The East African Muslim community in Minnesota confronts challenges, including underrepresentation in governance, discrimination, and a rise in hate crimes. This initiative tackles these issues by encouraging more active community involvement, working to improve how the public perceives the community, and creating better opportunities for housing and youth development.

The Citizens Academy program is strategically designed to leverage research and narrative tools so that the participants can engage in fulfilling conversations within their networks. Additionally, it equips them to articulate their own narratives through mainstream media channels, thereby influencing the prevailing discourse. The inclusivity contributes to involving marginalized minority groups often excluded from decision-making tables.

One of the core aims is to actively engage one thousand individual leaders from Minnesota’s East African and Muslim communities in the next year. This targeted involvement is going to create a cascading effect, reaching thousands across the state. The interconnectivity of these communities enhances the potential for broad influence and desirable outcomes.

• Augmented participation in democratic processes
• Elevated financial literacy
• Strengthened community voices
• Enhanced housing options
• Proficient youth programs across the state of Minnesota
• Decreased Islamophobia and improved public perception
  
  

A pivotal outcome will be the improved comprehension of democratic rights, empowering individuals to adeptly advocate for community issues at both local and state levels.