I was encouraged to learn that several community leaders met last year to discuss how we can accelerate small business growth and continue to rebuild our communities in 2024. We know that catalyzing education for children and adults, especially in low-income communities, is essential if we hope to reshape the reality of what can be accomplished within the Twin Cities.
However, there is a pattern that sees the policies that our communities must advance lost in a heap of priorities in our fast-moving news cycle – especially during a presidential election. Thankfully, Minnesota’s non-profit community has grown vastly in our interconnectedness throughout the years.
Through a coalition of community leaders and non-profit support in the Twin Cities working with elected officials, we have an opportunity to keep our concerns at the forefront of next year’s larger election conversation if we have proactive conversations on the direction of our state’s political discourse and priorities.
For example, we have spoken about how our nonprofit organizations can further educate low-income communities on the many affordable digital tools online that can be used to get ahead. Folks must understand that there are pathways to obtaining affordable credit and debt counseling, a low-cost education, or a certification from the comfort of their computer — or mobile phone if needed. We must double down on our work to educate our neighbors about the many avenues for advancement available online, empowering Minnesotans with the tools to secure quality employment opportunities and grow our local economy.
We also highlighted the importance of not getting distracted from the issues that matter most in our state. As the 2024 election cycle picks up, there will undoubtedly be a myriad of issues that percolate to the top of the conversation that risk derailing the policy priorities that our collective hopes to accomplish. As some issues — tech among them — become politicized, we would much prefer to see legislators ground their approach to fighting for the people by taking on more salient priorities — whether that be advancing racial equity in America’s workforce or finally addressing predatory home lending policies and the lineages of redlining that have broken up our communities.
This is shaping up to be a big year for Minnesota’s coalition of like-minded non-profit organizations. Suppose we start our work today by having critical conversations regarding the changes that our communities require. In that case, we can keep our policies in the hearts and minds of decision-makers across our state, shining as an example to non-profit collectives across the nation.
Robbie Droddy is a Twin Cities nonprofit advocate.
