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UBUNTU Consulting’s Social and Racial Equity Study

Inclusive Moorhead

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to gather information from historically underrepresented groups in Moorhead that can be used to formulate actions to be taken to advance social and racial equity. Additionally, a secondary goal is to develop new opportunities for participation by community members in the Resilient Moorhead Project. The focus was on gathering information about how members of minority groups experience life in Moorhead, their views of government and other key institutions in Moorhead, and their ideas about what should be done to advance social and racial equity.

Groups Engaged

Nine populations were identified. A leader of each minoritized group was invited to collaborate in carrying out the listening session(s) for their group. The listening sessions were recorded so that all of the rich data could be used in developing a report. The involved groups were:  

  1. African American/Blacks

  2. Kurdish

  3. LGBTQ

  4. Latinx

  5. Moorhead Public Housing Authority Residents

  6. Native Americans

  7. People living with disabilities 

  8. Somali

  9. Sudanese (North and South)

Summary of Results

Approach

The 57-page Listening Sessions Report contains an extremely rich set of information, insights, and ideas provided by members of marginalized groups in Moorhead. The report presents a list of concerns and issues, with illustrative stories. The report also provides extensive information on participants’ experiences with and ideas about civic engagement. Lastly, the report catalogs participants’ insights about what can be changed and how they can be involved.

 

As would be expected, the report focuses on issues and problems, even as participants did make note of the wide variety of positive aspects of the community.

 

Lack of civic engagement

Underrepresented populations are absent or minimal across most areas of civic engagement.    Reasons include: lack of trust, historical lack of responsiveness, lack of transparency, not being hosted in welcoming spaces or at welcoming times, not supporting people with families, now knowing how or where to engage, not feeling welcome, not being open to honest discussion, victim blaming, and unfriendly participation processes (too formal).  

 

Key themes throughout the study

  1. Lack of trust in community leaders

  2. Lack of transparency about how information is used and actions taken 

  3. Need for more community education about racial and cultural issues

  4. Amplified negative impact of COVID 19 on under-represented populations

  5. Lack of access to financial resources by under-represented groups

Recommendations for Action from UBUNTU

Relationship Building

  1. Build leadership energy for action

  2. Improve policy, procedure and practice

  3. Implement human resources assessments

  4. Expand educational opportunities and resources

  5. Improve the awareness and importance of inclusion

  6. Improve power sharing in planning, access to resources and decision making

  7. Improve access and engagement of under-represented communities

  8. Expand social and racial justice interfaith initiatives

Community sectors where work is needed:

  1. Local Government

  2. Law Enforcement

  3. School Systems

  4. Non-profits

  5. Business Community 

  6. Healthcare Systems

  7. Religious Organizations

The full report includes additional context behind the findings in the summary. Positive and negative attributes related to Moorhead and additional potential opportunities for action are also outlined. Please click below for access to the report.

What We've Accomplished

September 2022 - April 2024

  • Completed balanced scorecard with strategies and key performance metrics around the four priority areas

  • Leveraged $6,000 worth of in kind support 

  • More than 60 participants engaged and over 140 volunteer hours 

  • 20+ organizations working together

  • Awarded grant for approximately $100K in partnership with Clay County from the Minnesota Department of Health - Health Equity to fund IM strategies

  • Awarded $20,000 by West Central Initiative Resilient Community Grant

  • Kicked off the Positive Community Norms Photography Project

  • Held Quarterly Gatherings 

  • Organized 17 organizations to participate in the Greater Moorhead Days Parade

  • Established a Governance Committee to direct the activities of Inclusive Moorhead 

  • Started the Positive Community Norms Project

  • Welcoming America Network Member

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