Proximity North Newsletter #10 – February 2025

It's Black History Month and I'm here for it!

Great Morning Good People!

As we step into Black History Month, we honor the past, embrace the present, and build toward a future that reflects our dreams, resilience, and commitment to community. This month isn’t just about reflection—it’s about action. And that’s exactly what we’re doing with Future Ink.

Dear Community,

As we step through Black History Month, we honor the past, embrace the present, and build toward a future that reflects our dreams, resilience, and commitment to community. This month isn’t just about reflection—it’s about action. And that’s exactly what we’re doing with Future Ink.

But as I think about Black History Month, I also think about the ways we show up—the ways we say we want to honor the past, engage in the present, and build toward a future that actually reflects our values. Right now, action-oriented movements are more needed than ever.

We started this year with frustration and disappointment—watching new executive orders, rulings, and political shifts that continue to impact those who have historically been marginalized. It’s been hard to watch. Some people didn’t know what to do. Some people expected it. And some people? They were already behind the scenes strategizing, figuring out how to navigate this moment.

If you’ve known me long enough, you know exactly where I land: solution-oriented operations. I don’t dwell on the chaos—I focus on what we can do next.

So this newsletter is going to be short because, quite honestly, there’s work to do.

One of my biggest action steps has been bringing this co-working space to life. Many of you have been following the journey as I work to transform a 68,000 sq. ft. building into something powerful. But before we even finish construction, step one is creating an opportunity for all of us to get in the same room, put a vision together, and map out the next phase of action.

That’s what Future Ink is all about!

No matter where you stand politically, no matter how you feel about the shifts happening around us, I know one thing to be true: If you’re part of this newsletter, you care about community. You care about impact. You have resources, influence, and social capital—and together, we can use them to build something that lasts.

So Here’s What I’m Asking You to Do:

1. Think about your contribution. What role are you playing in building the future you say you want?

2. Partner with me. Whether through your time, financial support, or connections—your involvement matters.

3. Don’t stop doing the work. Many of us made commitments after the murder of George Floyd—commitments to equity, to systemic change, to showing up in real ways. That work isn’t finished.

Future Ink is our next step. It’s where we put our vision into words, map out the next phase of action, and make sure that we’re not just reacting to the moment—we’re building for the long haul. We do have some small financial goals we are hoping to hit, so I'll just say that right here: We are hoping to raise $50,000 to fund the first year of rent and programming in the space.

?? Future Ink – February 17th, 9 AM - 11 AM

?? 2518 2nd Street North, Minneapolis, MN 55411

?? Get Involved: [email protected] | 612-598-7236

Let’s move. Let’s build. Let’s make this moment count.

?? Here's the link to register

Reflecting on Target's DEI Rollback: A Call to Action & A Shift in Strategy

Recently, Target announced a significant rollback of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including ending programs like the Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiative and stepping away from external diversity-focused commitments. This move isn’t happening in a vacuum—it follows a broader trend of corporations scaling back DEI efforts due to political and economic pressures.

Honestly, I’m not surprised. If anything, I’m shocked that Target and other brands supported Black-owned businesses and DEI initiatives for as long as they did. Kudos to them for keeping that support going longer than I expected. But here’s where we need to have a real conversation:

The outrage is understandable, but it’s also misguided energy in some ways. We can (and should) be disappointed. We can (and should) hold corporations accountable. But we also can’t afford to only organize in times of crisis or when the media spotlight is on us.

Beyond Protest: A Long-Term Strategy for Economic Power

Instead of only reacting, we should be proactively building, strategizing, and planning—not just in times of desperate need, not just when headlines force us into action, but consistently.

Here’s what that can look like:

1. Shift From Protest to Proactive Economic Power

• National boycotts are effective, but what happens after the moment passes? We need sustainable, long-term investment in Black-owned businesses and community-led economic initiatives.

2. Leverage Our Collective Influence Year-Round

• Where we spend our money matters. If companies feel the loss of Black dollars, they will adjust. But that means we have to be intentional with our economic choices all the time, not just in reaction to bad news.

3. Build & Strengthen Our Own Ecosystems

• We need spaces, funding, and infrastructure that aren’t dependent on corporate goodwill. That’s why initiatives like Future Ink and Proximity Collective exist—because we can’t keep waiting for corporations to decide when we matter.

4. Develop a Playbook for Collective Action

• Instead of scrambling every time a corporation pulls back, we need a blueprint for action—a clear strategy for funding, organizing, and growing Black-owned enterprises and initiatives year-round.

More About Future Ink: A Space Where Vision Meets Action

?? February 17th | 9 AM - 11 AM ?? 2518 2nd Street North, Minneapolis, MN 55411

Future Ink is more than an event—it’s a movement. It’s where faith, vision casting, storytelling, and community-building collide. We’re inviting you to step into a space where dreams are written, partnerships are formed, and futures are built.

? Whether it’s a scripture, a goal, a business idea, or a vision for our community—this is the place to make it known.

This isn’t just about gathering—it’s about taking ownership of the future we want to create.

How You Can Get Involved

1. Show Up & Share Your Vision

Your presence matters. Your dreams matter. Come and be part of this movement. Share your vision, document your goals, and connect with like-minded individuals who are ready to make things happen.

?? Attend and participate in Future Ink (Feb 17th, 9 AM - 11 AM). ?? Spread the word using #FutureInk on social media. ?? Bring a friend who needs inspiration or connection. ?? Write your vision with us—we’ll follow up to celebrate when it becomes reality.

?? Purchase one of the items on our list for the space: (Link isn't working but will send if you ask for it)

2. Become a Founding Member

This isn’t just about one day—it’s about creating something lasting. We’re inviting a select group of Founding Membersto help shape this coworking space and ensure it thrives.

As a Founding Member, you’ll: ? Be part of the core community that builds the foundation of this space. ? Have early access to programs, events, and networking opportunities. ? Be permanently recognized in the Vision Book or Founders’ Wall as a key contributor. ? Get exclusive invites to private planning meetings and updates. ? Play a key role in co-creating a culture of collaboration and impact.

Interested? Sign up at the event or email [email protected] to learn more.

3. Become a Vision Partner

We need businesses, designers, furniture companies, and community leaders to help bring this vision to life.

?? Furniture Donations: Desks, sofas, chairs, conference tables. ?? Design Expertise: Help us create a space that fosters collaboration and productivity. ?? Financial Sponsors: Support key elements of the space and community programming. ?? Community Partners: Help spread the word and connect us with resources.

If you or your organization wants to help build this vision, let’s talk. Email [email protected] to explore partnership opportunities.

Support the Vision – Help Us Raise $50,000

To make this space a reality, we need to raise at least $50,000 to fund renovations, programming, and community impact.

Ways You Can Give: ?? Donate – Whether it’s $5 or $5,000, every contribution makes a difference. [Insert Donation Link] ?? Sponsor – Businesses and individuals can sponsor furniture, rooms, and events. ?? Pledge Your Support – If you can’t give today but want to commit in the future, sign up for our pledge list.

This is more than a fundraiser—it’s about building a space where visions are written, dreams are activated, and lives are changed.

Closing

Normally, I’d leave you with something thought-provoking, but honestly, that’s not what we need right now.

What we need is hope. Perspective. Action.

We’re in interesting times, but that doesn’t mean we should lose hope. This is the moment to lean on the foundation we’ve built—or start building the legacy we want to leave behind.

If you knew me in 2020, you heard me say this over and over: we always knew this moment would come. The question isn’t if challenges would arise—the question is, what will we do with the opportunities in front of us?

We have the chance to build something monumental, something that lasts for generations—but let’s be real: it won’t be easy. If it were easy, it would’ve been done already.

I believe in you. I believe in us. I believe in the people.

Let’s build.

Jesse