Minnesota Education Equity Partnership (MnEEP)

Dear MnEEP members, partners, friends, and advocates: As this national election season finally comes to an end, we extend our deepest gratitude to each of you who engaged, supported, and uplifted the work of leaders dedicated to building a more racially just future for all. Your critical work in and around this election reminds us of the strength we hold as individuals and the power we gain when we stand together—when we uplift and honor each other’s humanity. We also recognize that for many of you the results bring a heightened sense of uncertainty, fear, and heartbreak.?In moments like these, we must hold each other closer, reaching out to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to racial justice, solidarity, and the profound responsibility of caring for each other. Now, more than ever, our work to advance racial equity in education takes on renewed urgency, and we are steadfast in standing with you in this vital endeavor. Elections may try to shape our paths, erect barriers, or tear down what we’ve built. Yet, in our work together, we have shown that it is?we?who know how to forge our own way—to nurture, enrich, and sustain it with commitment and purpose toward racial equity and a?just future for each and every person in Minnesota. It is our communities, our coalitions, and our unwavering resolve to honor People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) students and one another that carry us forward. Each of us plays a vital role, and together, we don’t just follow a path—we shape it, grow it, and transform it into a vision of what can be. We are?Wayfinders, not merely seeking a way forward, but?building paths?with purpose, care, and love,?knowing that racial equity in education is more than the absence of racial disparities; it is a journey from hope to justice. Together, we are shaping not only a direction but a future—rooted in our shared commitment to racial justice, community, and liberation for all people. We hope you will join us online on Wednesday, December 11th, from 10 am-12:00 pm, for our annual meeting,?Wayfinding Together,?where we will honor our common work, celebrate our POCI communities, and hear from MnEEP’s inspiring and powerful 2024 Ron McKinley Award Winners and racial justice leaders as we build on and nurture our path forward together. Thank you for your steadfast solidarity, your powerful advocacy, and your vital voice in this movement.?Through our shared commitment, we can transform Minnesota into a place where racial equity in education is not a promise, but a fully realized reality for each and every student and community across the state. We are honored to be in community with you and look forward to sharing space and deepening our solidarity on December 11th! In solidarity, The MnEEP Team https://lnkd.in/gwmjzfrf ?

Exciting news! MnEEP is thrilled to welcome two new race equity leaders to our team! Tambryanna Williams, MPA joins MnEEP as the Director for College Race Equity, bringing a powerful blend of higher education expertise, policy analysis, and community engagement to this new role. Janett Casillas will serve as MnEEP's Director for Research & Emerging Multilingual Learner (EML) Network, brining to MnEEP her expertise in qualitative research strategy, project management, and dedication to racial equity in education. Check out the post to learn more about them and our work at MnEEP to advance racial equity in education in Minnesota! https://lnkd.in/gUMRBEfC

We are so honored to receive this recognition alongside such powerful leaders and organizations! This award is more than a recognition of the progress we’ve made in advancing racial equity in education through meaningful collaborations; it underscores the transformative power that bold, community-led solutions can have in creating a racially just, inclusive, and equitable education system for all students. This is a recognition of the work our partners do alongside us every day—communities, educators, administrators, advocates, students, districts, and higher-ed institutions coming together to build an education system where the humanity of POCI students is honored and celebrated in all education spaces, and the racial disparities and disproportionalities in student outcomes are eliminated. This is how we build a stronger, racially just Minnesota where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We are proud and grateful to share this honor with you, and thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in advancing racial equity in education in Minnesota!

BIG NEWS! MnEEP Honored with 2024 Bush Prize! https://lnkd.in/d9gX6GPY We’re thrilled?to share that Minnesota Education Equity Partnership (MnEEP) has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Bush Prize, alongside powerful organizations Green Card Voices and Mni Sota Fund! This award is more than a recognition of the progress we’ve made together in advancing racial equity in education; it underscores the transformative power that bold, community-led solutions can have in creating a racially just, inclusive, and equitable education system for all students. With this prize, we have an incredible opportunity to expand our impact, strengthen partnerships, and mobilize more race equity leaders through our Race Equity Training Center—driving the systemic changes needed to build a racially just Minnesota where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. *This recognition belongs to all of us.* The Bush Prize is a celebration of our shared innovation—communities, educators, administrators, advocates, students, districts, and higher-ed?institutions coming together to build an education system that uplifts and values the human dignity of all people. Together, we will continue shaping our education system to reflect and honor the assets of our diverse POCI communities, ensuring that education becomes a powerful pathway to liberation and opportunity for each student. We are grateful for your support and look forward to advancing this vital work alongside you! Learn more about MnEEP, our Race Equity Training Center, toolkits, resources, networks, and more, and let us know how we can support you in advancing racial equity in your classrooms, schools, districts, and higher-ed institutions. https://www.mneep.org/

MnEEP is looking for two people dedicated to advancing racial equity in education to join our team! We're seeking a College Racial Equity Initiative Coordinator and an Events and Strategic Logistics Coordinator to support our mission to transform systems, structures, and public narratives to advance race equity and excellence in education. We envision a racially just society in which each student achieves their full potential. Led by People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) thought leaders and experts, MnEEP uses a race equity lens to develop and advance networks, practices, research, and policies to dismantle racism in education and build a more just, equitable Minnesota. Join us! https://lnkd.in/g-AXiwUB ?

MnEEP is looking for two people dedicated to advancing racial equity in education to join our team! We're seeking a College Racial Equity Initiative Coordinator and an Events and Strategic Logistics Coordinator to support our mission to transform systems, structures, and public narratives to advance race equity and excellence in education. We envision a racially just society in which each student achieves their full potential. Led by People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) thought leaders and experts, MnEEP uses a race equity lens to develop and advance networks, practices, research, and policies to dismantle racism in education and build a more just, equitable Minnesota. Join us! https://lnkd.in/g-AXiwUB ?

Grateful to the folks at MENTOR Minnesota for inviting MnEEP Executive Director Carlos Mariani Rosa and MnEEP Policy Fellow Leiataua Susuga Leiataua Dr. Robert Jon Peterson, M.P.P. to share knowledge about policy advocacy for race equity during Professional Development Day! Honored to share space with you all!

Help advance racial equity and educational excellence for Minnesota's English Leaners! Apply today to join the EL Task Force, and share your insights, expertise, and experiences for building an education system that supports success for all EL students. The?Minnesota?Department of?Education, in collaboration with PELSB, is seeking Task Force members for the?English Learner (EL) Task Force. The?EL Task Force?was established by the legislature during the 2024 legislative session. The purpose of the EL Task Force is to analyze how public schools use EL revenue at the site level and administrative level, consider how micro-credentials or other certifications may be used to improve collaboration between teachers working with ELs, and make recommendations on how EL revenue can be used more effectively to help students become proficient in English and participate meaningfully and equally in?education?programs. Applications must be received by July 12, 2024. MDE is seeking applicants for this new task force in each of the following categories: *one member who represents?school?boards; *one member who represents the superintendents; *one member who is a teacher of English learners; *one member who is a teacher in a state-approved alternative program; *one member who is a director of an English learner program in a?school?district; *one member who is a director of a state-approved alternative program; *one member who is a parent of a student identified as an English learner; *one member who is a parent liaison to families of English learners in a?school?district; *one member who is a parent of a student enrolled in a state-approved alternative program; *one member from a community organization that works with families of English learners. Learn more and apply today! https://lnkd.in/gkYuN4G4

?? Calling all higher-ed faculty, staff, and students! We hope to see you on Monday, April 29th, for a FREE event: *Racial Equity In Action: Building Campuses of Belonging* Part of our free higher-ed series Collaborating for Collaborating for Racial Equity in Higher Education Co-hosted by MnEEP & Minnesota State Light breakfast and lunch will be provided! Space is limited! So REGISTER NOW! https://lnkd.in/gkaa27GB TIME: 9:30am-1:30pm LOCATION: Minnesota State systems office;?Wells Fargo Place;?30 E. 7th St, St. Paul ABOUT THE EVENT: "Racial Equity in Action: Building Campuses of Belonging," a spring convening co-hosted by MnEEP and Minnesota State, aims to foster transformative conversations and insights that extend beyond the traditional boundaries of “diversity and inclusion” to prioritize belonging and racial equity as foundational pillars of Minnesota's higher education system. This collaborative convening offers an essential opportunity for higher education leaders, faculty, staff, students, and advocates to forge powerful cross-sector collaborations; build meaningful connections; and gain the collective knowledge, skill, and will essential for advancing racial equity, belonging, and academic success for students who are people of color and Indigenous (POCI).

I'd like to thank each of the advocates who have been partnering with MnEEP to help inform Legislators on the importance of supporting English Learners and ESL staff in Minnesota. It's an honor to work alongside each of you. Thank you also to all of the Legislative staff who help to make MnEEP's policy advocacy possible. I appreciate you more than you know!