Reflections from Sondra: After Jamar, Where Do We Go From Here?

Dear Friends:

As we stand together on the stage of history living out our lives in community, I want to thank each of you for your unwavering belief in the children and families of North Minneapolis. Your partnership with the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) signals that you understand the wellbeing of our city and state is linked to the wellbeing of North Minneapolis families. The current tragic events gripping our city have made this reality even more evident.

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Featured Friend: Tim Manning

Tim Manning believes in the importance of eliminating the racial and socioeconomic disparities that exist in our community. While serving on Mayor Betsy Hodges’ Inaugural Committee, he shared this belief with Kate Mortenson, a long-time Friend and NAZ supporter. She introduced him to NAZ, and he’s been an involved Friend ever since.

“In the four years I had lived in Minneapolis, I attended many events and read many articles touting Minneapolis-St. Paul’s top ranking on lists such as, ‘The Best Restaurant Cities,’ ‘The Healthiest Cities,’ etc.,” Tim says. But there weren’t any parties or happy hours publicizing Minneapolis-St. Paul’s place on another list: Cities with the largest gaps between white children and children of color. “I absolutely believe that NAZ will play a major part in closing those gaps and in moving our city off that second set of lists.”

Tim works as Corporate Counsel for Silver Bay Realty Trust. He also serves on the NAZ Development Committee and the Friends of the Future Leadership Team. He “I believe in investing my time, energy, and money in good causes with smart leaders, strategic vision, and results-driven mindsets. That’s NAZ,” he says. “That’s the Friends of the Future.”

Featured Family: A Parent Taking Leadership of her Child’s Education

Though her daughter Jhanae was diagnosed with a learning disability, NAZ parent Ethrophic Burnett made sure she remained unaware of it. “I wanted her to stay focused on her potential and the possibilities, not on her limitations and assumed future,” she says. Then, shortly before high school graduation, Jhanae discovered her learning disability and became convinced that she was broken.

“She heard a message of don’t try, you’re going to fail anyway,” Ethrophic recalls. “That would make any one of us furious as parents. The sky is the limit!” So together with her NAZ academic coach, Ethrophic encouraged and supported her daughter. They pushed Jhanae to apply herself, and Jhanae, in turn, worked hard, graduating from NAZ Anchor School, Patrick Henry, in spring 2015. She is currently working full-time, and plans on attending MCTC in the spring of 2016 through the Power of You Program.

Ethrophic is dedicated to her daughter’s success and does whatever it takes to support her children to succeed in school and life. She was able to advocate for Jhanae and partnered with the school and her team to ensure her scholar had fair and equal access to her education, and post secondary options.

Ethrophic is committed to the success of the entire Northside community. She works as a Community Engagement Specialist at Urban Homeworks, is a member of the NAZ Parent Advisory Board, and serves on many other boards and committees.

Renew Your Friend of the Future Membership Today

Support future college graduates like Jhanae by continuing your investment in NAZ.

NAZ in the News

	Twin Cities Business – Target And General Mills Pledge $6M To Northside Achievement Zone Read more.
	Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal – Target and General Mills pledge $6M to North Minneapolis nonprofit Read more.
	Insight News – North Minneapolis: Creating the world’s best workforce Read more.

Upcoming Events: Celebrating Community Transformation in Action

Family Academy Celebration & Graduation
Celebrate with NAZ families as they graduate from Family Academy parenting classes—and commit to a college-bound future for all North Minneapolis children!

January 30, 2016 from 2-4 p.m.
Patrick Henry High School auditorium
4320 Newton Ave. N.
Food and beverages served after ceremony.

RSVP Today!

Keep an eye on the Friends of the Future website for upcoming events.