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Hopkins Race & Equity Initiative
About the Hopkins Race & Equity Initiative
The Hopkins Race and Equity Initiative (HREI) is a collaborative effort creating opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of race, equity and diversity and promoting a sense of community that welcomes and values all residents. Partnering organizations include:
- The City of Hopkins
- The Gethsemane Lutheran Church
- The Hopkins Public Schools
- The Police Department
Read more about Race Equity in Hopkins.
Members:
- Alex Fisher: Director of Community Education and Engagement, Hopkins Public Schools
- Ari Lenz: Assistant City Manager, City of Hopkins
- Bill Wells: Diversity Equity and Inclusion Consultant
- Brent Johnson: Chief, Hopkins Police Department
- Donna Anderson: Gethsemane Church
- Dre Jefferson: Facilities Use Coordinator, Hopkins Public Schools
- Erik Husevold: Captain, Hopkins Police Department
- Pastor John Nelson: Gethsemane Church
- Jaleeza Smith-Breedlove: Assistant Director Youth Programs, Hopkins Public Schools
- Julia Ross: Joint Community Police Program Community Liaison, Hopkins Police Department
- Kersten Elverum: Director of Economic Development and Planning City of Hopkins
- Maria Bearre-Boynne: Restorative Justice, Hopkins Public Schools
- Naimo Osman: Deputy City Clerk, City of Hopkins
- PeggySue Imihy Bean: Special Projects and Initiatives Manager, City of Hopkins
- Stanley Brown: Equity and Inclusion Director, Hopkins Public Schools
Upcoming Events
Save the Date: Restorative Practices and Justice - What Is It and How Does It Work?
Wednesday, October 25
6 to 8 p.m.
Eisenhower Community Center Cafeteria
Previous Event Recordings
Our videos can be found on our Facebook Page or Youtube Channel.
Town Hall - Voter Suppression and Ballot Security
October 19, 2022
Panelists included:
- Cheryl Youakim, DFL State Representative Hopkins & St. Louis Park (46B)
- Emma Greenman, DFL State Representative Minneapolis & Richfield (63B)
- David Maeda, Director of Elections, Office of Minnesota Secretary of State
Moderated by Rick Rexroth, Hopkins High School History/Social Studies Teacher
Race & Education: Dynamics and Social Impact (PDF)
May 24, 2021
Keynote Speaker Sondra Samuels presents on the impact of racial disparities on education, followed by a question and answer session moderated by Diversity and Inclusion consultant Bill Wells.
A Community Conversation on Race and Housing
The discussion covered topics including:
- The POWER of the renter
- Building a racially inclusive community
- Working toward housing stability
- The impacts of housing disparities on our community
Panelists included:
- Curt Boganey - Former Brooklyn Center City Manager
- Nelima Sitati Munene - Executive Director, African Career Education and Resource Inc (ACER)
- Derwin George, Realtor, Edina Realty
HREI Town Hall Forum: Community Policing Today
February 18, 2021
A virtual conversation on policing in our local communities, featuring a panelist discussion moderated by Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Bill Wells. Panelists included:
- Brent Johnson, Hopkins Police Chief
- Mike Harcey, St. Louis Park Police Chief
- Scott Boerboom, Minnetonka Police Chief
HREI Presents Jim Crow of the North
September 9, 2020
A special screening and discussion of the TPT documentary, "Jim Crow of the North," revealing the history and impact of racist real estate covenants in the Twin Cities Metro Area. The conversation also included discussion on the future and affordable housing. Panel discussion moderated by Bill Wells featuring:
- Dan Bergin, Producer, Jim Crow of the North;
- Dr. Kirsten Delegard, Project Director, Mapping Prejudice Project;
- Kersten Elverum, Director of Planning & Economic Development City of Hopkins
Racial Disparities: [Not] In my Neighborhood?!
June 29, 2020
Join the Hopkins Race and Equity Initiative for a virtual conversation on racial dispartities in West Metro neighborhoods, featuring a panelist discussion moderated by Bill Wells. Panelists include:
- Al Nuness, Para Professional and Director, Invictus Leadership Group
- Bishop David E. Johnson, Senior Pastor, Grace Apostolic Church
- Kissy Coakley, City Council Member, City of Minnetonka
- Dr. Kirsten Delegard, Director/Co-Founder, Mapping Prejudice Project
- Julia Ross, Joint Community Police Partnership, Hopkins Police Department
- Astein K. Osei, Superintendent, St. Louis Park Public Schools
Partner hosted Events
Gethsemane Lutheran Church is hosting their Summer Town Hall Forums, one of which is hosted by Bill Wells, title "What Racism Costs Everyone and How We can Prosper Together" on July 26 - Flier (PDF)
Give the Gift of a Better Community
To donate, please fill out the Hopkins Race & Equity Initiative Donation Form.
Sign up for updates
To receive updates about the Hopkins Race and Initiative, please sign up for updates.
Grants Awarded
The Hopkins Race and Equity Initiative recently awarded seven micro grants to fund programs designed to engage Hopkins students and community members in projects and activities that align with the initiative’s purpose and goals.
More information about the awards is available here.
Resources
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Julia Ross
Community Outreach LiaisonPhone: 952-548-6428
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Ari Lenz
Assistant City ManagerPhone: 952-548-6303