Research in Action

Hennepin County wants to find ways to prevent family separation and create systems that keep Black and Native families together. That's why we're partnering with them and co-hosting a Town Hall for parents or caregivers who have an open or closed child protection case in the past two years. Participants at the March 27 event will receive $25 for their time and expertise—but registration is required. Sign up by March 25 to be part of this important conversation! Learn more and register at tinyurl.com/OffRamps.

From their years of collective experience, RIA's senior staff know that transformation requires self-awareness, nimbleness and attention to interpersonal growth. In our new blog series — Leadership in Action — we'll showcase how organizations can create transformative change in communities by disrupting standard research practices. This will be a space for candid reflection and engaged curiosity about the types of leadership and community-led practices necessary to further the work of Equity in Action—and we want to hear your perspectives and experiences, as well! Check out our first post, "Grieving and Unlearning: Why did I leave and where did I go?" at https://lnkd.in/gFMg4bZp Did you make a decision to leave a place that didn’t value your contributions, acknowledge your identity, or tokenized you? Please share this post and let's start a conversation in the comments. Together we can break the silences that diminish our potential—and put our authentic leadership into action!

Congratulations to our partners at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation for the release of the 2024 East Metro Pulse Survey Data Book! This week, we joined foundation leaders at a launch panel attended by more than 40 people from nonprofit organizations, state and local government, and higher education institutions to share the importance of impacted community members’ leadership in research. Read more about our recent engagement with SPMF at https://lnkd.in/gbPnPTkq! In the photo, from left: Alfonso Wenker (VP of Community Impact, SPMF), Dr. Madasen Briggs (Lead Junior Research Associate, RIA), Amanda Petersen (Research Scientist, Wilder Research) and Stephanie Peterson (Director of Learning, SPMF)

Right now, Black youth make up just 20% of all residents under 18 years old in Hennepin County — but 34% of child protection cases. Similarly, Native youth make up less than 1% percent of all youth, but 6% of child protection cases. Hennepin County is partnering with Research in Action (RIA) and community-based organizations to find out how to prevent family separation and create systems that keep Black and Native families together. On March 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hennepin County Human Services Building, RIA is hosting a Town Hall for Black or Native American parents or caregivers who have an open or closed child protection case in the past two years. Participants will receive $25 for their time and expertise but registration is required. Learn more and sign up at tinyurl.com/OffRamps

It's time for another Staff Spotlight! Meet Cecely Hoyt, our Data Research Manager and Grant Development Lead! Before coming to RIA in October 2022, Cecely studied Public Health at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health. After graduating in 2019, they worked in healthcare research. They supported projects related to a variety of topics, including equity in the child protective system, affordable childcare, and COVID-19 vaccination. Q: What brings you to this work? Cecely: The most impactful projects I have been part of were those that centered and uplifted the voices and knowledge of communities harmed by structural oppression. I am dedicated to advancing equity and justice through community-centered, antiracist, and participatory research design frameworks and data collection/analysis methods. I desire to support community-led processes in driving large-scale structural shifts that move beyond the acknowledgement of problems toward actionable solutions. Q: What is something you have accomplished at RIA that you are proud of? Cecely: I am proud of so much of what I have accomplished with the RIA team. In particular, I am proud co-creating our guidelines for Research Ethics, Transparency, and Community Accountability, which put dismantling white supremacy culture at the heart of all of our work with communities. Q: What brings you joy outside of work? Cecely: Outside of work, I find joy whenever I am connected to community — whether that's leading my weekly yoga class or spending time with loved ones. Learn more about our team at https://buff.ly/UuBOKR4

Deadline extended! Help us spread the word: Research in Action is seeking a qualified Research Support Specialist to join our growing team! Applications now due March 31. Learn more at https://buff.ly/4fgyZDq

Even the most well-intentioned nonprofits often lack the capacity or skills to create solutions that are directly shaped by the people they seek to serve. With the support of Research in Action, though, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has achieved dramatic improvements in its homeownership and financial coaching program, effectively eliminating the gap between white and Foundational Black Households. Learn how they did it — and the work they're continuing to do — in our new Impact Report! https://buff.ly/43d04DH

At Research in Action, we know that the work of social and racial justice cannot happen without repairing relationships through vulnerable collaboration and power sharing — and creating accountable and actionable pathways to community-directed change. That's what we do through our innovative and proven Equity in Action process model. Learn more in this 2-minute video and our other FAQs; link in bio!

We're excited to share a recent award and transition announcement from our Founder & CEO, Dr. Brittany Lewis! "In December, I was honored to receive the U of M President’s Community-Engaged Scholar Award — and today is my last at the University of Minnesota. In my 8+ years at the UMN, I not only developed valuable skills but encountered the solidarity of colleagues who supported and mentored me in an institution fundamentally inhospitable to many of the principles and practices that I center in my work. Above all, I’m deeply grateful for the unique approach and leadership of the Center for Urban & Regional Affairs - CURA, which was willing to constantly push at the boundaries of the institution to make more space for genuinely engaged research and, more importantly, the authentic voice and leadership of impacted communities. I look forward to continuing my relationship with CURA in the future and uplifting the Equity in Action model nationwide to reclaim the power of research in advancing community-led solutions to racial injustice."

As we continue our leading work to end the epidemic of violence against Black women and girls, we were honored to join The Link for a powerful screening of the VICE News documentary "When Black Girls Go Missing" last week. Marking Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the event brought together key leaders in the movement, including Kaleena Burkes from MN's Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Office, Lakeisha Lee from the Brittany Clardy Foundation, Arlissa Norman from Vice News, Artika Roller from Cornerstone, and Tiffany Roberson from The Link. With healing exercises led by Kamisha Johnson and an expert panel discussion, participants explored the critical intersections of racial justice and trafficking prevention. These vital conversations about disparities in media coverage and law enforcement response are creating real change in how our communities respond to trafficking and missing persons cases. We're excited to continue this work with our partners here in Minnesota and across the nation. #HumanTraffickingPreventionMonth