COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Pay Attention! believes that one path to racial understanding is through community engagement — building relationships, fostering dialogue, and mobilizing collective action. We offer some ways to begin:
Volunteer time and skills or give money to organizations that work for racial justice.
Patronize businesses owned by people of color. These enterprises strengthen the economy, celebrate diverse cultures, and build equity for the owners.
Connect with the Rondo Community. Support initiatives that preserve its legacy and rejuvenate its neighborhood.
“We've come a long way, but we still have a distance to go before all of our citizens embrace the idea of a truly interracial democracy, what I like to call the Beloved Community, a nation at peace with itself.”
~ John Lewis
ORGANIZATIONS
This resource highlights organizations that are involved with racial justice work. Your contributions — whether through donations, mentorship, advocacy, or sharing your professional expertise — are part of a broader movement. By supporting these organizations, you are helping to challenge ongoing racism, uplift marginalized communities, and build a more just and inclusive future.
Organizations are grouped in the following categories:
Minority-Owned Businesses
Family and Community Support
Arts/Culture
Voting
Housing
Education
Criminal Justice Reform
Human Rights/Immigration
Environment
Reparations/Restorative Justice
Catholic Ministries
Other Organizations
BUSINESSES OWNED
BY PEOPLE OF COLOR
Supporting businesses in our community that are owned by people of color is more than a transaction — it’s an investment in social justice and equity. It helps to close the racial wealth gap, strengthen local economies, create jobs, foster community development, and promote diversity and innovation within the broader economy.
Black-Owned Businesses
Where to Support Black-Owned Businesses in the Twin Cities (A list created by Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine)
Black-Owned Businesses (A list maintained by Do Good Roseville)
The Black Market (A monthly marketplace, welcoming to all. Located near the intersection of Highways 280 and 94)
Minnesota Black Box (Sells gift boxes filled with products from African American entrepreneurs)
Indigenous-Owned Businesses
Indigenous-Owned Businesses to Support (A list created by Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine)
Latino Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota
Minority Business Growth Alliance
https://www.minoritybusinessgrowth.org/volunteer (A way to share your business knowledge by providing guidance and strategic advice to business owners)
FREE PRESENTATION
FOR YOUR GROUP!
The Racial Justice Ministry (RJM) of the St. Odilia Catholic Community has collaborated with two local historians to create the presentation: Unfinished Business: Understanding Racism’s Past to Shape a Better Future.
This free presentation is 2 hours: The first half reviews the African American experience (i.e., Slavery > Reconstruction > Jim Crow > Civil Rights Era > Systemic Racism Today). The second half is an active discussion with the audience, including ways to take action.
The historical part of the presentation was crafted by Dr. James Brewer Stewart, late Macalester College Professor of History and Dr. David Williard, Associate Professor of History at the University of St. Thomas.
Professor Williard presents the history and assists the RJM members in facilitating the discussion, which includes a Q&A segment. Of those who have attended this presentation, 97.5% recommend it for their relatives, friends, and neighbors.
The attached flyer provides more information. If you have any questions about this presentation or would like to discuss scheduling this presentation, please email RJM@stodilia.org.
ENGAGEMENT CREATES UNDERSTANDING
… and understanding decreases separation. Seeking out opportunities for relationships and experiences with people and communities different from one’s own is a vital part of building beloved community.
