Economist. Cultural Entrepreneur. Economic Empowerment. Tweeting my private views
Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Joined July 2009
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100 + performers, 4 festivals, 3 fashion shows..music from drums to Line Dancing, collaborative canvas - a welcoming space for all #mnstatefair #culturaldestinations
The State Fair held the first Cultural Destinations Day, which featured traditions, music, art and dance tied to some of Minnesota’s cultural festivals. kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/…
$1.4 trillion dollars- ALANA communities economic contributions in Minnesota - my estimate.
Cultural Destinations celebrates #mnstatefair being top in the nation
We know it @USATODAY
Visit Cultural Destinations Boutique — Shop Local. Discover the World @mnstatefair International Bazaar and Sunday Sept 6, Dan Patch Park 9-5 pm - Many Rhythms. One Celebration- day of music, dance lessons, festivals, fashion shows…
10best.usatoday.com/awards/m…
For a moment let us contemplate the beauty of our world and try to build and not destroy... (picture from Nasa.gov).
Neighborhood tax credits, shop local, make it easier to do business #mnleg
Do good neighbors make good economies? Minnesota could be a test case mprnews.org/story/2026/03/30… Could Minnesota's "social capital"--the trust and informal connections that brought people together during “Operation Metro Surge”-- be a platform for building a stronger economy.
Do Good Neighbors Make Good Economies? I loved being part of the conversation with @cfarrellecon on @MPRnews and shared ideas around a neighborhood tax credit that local neighborhoods could use, along with a buy local and incentives for small businesses to revive and grow. #mnleg #NieghborhoodTaxCredit #ShopLocal #SmallBiz #Minnesota
mprnews.org/story/2026/03/30…
Testimony to MN Legislature on the Cancelling of Little Africa Fest - For 13 years, Little Africa Fest has helped fuel the local economy, generating nearly $4 million in impact while bringing joy, culture, and customers to the Little Africa corridor. Led by AEDS, the festival is part of the Cultural Destinations model—where culture helps communities thrive and small businesses build wealth. This year, the festival was cancelled and funds were redirected to emergency grants for struggling businesses. Necessary, yes—but it also marks a shift from celebration to survival, putting at risk more than a decade of progress in community building, visibility, and economic growth.#LittleAfricaFest #ICEsurge #SupportSmallBusiness #CulturalDestinations #SaintPaul #communitywealth @LittleAfricaMN #mnleg youtu.be/NfBWstBTPro
5 Tools to Jumpstart the Immigrant Economy in Minnesota youtu.be/GQTlcTtwvaM #mnleg
According the the Annual Business Survey, 2023 - for 98.8 percent of all employer firms and 92.5 percent of all non employer businesses in Minnesota - the owner of the business is a citizen. #mnleg
empoweringstrategies.org/reb…
As we rebuild the devasted immigrant economy - here is some data for smart policy for immigrant businesses in Minnesota. Immigrant businesses have become a core part of the Minnesota economy across counties and sectors. The urgency to act is real.
empoweringstrategies.org/reb…
#immigrantbusiness #ICEinMN #mnleg
Shared on @KSTP with #KamariaBraye consequences of decline in immigrant business and workforcd including on local and federal taxes and a #BuyLocal strategy to jumpstart the economy - kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/… #immigrantbusiness #BuyLocal
ALANA workers help support around $200 billion produced in the MN economy- around 40 percent of the economy. 1 in 5 workers are ALANA.
Shared some data on how #ICE activity impacts the #Minnesota economy on @WCCO
cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/m… #mnleg
Shared some data on how #ICE activity impacts the #Minnesota economy on @WCCO
cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/m… #mnleg
Bruce Corrie retweeted
Somali Minnesotans generate at least $500 million in income annually and pay about $67 million in state and local taxes. kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/…
