A Focused Conversation to launch Philanthrofund’s Racial Equity Initiative helping strengthen, support & identify GLBT leaders of color conversation takes place on Wednesday, February 20, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Marnita’s Table, located at 2136 Penn Ave. South, Minneapolis MN 55405.  Expect to be enlivened, engaged and to have fun.  We'll be having dinner as well.  If you are receiving this invitation you have been identified as someone who may have an interest in growing leadership capacity for GLBT communities of color or know someone who does.

 

Background:

Celebrating and strengthening GLBT communities in the Upper Midwest, PFund Foundation (Philanthrofund) has hired Marnita’s Table to convene two focused conversations over the next few months.  We hope you attend our peer-to-peer exchange between GLBT and allied individuals of color interested in growing leadership capacity on behalf of themselves and other GLBT individuals of color.

 

In addition to a great meal, our first conversation will be a working session aimed at creating the framework and identifying leadership from, by and for GLBT communities of color.  This is a truly unique opportunity to build capacity to meet the specific needs of communities of color. 

What is your vision of leadership?  How can PFund help you strengthen your leadership skills most effectively?  What are the greatest needs in GLBT communities of color?  How can PFund learn from communities of color?

 

The Racial Equity Initiative (REI) represents a major investment in both money and time on the part of PFund as they build the groundwork for the REI over the next four years.

 

The REI seeks to: 

 

1. identify, support and build skills of people of color  who demonstrate leadership in  GLBT communities;
   

2. encourage and support such individuals in stand-alone new and existing GLBT organizations of color in the upper Midwest;
   

3. increase PFund’s grant-making to stand-alone GLBT organizations by and for GLBT communities of color;
   

4. establish a permanent leadership program;
   

5. support existing autonomous organizations serving GLBT members of communities of color and strengthen their operational effectiveness
   

 

The REI is being funded by PFund in concert with a matching funds grant from Funders for Gay & Lesbian Issues. PFund has engaged Marnita’s Table to facilitate the process and identify, through your voices and input, leadership needs of GLBT individuals in communities of color.

  

Your Role:

 

1. Listen and share ideas for developing GLBT leaders among communities of color;
   

2. Help us develop a vision for leadership from the Twin Cities, Greater Minnesota, and Upper Midwest;
   

3. Talk about barriers to success;
   

4. Suggest effective leadership training modalities;
   

5. Identify potential recipients of future PFund grants.
   

 

What to Expect at Marnita’s Table

 

Known for igniting enduring cross-cultural connection through intentional social interaction, Marnita’s Table is in a private family home in the Kenwood neighborhood of Minneapolis.  Experts at social capital building, this year we’ve welcomed over 1,100 people from around the world and the around the way to find common ground while breaking bread.

 

If you would like to learn more about Marnita’s Table, go to marnitastable.org.

Inclusion:

This process is very inclusive, although we are at this time limiting participation to GLBT and allied individuals who self-identify as members of a community of color. If you know of someone else who should be invited to participate in PFund’s REI, please e-mail Marnita at marnita@marnitastable.org or Carl at carl@marnitastable.org, or call us at 6t12.928.7744.

 

best, Marnita Schroedl, Catalyst & Carl Goldstein, Executive Director of Marnita’s Table on behalf of the board and executive staff of PFund.

 

Marnita's Table:  Igniting enduring Cross Cultural connections through intentional social interaction, is a 501(c)3 non-profit.

 

Directions to:

 

Marnita's Table

(home of Carl Goldstein & Marnita Schroedl)

2136 Penn Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN  55405

612.928.7744 (home office phone)

612.377.4352 (home phone)

612.578.7744 (cell phone)

 

We are in the Kenwood Neighborhood in Minneapolis.  Situated at the north end of Lake of the Isles, it is a short ¼ block north of Lake of the Isles Parkway on the west side of Penn Avenue.  This portion of Penn Avenue cannot be easily reached via Penn Avenue off the 394. 

 

From downtown Mpls:

Hennepin S to Right on Franklin Ave W, go about 9 blocks till you see Kenwood School/Rec Ctr on left, Kenwood Park on right, then Left on Penn Ave S to just before end of second block; house is on right side.

 

From Western Suburbs:

394 E to Dunwoody/Hennepin exit; Right on Hennepin/Lyndale, stay on Henn when H/L split (Walker Art Museum is on right); Right on Franklin Ave W, go about 9 blocks till you see Kenwood School/Rec Ctr on left, Kenwood Park on right, then Left on Penn Ave S to just before end of second block; house is on right side.

 

From St. Paul:

94W to Hennepin Lyndale exit, follow sign for Hennepin South to first traffic light, turn Right on Franklin Ave W, go about 9 blocks till you see Kenwood School/Rec Ctr on left, Kenwood Park on right, then Left on Penn Ave S to just before end of second block; house is on right side.

 

From the North:

94E to Hennepin-Lyndale exit; follow Hennepin South past the Walker Art Museum to Right on Franklin Ave W, go about 9 blocks till you see Kenwood School/Rec Ctr on left, Kenwood Park on right, then Left on Penn Ave S to just before end of second block; house is on right side.

 

From the South:

35W North to 94 W to Hennepin Lyndale exit, follow sign for Hennepin South to first traffic light, turn Right on Franklin Ave W, go about 9 blocks till you see Kenwood School/Rec Ctr on left, Kenwood Park on right, then Left on Penn Ave S to just before end of second block; house is on right side.