Outreach proposal for Expanding Outreach & Inclusion for Communities of Color in Minnesota
Minnesota’s communities of color are facing some serious challenges, from declining voter participation to economic disparities and a lack of representation in political leadership. While these issues affect multiple groups, the Black community in particular has seen little progress—or even setbacks—in areas like civic engagement, economic opportunities, and political influence.
As a candidate for State Outreach and Inclusion Officer, my goal is to re-energize engagement, rebuild trust, and make sure communities of color have a strong and lasting voice in shaping Minnesota’s future. This proposal lays out specific strategies to boost voter turnout, support economic empowerment, and strengthen political representation across Minnesota’s diverse racial and ethnic communities.
1. Identifying Communities in Decline
Some communities in Minnesota have been struggling with stagnant or declining civic engagement, economic growth, and political influence. This proposal will focus on:
Black Community: Decreasing voter turnout in key districts, economic barriers, and lack of representation in local and state government.
Latino Community: Rapid population growth but still not enough elected representation and challenges to economic mobility.
Indigenous Communities: Longstanding disenfranchisement, underinvestment in reservations, and barriers to voting access.
Hmong and Southeast Asian Communities: A strong community presence but still underrepresented in politics and facing economic struggles.
African Immigrant Communities (Somali, Ethiopian, Liberian, etc.): More political engagement but still running into systemic barriers in economic growth and representation.
Each of these communities needs a tailored approach that speaks to their unique challenges while also fostering a broader movement for equity and inclusion.
2. Voter Outreach & Civic Engagement
Many communities of color face real barriers to voter participation, from suppression efforts to misinformation and complicated registration processes. Voter turnout among young people and first-time voters—especially in Black and immigrant communities—remains low, which only adds to the problem. On top of that, the disconnect between elected officials and these communities leads to voter apathy.
We need voter education efforts rooted in trusted community spaces like churches, cultural centers, and grassroots organizations to turn this around. Registration drives at schools, community events, and places of worship will help ensure that every eligible voter is informed and ready to participate. Multilingual resources will be developed to counter misinformation and ensure people know their voting rights. Lastly, mentorship programs will be set up to guide first-time voters through the election process, ensuring they feel confident and empowered to cast their ballots.
3. Economic Empowerment & Opportunity
Wage gaps, unemployment disparities, and limited access to business funding are holding communities of color back. Gentrification is also forcing many families out of their neighborhoods, and there isn’t enough investment in Black and immigrant-owned businesses.
We need real solutions: advocating for state grants, low-interest loans, and mentorship programs specifically for minority-owned businesses. Workforce development programs will connect people with training for in-demand jobs through partnerships with unions, community colleges, and trade schools. Homeownership assistance programs will be expanded, offering financial literacy education and down payment support to help prevent displacement. And finally, we’ll encourage businesses to invest in communities of color, making sure economic growth benefits those who have been historically left behind.
4. Strengthening Political Representation
Communities of color are still vastly underrepresented in elected office, and there aren’t enough clear pathways for community leaders to step into political leadership. There’s also a major lack of investment in preparing future candidates from these communities.
To fix this, we’ll launch mentorship and training programs that help candidates of color build the skills and networks they need to run for office. Active recruitment efforts will identify and support diverse leaders ready to step up at the local, state, and national levels. Policy advocacy will ensure that communities of color are directly involved in shaping policies around education, healthcare, and criminal justice reform. And by strengthening coalitions among Black, Latino, Indigenous, and Asian leaders, we’ll build a unified push for policies that benefit all communities of color.
5. Community Partnerships & Long-Term Organizing
Too often, communities of color only hear from political parties during election cycles, leaving many feeling ignored and disengaged. On top of that, grassroots organizations that do the real work of engaging these communities often struggle with funding.
To create lasting change, we need year-round engagement—not just when it’s time to vote. We’ll strengthen relationships with faith-based and cultural institutions, such as Black churches, mosques, temples, and Indigenous councils, to ensure continuous civic involvement. Youth leadership pipelines in high schools and colleges will help develop the next generation of changemakers. And we’ll direct more funding to grassroots organizations that have deep trust within their communities, ensuring they have the resources needed to sustain their work.
6. Measuring Success & Accountability
To make sure these initiatives are actually making a difference, we’ll track voter registration and turnout numbers and adjust our outreach efforts accordingly. We’ll monitor economic investments in Black and minority-owned businesses to ensure fair access to opportunities. We’ll also work to increase the number of candidates of color running for and winning elected positions. Finally, regular listening sessions with community leaders will help refine and improve strategies based on real community feedback.
Conclusion
Minnesota’s future depends on fully including and empowering communities of color. This proposal isn’t just about increasing numbers—it’s about building lasting political, economic, and social power for Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian, and African immigrant communities.
As State Outreach and Inclusion Officer, I’m committed to making sure these aren’t just promises but real, ongoing efforts to make Minnesota a more fair, inclusive, and representative state. By working together, we can boost voter engagement, create more economic opportunities, and build a political future where communities of color have the power and influence they deserve.
