The Partnership
Creating Connections for Relocated Professionals of Color
WHAT IS THE PARTNERSHIP?
Research shows that professionals of color who relocate to Minneapolis St. Paul find it difficult to connect with the community, feel at home and develop a strong peer and professional network. In fact, many choose to leave the region within two years of arriving! To address this, several companies worked together to create The Partnership. Modeled on successful diversity retention programs around the country, the program is administered by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Partnership is designed to help retain professionals of color in our companies and in our community! Participants in The Partnership meet other community and business leaders of color, learn about the region and develop a personal and professional network of peers. This network provides support and connections to help transplants become part of our community. The Partnership includes a series of six half-day sessions featuring interactive discussions with established executives of color, presentations on key community issues, behind-the-scenes tours and two social events, all designed to provide numerous opportunities to form new relationships with other transplants and long-time residents.
WHAT ARE THE PARTICIPANT BENEFITS?
- Provides transplants with the opportunity to establish relationships with civic leaders and other people of color
- Provides relocated professionals with access to resources to help them acclimate to their new home town and feel more at home and therefore, more likely to stay here
- Shortens the learning curve of understanding Minneapolis Saint Paul’s economic, civic, political, cultural, entertainment and educational landscape
WHAT ARE THE COMPANY BENEFITS?
- Companies reduce turnover costs and improve return on investment for relocated hires
- Employers build a more diverse workforce as more professionals of color choose to remain in the community
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Professionals of color who have relocated to Minneapolis St. Paul within the past five years and who have significant business experience and responsibilities and are recognized leaders within their organization. Generally participants are at middle-to-senior levels within their companies.
WHAT COMPANIES ARE INVOLVED?
The pilot project included representatives from; 3M, Ameriprise, Best Buy, Cargill, Ecolab, HealthPartners, SuperValu, Target, US Bank, Wells Fargo and Xcel Energy. The Partnership is made possible through a grant from the Minneapolis Foundation.
FEE: Chamber members: $2,000 for six half-day sessions and two”after-hours” social events produced by Mpls/St. Paul magazine. Non-members: $2,500
DATES: Participants are required to attend all sessions. Sessions run from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. and there is an optional networking social hour following each session.
The fourth Tuesday of each month
Tuesday, February 23
Tuesday, March 23
Tuesday, April 27
Tuesday, May 25
Tuesday, June 22
CURRICULUM:
The Partnership sessions will engage participants in an orientation of the Minneapolis Saint Paul region through dialog with community leaders. Each session includes a roundtable with long-time executives of color and candid discussions about the challenges and opportunities within their work environment. The Partnership includes two tours of the region focusing on history, diversity and economic development.
Past presenters have included Peter Bell, Chair, Metropolitan Council; Rick Shiomi, Artistic Director, Mu Performing Arts; Jack Reuler, Founder, Mixed Blood Theater; Sandra Vargas, Minneapolis Foundation President; Atum Azzahir, Executive Director, Elder Consultant in African ways of knowing and Board Chair, Midtown Global Market; Ramon Leon, Founder & Executive Director, Latino Economic Development Corporation; Yvonne Cheung Ho, President & CEO, Metropolitan Economic Development Association; Gloria Perez Jordan, Executive Director, The Jeremiah Program; Mayor Chris Coleman, City of Saint; Mayor R.T. Rybak, City of Minneapolis; Matt Kramer, Governor Pawlenty’s Chief of Staff; Lee Buckley, The Governor’s Council on Faith and Community Service Initiatives; Sharon Sayles Belton, former Mayor of Minneapolis; State Senator Mee Moua; Ellis Bullock, President, Grotto Foundation.
2010 Partnership Session Themes:*
- About the Region-Who, What, Why and Where Minnesota Politics 101
- The Arts and Culture Scene
- Minding the Gap in Education
- Multiculturalism in The Region
- Connecting to Community: Volunteerism in Minneapolis-St. Paul
- Been There, Done That: Roundtable discussion with executives of color who have been in Minnesota for more than five years
*(from 5-6 after each session there will be a social, and spouse/ partners are invited to join the class)
For more information, please email Melanie Allen, Partnership Program Director.