this poetic exhibition invites viewers to reexamine history through the lens of personal and collective Afro-Swedish narratives.
This exhibition is sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio, the city of Minneapolis, the Minnesota State Arts Board, and the Somali Museum.
Follow-up Community Engagement Presentation
 When: Tuesday, July 8th at 5:30 PM
Where: Public Service Building; 505 S. 4th Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55415
The Minneapolis Police Department Implementation Unit invites community residents, local businesses, City of Minneapolis staff, and partner organizations to a Follow-up Community Engagement Presentation.
This presentation will provide important updates on MPD policy changes that have been shaped by continued community engagement. The goal is to keep stakeholders informed and ensure that MPD’s policies are aligned with the priorities outlined in the Settlement Agreement.
Topics will include updates on:
- Use of Force
- Stop, Search, and Arrest
- Discriminatory and Impartial Policing
- MPD Mission, Goals, Vision, and Values
Midtown Phillips - New Affordable Housing
 When: Wednesday, July 9th from 6:00 PM- 7:00 PM
Where: St. Paul's Lutheran Church -Iglesia Luterana San Pablo (2742 15th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407)
Join our community meeting to learn about the updates on the new affordable housing coming to 2601-2605 14th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN.
Dinner & Conversation on East Phillips Park Plan
 When: Monday, July 14th, from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Where: East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center; 2307 S 17th Ave Minneapolis, MN
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, in partnership with the Native American Community Development Institute, is hosting a series of drop-in events to get community feedback on three design options for the future of East Phillips Park.
Join us for free dinner and conversations! Share your feedback on different ideas for improving East Phillips Park:
Schedule
5:10 pm: Welcome and introduction
5:20 pm: Presentation about the park designs
5:30 pm: Food and conversation
Spanish and Somali translators will be present at both events.
Welcome Celebration with PPNA
 When: Tuesday, July 15th from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Powderhorn Park; 3400 15th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN
Mark your calendar and make plans to join the board and staff of PPNA for this Leadership Celebration!
Catharine Bushman assumed the role of Executive Director for the association on Monday, June 30th.
As a musician, educator, and leader with over twenty-five years’ experience, Catharine possesses a range of skills that will support her ability to meet the responsibilities of the role in alignment and service to our mission. From insight she shared regarding her approach to leadership, along with input from peers, we believe she has the desire and experience to center people in her guidance of the association.
This is an opportunity to meet and welcome Catharine to the community and share a few words of appreciation with Tabitha Montgomery for her past decade of service as the outgoing Executive Director.
This celebration is free and open to all.
Minnehaha Falls Art Fair
 When: Friday, July 19th - Sunday, July 21st
Friday 19th from 3 PM - 8 PM
Saturday, 20th from 10 PM to 7 PM
Sunday, 21st from 10 AM to 5 PM
Where: Minnehaha Regional Park; 4801 S Minnehaha Dr., Minneapolis, MN
Celebrate dozens of amazing artists in the best park in Minneapolis! This annual event that attracts thousands of people features artists, live music, food trucks, family activities, and more! The event will feature approximately 150 artist booths, along with music, crafts, food, and more.
Minnehaha Falls Park, one of Minneapolis' oldest and most popular parks, features a majestic 53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs, and river overlooks, attracting more than 850,000 visitors annually.
Picnic in the Park - HPDL
 When: Thursday, July 24th from 5:30 PM - 8:00PM
Where: Pearl Park; 414 E Diamond Lake Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Join Hale Page Diamond Lake Community Association for their annual neighborhood tradition.
Every year, residents from South Minneapolis and beyond join us on the baseball fields of Pearl Park to celebrate our neighborhoods. On average, this event attracts more than 5,000 attendees. Picnic in the Park runs on generous donations from local businesses and residents to carry on each year.
These events feature:
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Live music from local bands
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Bounce houses, games, and other kids' activities
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10+ food trucks
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Showcases of local businesses, nonprofits, and artists
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Opportunities for connection across neighborhoods
Inside Out 4 - Annual Block Party
 When: Saturday, July 26th from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Where: Chicago Avenue, from 35th to 36th St, Minneapolis MN 55407
Celebrate the grand opening of the Pillsbury Creative Commons, the newly expanded arts & economics hub at Chicago & 35th, with an afternoon of food, fun, and community celebration!
Join us for an afternoon of food, music, family-friendly activities, live KRSM DJs, an artist market, and tours of our newly expanded Pillsbury Creative Commons (PCC) campus — now home to KRSM 98.9 FM and the Technical Arts Training (TAT@P) program. Click here to learn more!
Bike to Farm
 When: Saturday, July 26th from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: Venture Bikes; 1000 Midtown Greenway, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Second annual bike-to-farm event is guided by Venture Bikes and will travel across Midtown and East Phillips, to tour and learn about our beautiful urban farms and gardens. Beginner bikers are welcome to attend!
Somali-Swedish Culture Exchange
When: Sunday, August 3rd from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: American Swedish Institute; 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Join ASI and the Somali Museum of Minnesota for a vibrant and joyful day of cultural exchange! The campus will be filled with live music, dance, craft demonstrations, family-friendly activities, and food from the Somali and Swedish Minnesotan communities. Guests can also view ASI’s 2025 international exhibition, Salad Hilowle: Inscriptions. (Information above)
Check out the ASI page closer to the date for a full schedule of performances and activities.
34th Powderhorn Art Fair
When: Saturday, Aug. 2nd & Sunday, Aug. 3rd; 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM both days.
Where: Powderhorn Park; 3400 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55407
The Powderhorn Art Fair embodies the iconic artsy and eclectic Powderhorn community.
Over the past 34 years, the Powderhorn Art Fair has grown to represent over 200 juried artists spanning 20 mediums.
Contact us
Angela Conley
Commissioner, 4th District
Binta Kanteh
Policy Director
612-348-5204
Natasha Rice
District Director
612-348-3204
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