A COMMUNITY BUILDING CONFERENCE . MPLS, MN
We are One South.
This year, the Southside Summit is dedicated to the emerging initiative One South – A Project of Southside United Neighborhoods.
Alongside seven other neighborhood organizations, this initiative seeks to unlock a new era of collaboration that furthers efficacy, efficiency, and sustainability in how community-centered civic engagement helps enliven South Minneapolis over the next few decades.
A NEW ERA
OF COLLABORATION
2024 Artist
Joe Davis
Joe Davis is an award-winning spoken word artist and bestselling author who uses poetry to power possibility.
He is the founder and director of Finding Your Freedom Practice, an artist collective teaching holistic health and wellness practices through spoken word, writing, music, theater, film, and dance. Joe holds a Master of Arts degree in Theology of the Arts and also heads a multimedia production company, a soul-funk band, and a racial justice education program. His work has been featured on BET, MPR, CNN, VH1, and the Twin Cities CW.
Based in Minneapolis, he tours internationally to join schools, faith spaces, nonprofits, businesses, and correctional facilities to practice envisioning and embodying a world of collective liberation and human flourishing. To connect, book, or learn more, visit JoeDavisPoetry.com.
2024 Panelists
Alicia D. Crudup
Alicia serves as the Executive Director at Kids 'n Kinship, where her extensive expertise and dedication to community building comes to life. Her work is centered on fostering meaningful relationships in diverse communities, driven by her belief that collaboration and understanding are key to creating lasting change. Alicia’s skills in outreach and education, event planning, public and nonprofit collaboration, and grant writing have been instrumental in advancing the mission of Kids 'n Kinship.
As a dedicated youth development professional, Alicia is deeply committed to empowering young people and advocating for racial justice and reconciliation. During the civil unrest of 2020, she emerged as a key leader, guiding efforts to address systemic inequities and promote healing within her community. Her previous role as Vice President of the Minneapolis Park Board further highlights her dedication to public service and community engagement.
Rachel Boeke
Rachel’s background is in direct-action organizing with a passion for driving social change through program advocacy, volunteer engagement, event planning and public policy development. She is currently serving as the Executive Director for LeadMN, which works to ensure accessible, quality, and affordable public higher education while providing students with representation, leadership development, and communication across the state.
She joined the LeadMN team from the Longfellow Community Council. As their Executive Director, she focused on equitable engagement to establish intentional and meaningful community building efforts that ensured elected officials and decision makers were putting the priorities of their citizens first.
Brandon Long
Prior to serving as NENA’sExecutive Director, he served in the same role with the Union Park District Council in St. Paul. Brandon served as an elected At-Large board member of the Highland District Council on their engagement committee and helped found the neighborhood non-profit Sustain Ward 3 (now Sustain Saint Paul). He is also a graduate of Neighborhoods Now!, the grassroots organizing training program through the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) at the University of Minnesota. With a history of proactive leadership and community involvement, Brandon is helping to further NENA’s goals to promote neighborhood connections and implement its current strategic plan.
Eric Gustafson
Eric Gustafson moved to the Corcoran neighborhood in 2003 as Hiawatha Light Rail (now known as the Blue Line) was beginning operation. He was recruited by neighbors who were organizing to implement plans for a new transit village anchored by a newly-launched farmers market on Lake Street. Eric joined the effort as a volunteer, and went on to work for the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization (CNO) for 12 years in various staff roles including executive director. Eric’s work with renters, coalition building, and systems change led him from CNO deep into tenant-landlord policy and work to protect Twin Cities renters. Eric currently leads Hennepin County’s anti-displacement work with communities impacted by the Blue Line Extension light rail project.
