Twin Cities African American Leadership Forum

History

In 2008, the Northwest Area Foundation hosted a series of discussions with 42 African-American leaders in the Twin Cities area. Seeing the power of collective wisdom, community-developed solutions, and the need to address pressing concerns, the participants committed to expanding their knowledge and community base. In 2009, the network grew to capture over 160 African-American participants’ insight and wisdom, and thus the Twin Cities African-American Leadership Forum was born.  In addition to a unique opportunity to build relationships and to work across organizational boundaries, the forum provides a platform for creating real solutions to address issues facing the African-American community. Through the development of a common agenda, it is a vehicle for voice and power in the African-American community.

Want to get involved or learn more? Send an email to aalf@headwatersfoundation.org

Goals

The main goal of the AALF is to engage African-American community leaders in an intentional dialogue to develop a common agenda that:

• Mobilizes and supports community-driven efforts to take ownership (individual, institutional and collective) and action on a common agenda to improve the economic and social well-being of the African-American community;
• Works with leaders to develop a holistic and shared plan that addresses the most critical issues affecting individual, family and community wealth and wellness of African-American people;
• Builds capacity among community leaders for collective action and community problem solving;
• Identifies and leverages the experience, credibility and influence of community leaders – for collaborative efforts and sustainable community change; and
• Creates opportunities for new partnerships and collaborative efforts

Working Groups

• Community Building
• Education and Life Long Learning
• Family, Culture, and Spirituality
• Health and Wellness

Upcoming Community Events and Nodding Coalition Opportunities

Call for Recommendations for Citizens Leauge Education Committe Members

The Citizens League has established an education committee that will focus closely on the governor's race and will develop a strong set of strategic policy recommendations. Citizens League reports have been very influential in the past. There are currently no African American members of the committee, so this is a great opportunity for an AALF member to get involved in shaping public policy on education.. The committee will meet every two weeks until June from 4:30-6:30pm.

If you are interested in sitting on this committee or would like to recommend someone for the position, or if you have any questions, please contact Chanda Baker at chanda.baker[at]gmail.com.