Social capital can be understood as a measure of the relationships among community members and the ability to access resources due to those networks. Supporting social capital equity in our communities can lead to greater socio-economic mobility among underrepresented community members who have faced generational inequities.
Welcoming efforts around social capital can include:
- Intentional network building activities among diverse groups
- Access to educational opportunities not limited by geographic boundaries
- Mixed-income zoning and housing opportunities
- Resources to support financial stability of underrepresented groups
Networks and access to increased resources can occur along many avenues (see some examples in the Resources to Explore section below). They speak to the widespread influence of social capital equity in developing a truly welcoming community.
Considering the relationship between social capital among diverse groups is essential to understanding a more complete picture of equity across the Northland. Visit the Resources to Explore section to learn more about current initiatives and stories around social capital equity in the Northland.
Continued Learning
The goal of the Welcoming Community program is to provide the community with continued opportunities for learning and connection related to topics relevant to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our region. In our monthly emails, we highlight a specific equity topic and provide resources related to the monthly theme.
The theme for the month of June is Social Capital Equity. When exploring the learnings in the Resources to Explore section, we ask that you consider the following question:
“In terms of social capital equity in northeast Minnesota, where have we come from, where are we now, and what steps do we need to take to reach an equitable future.”
Resources to Explore
- WDSE/WRPT PBS: Twin Ports APIDA Collective
- Pollen: Meet Nevada Littlewolf
- Urban Rural Action: Uniting for Democracy in the Northland Kicks Off in Duluth
- Education Week: Minnesota Backs Nation’s First ‘Choice’ System
- Duluth News Tribune: Duluth Program Builds Housing, Construction Skills
- Minnesota Reformer: In Discussion of Equality, Rural Women Are Too Often Left Behind — Opinion
- KAXE: Innovate 218 Pitch Contest and Start-Up Mentorship Program Foster Innovation in Northern Minnesota
- Fox 21: Builders and Backers Launching To Help Accelerate Duluth Entrepreneurs’ Ideas
- Star Tribune: How Twin Cities Housing Rules Keep the Metro Segregated
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Juneteenth!
Communities across the Northland are preparing to celebrate Juneteenth. June 19th marks the day celebrated as Independence Day by those of African Heritage, where in 1985, the last slaves were told they were free, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth was made a federally recognized national holiday in 2021.
Several celebratory activities will be happening across the Northland. Midwest and State Director of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation Lee H. Jordan was recently interviewed on Itasca Community Television to discuss the importance of Juneteenth. Learn more here and join in the celebration with the events below!
Mayor’s Juneteenth Proclamation
June 16th, Noon
Duluth City Hall, 411 W. 1st Street, Duluth
Honor Our Elders Luncheon
June 17th, 11:30AM-1:30PM
Duluth City Hall, 411 W. 1st Street, Duluth
Learn more here
Juneteenth Freedom Walk & Picnic
June 17th, 10:00AM-12:30PM
Central School, 10 NW 5th St Ste 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Twin Ports Juneteenth 2022
June 18th
Barkers Island Festival Park, Superior, WI
Learn more here
NAACP Annual Juneteenth Jubilee
June 19th
Central Hillside Community Center, Duluth, MN
Learn more here
Celebrate Juneteenth
June 19th
KAXE Rotary Tent in Grand Rapids, MN
Learn more here
St. Marks Gospel Brunch
June 19th, 10AM-1PM
Central Hillside Community Center
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Welcoming: In the News!
- HometownFocus.us: Student Connect Concludes Semester
- Itasca Community Television: Community Matters: Juneteenth
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Welcoming Events Across the Northland
Many initiatives are ongoing to support Welcoming across northeast Minnesota. Listed below are some in-person and digital opportunities to explore and participate in!
Do you know about a connection opportunity we could highlight in an upcoming newsletter? Submit proposals to alewis@northspan.org by July 6th, 2022.
=== Events in June & July 2022 ===
Morgan Park Affordable Housing Project: Community Design Meeting
June 15, 6-8PM
Morgan Park Community Club, Duluth MN
Head of the Lakes United Way: Day of Caring
June 22nd
Various Locations
Learn more here
Second Annual Youth Mental Health Night
June 23rd
Minnesota Discovery Center, Chisholm, MN
Learn more here
United Way of Northeastern Minnesota: The Wall that Heals
June 23-26th
Football Field, Chisholm, MN
Learn more here
The Lyceum Movement-Duluth Lyceum
June 27th
Bent Paddle Brewing Co. in Duluth, MN
Learn more here
=== Ongoing Events ===
Aging Impact Award
Learn more here
American Indian Community Housing Organization: Indigenous Art By Shaun Chosa
Learn more here
Chisholm Summer Recreation Program (low-cost child care option)
Chisholm Curling Club, Chisholm, MN
Learn more here
Employer Champions Initiative
Location: Online
Register here
Fond du Lac Language and Cultural Center
Wednesdays from 5-8PM
Learn more here
Minnesota Women’s Press Changemakers Alliance
Learn more here
Uniting for Democracy in the Northland
Learn More here
Voices for Ethnic and Multicultural Awareness: Northern MN Book Club
Location: Online or in-person
Register here
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Invite a Friend
If you know others in your community who are interested in participating with Welcoming Community programming, please share this blog post so they can learn more & click here to join our email list.
Contact Northspan’s Welcoming Community Program Coordinator Amber Lewis at alewis@northspan.org with any questions.